Bright, fresh, and bursting with flavor, this Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a refreshing hug on a plate. It’s effortless to make, colorful, and absolutely packed with textures and tastes that just sing together.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe is a total crowd-pleaser and one of those dishes I always come back to when I want something healthy yet indulgent. It’s perfect for summer, potlucks, or simply when you want a salad that feels anything but boring.
- Fresh, vibrant ingredients: The combination of creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, and crisp cucumbers creates a perfect harmony of flavors and textures.
- Simple to prepare: It comes together in about 15 minutes and requires no cooking, which makes it great for quick lunches or last-minute gatherings.
- Versatile and customizable: With options to switch up herbs, add proteins, or include other veggies, you can easily make it your own.
- A perfect balance of tangy and creamy: The red wine vinegar dressing complements the richness of avocado and the salty feta beautifully.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This salad thrives on the freshness of each element. When shopping, I always look for ripe but firm avocados, plump cherry tomatoes, and crisp cucumbers. The feta adds a touch of salty creaminess that ties it all together wonderfully.
- Avocado: Adds rich creaminess and healthy fats, plus a buttery texture that balances the crisp veggies.
- Lemon juice: Helps keep the avocado from browning and adds a fresh, zesty note.
- Cherry tomatoes (red & yellow): Their sweetness and juiciness provide bright color and bursts of flavor.
- English cucumbers: Crisp and mild, they add fantastic crunch without overpowering other ingredients.
- Red onion: Just a touch adds a sharp bite and depth to the salad’s flavor.
- Feta cheese: Briny and crumbly, it perfectly compliments the creamy avocado and crisp veggies.
- Red wine vinegar: Provides tang and acidity to brighten everything up.
- Olive oil: Smooths the dressing and adds a subtle fruitiness.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings that bring all the flavors together.
- Fresh parsley: Adds a pop of herbaceous freshness and color.
Make It Your Way
I love how forgiving this Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe is — you can easily tweak it depending on what you have on hand or the flavor vibe you want. I often switch up the herbs or add a bit of heat.
- Variation: One of my favorite tweaks is tossing in fresh basil instead of parsley for a sweeter, peppery touch. Sometimes I drop in diced jalapeños for a little kick.
- Protein boost: Adding grilled chicken or chickpeas can turn this salad into a satisfying main dish.
- Seasonal swap: During fall, I swap out cucumbers for roasted beets and sprinkle toasted nuts on top for warmth and crunch.
- Dressing alternatives: Try balsamic vinegar for a richer flavor or lemon zest in the dressing for extra brightness.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Creamy Avocado
First things first, peel, seed, and chop your avocado into bite-sized chunks. Right after chopping, drizzle the teaspoon of lemon juice over it. This little step is key to keeping the avocado fresh and green while also adding a bright note that plays well with the rest of the salad.
Step 2: Chop and Combine Fresh Veggies
Halve your cherry tomatoes — I like using a mix of red and yellow for both flavor balance and a pretty presentation. Peel and chop the English cucumber into chunks similar in size to the avocado. Add the finely chopped red onion and feta crumbles to the mix, then toss everything gently in your largest bowl.
Step 3: Whisk Together Your Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk the red wine vinegar with olive oil, salt, and pepper until it’s well combined. The vinegar gives the dressing a punchy acidity, while the olive oil smooths it out and allows it to coat the veggies beautifully.
Step 4: Dress and Toss Carefully
Pour the dressing over your salad and add the fresh parsley. Toss everything gently — you want to coat the veggies and cheese without mashing the avocado. A light hand here keeps it visually lovely and texturally perfect.
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned that a few simple tricks elevate this salad from “good” to “wow.” These tips help you retain freshness and flavor, especially if you can’t serve it right away.
- Keep avocado fresh: Always toss avocado with lemon juice right after chopping to prevent browning.
- Dress just before serving: To avoid sogginess, add the dressing only when you’re ready to eat, or keep the dressing separate in the fridge.
- Gentle tossing: Use a large spoon and toss delicately to keep the avocado chunks intact and the salad looking inviting.
- Season thoughtfully: Taste and adjust salt and pepper in the dressing last — sometimes feta adds enough salt on its own.
How to Serve Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping this salad with extra fresh parsley or sometimes fresh basil for a punch of green. A sprinkle of toasted pine nuts or pumpkin seeds adds lovely crunch and a nutty contrast that feels totally next-level.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully with grilled fish or chicken for a light dinner. I also enjoy it alongside crusty bread and hummus for a Mediterranean-inspired lunch that’s filling but fresh.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to serve this salad layered in clear glass bowls to highlight the colorful veggies. Or, assemble on a large platter for a family-style feast, garnished with edible flowers for a pop of elegance.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. I find that storing the dressing separately helps keep the veggies crisp and the avocado from browning too quickly.
Freezing
This salad doesn’t freeze well because of the fresh veggies and avocado. For best texture and flavor, enjoy it fresh or within a couple of days refrigerated.
Reheating
I usually serve this salad cold or at room temperature. If you have leftovers, you can remove them from the fridge about 15 minutes before serving to take the chill off, but avoid reheating as it will wilt the veggies.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Simply omit the feta cheese or swap it for a plant-based cheese alternative to keep it vegan-friendly while still delicious.
The key is to toss the chopped avocado with lemon juice immediately after cutting, which slows oxidation. Also, adding the dressing just before serving helps keep the salad looking fresh longer.
Yes! This salad is quite versatile. Feel free to add ingredients like bell peppers, corn kernels, or even olives to suit your taste or what’s in season.
Serving it in a large, clear bowl or plated attractively with colorful garnishes like extra herbs or toasted nuts makes it inviting. You can also pair it with a spread of dips and grilled meats for a complete platter.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely enjoy making this Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe because it’s fresh, nutritious, and endlessly adaptable — plus, it always makes me feel like I’m eating summer on a plate, no matter the season. I hope you find it as satisfying and easy as I do. Next time you want a quick, colorful salad that does more than just fill you up, give this one a try — you’ll be glad you did!
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Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing and colorful cucumber tomato avocado salad featuring creamy avocado, sweet cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty red wine vinaigrette, perfect as a light side dish or a healthy snack.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 large avocado peeled, seeded, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 cups yellow cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 english cucumbers peeled and chopped
- ¼ cup chopped red onion
- 4 ounces feta cheese crumbles
- ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley
Dressing
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare avocado: Drizzle lemon juice over the chopped avocado to prevent browning and add a bright flavor.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, place the lemon-dressed avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped cucumbers, chopped red onion, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Toss salad: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients, top with fresh chopped parsley, and toss gently to combine everything evenly.
Notes
- Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days; storing dressing separately helps prevent sogginess.
- Try fresh herbs like basil, dill, or cilantro for different flavors.
- For a Mediterranean twist, add kalamata olives and grilled chicken.
- Make it a hearty Mexican-inspired salad by mixing in corn kernels and black beans.
- For an Italian flair, replace feta with mozzarella balls and add marinated artichokes, diced salami, and white beans.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
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