This Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado Salad is the perfect dish for summer gatherings or a quick family meal. It’s not only fresh and crunchy but also incredibly simple to prepare. This salad combines vibrant ingredients, making it a standout choice for picnics, barbecues, or just a healthy side at dinner. Enjoy its rich flavors while keeping your meal light and nutritious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick Preparation: You can whip this salad up in just 12 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings.
- Flavorful Ingredients: The combination of tomatoes, cucumbers, and avocados creates a burst of freshness that’s hard to resist.
- Versatile Serving Options: Serve it as a side dish or add protein to make it a main course – it’s perfect for any occasion.
- Nutritious Choice: Packed with vitamins and healthy fats, this salad supports a balanced diet while satisfying your taste buds.
- Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters will love the crunch and taste of this colorful salad.
Tools and Preparation
Before diving into the recipe, gather your tools. Having everything ready will make the process smoother and more enjoyable.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Whisk
Importance of Each Tool
- Mixing bowl: Allows you to combine all ingredients easily without spilling.
- Knife: A sharp knife ensures precise chopping of vegetables for even texture.
- Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for cutting and keeps your kitchen tidy.
- Whisk: Perfect for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
Ingredients
This tomato, cucumber, avocado salad is an easy, flavorful summer salad. It’s crunchy, fresh and simple to make. It’s a family favorite.
- 1 1/2 cups of chopped tomatoes – I used cherry tomatoes
- 1 cucumber – peeled and seeded then diced
- 1 avocado – diced
- 4 oz feta cheese – cubed
- 2 tbs minced red onion
- 1 handful parsley – minced – about 2 tbs
- 2 tbs olive oil
- 1 tbs red apple vinegar
- 8 twists of black pepper from a pepper mill
For Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
How to Make Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado Salad
Step 1: Prepare the Tomatoes
Chop the tomatoes into medium-sized pieces. If using cherry tomatoes, simply cut them in half. Add these to your mixing bowl.
Step 2: Dice the Cucumber
Peel and seed one cucumber before dicing it into small pieces. Once diced, add it to the bowl with the tomatoes.
Step 3: Prepare the Avocado
Remove the pit from the avocado and dice it. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh from its peel. Gently add this to your mixing bowl.
Step 4: Add Feta Cheese
Cube the feta cheese into bite-sized pieces. Add them to the mixture in your bowl.
Step 5: Incorporate Red Onion and Parsley
Add the minced red onion and parsley into the bowl with other ingredients. This adds depth of flavor to your salad.
Step 6: Make the Dressing
Whisk together olive oil, red apple vinegar, and black pepper in a small bowl until well combined. Pour this dressing over your salad mixture.
Step 7: Toss Everything Together
Gently toss all ingredients in the mixing bowl until everything is well-coated with dressing. Be careful not to break up the feta or avocado pieces too much.
Step 8: Serve Immediately
For best flavor and texture, serve immediately after tossing. If you need to refrigerate it beforehand, keep the avocado aside and add it just before serving for optimal freshness.
How to Serve Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado Salad
This refreshing tomato, cucumber, avocado salad is perfect for summer gatherings. It can be served in a variety of ways to complement your meal or stand alone as a light dish.
As a Standalone Dish
- A light meal – Enjoy it on its own for a healthy lunch or dinner option.
- Picnic favorite – Pack it in a container for an easy-to-transport dish.
As a Side Salad
- With grilled meats – This salad pairs well with grilled chicken or steak, adding freshness to your plate.
- Alongside seafood – The crisp flavors enhance dishes like grilled shrimp or fish.
At Barbecues
- Colorful addition – Brighten up your barbecue spread with this colorful salad that everyone will love.
- Balanced flavor – The creamy avocado and tangy feta cheese complement smoky barbecue flavors perfectly.
For Meal Prep
- Easy lunch option – Prepare it ahead of time for quick lunches throughout the week.
- Customizable – Feel free to add extra veggies or proteins to suit your taste.
How to Perfect Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado Salad
Creating the perfect tomato, cucumber, avocado salad is simple with a few tips. These suggestions will elevate your dish’s taste and presentation.
- Use ripe ingredients – Choose ripe tomatoes and avocados for the best flavor and texture.
- Add seasoning gradually – Start with small amounts of olive oil and vinegar; you can always add more to taste.
- Chill before serving – Letting the salad sit in the fridge for 30 minutes allows flavors to blend beautifully.
- Toss gently – Mix the salad carefully to keep the avocado and feta intact without mashing them.
- Incorporate additional herbs – Fresh herbs like basil or mint can enhance flavors and add freshness.
- Serve immediately – For best results, serve right after mixing to maintain the crunchiness of the vegetables.
Best Side Dishes for Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado Salad
This tomato, cucumber, avocado salad pairs wonderfully with various side dishes. Here are some great options to consider.
- Grilled Chicken Skewers – Flavorful skewers that are easy to make and complement the salad’s freshness.
- Quinoa Pilaf – A nutty grain dish that adds protein and texture while being light enough not to overshadow the salad.
- Corn on the Cob – Sweet corn brings a touch of sweetness and is perfect for summer barbecues.
- Roasted Vegetables – Caramelized veggies provide depth and richness that balance the bright flavors of your salad.
- Garlic Bread – Crunchy bread with garlic butter can be a delicious accompaniment for sopping up any leftover dressing.
- Fruit Salad – A refreshing fruit medley adds sweetness and is a delightful contrast to savory dishes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making a Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado Salad can be simple, but some common mistakes can hinder the results. Here are a few to watch out for:
- Overdressing the salad: Too much dressing can overpower the fresh flavors. Start with less and add more to taste.
- Using unripe avocados: Unripe avocados can be hard and lack flavor. Always choose ripe avocados for the best texture and taste.
- Chopping ingredients unevenly: Unevenly chopped vegetables can lead to an inconsistent bite. Aim for uniform sizes to ensure even mixing and presentation.
- Not seasoning properly: A little salt and pepper go a long way in enhancing flavors. Don’t skip seasoning; taste as you go.
- Making it too far in advance: The salad is best enjoyed fresh. If making ahead, keep the avocado separate until just before serving.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Duration: You can store the salad in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
- Containers: Use an airtight container to keep it fresh and prevent odors from other foods.
Freezing Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado Salad
- Not recommended: Due to the high water content of cucumbers and tomatoes, freezing can affect their texture negatively. It’s best to enjoy this salad fresh.
Reheating Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado Salad
- Oven: Not recommended for salads as they are best served cold or at room temperature.
- Microwave: Not suitable; reheating will change the texture of fresh ingredients.
- Stovetop: Again, not advised; this salad should be enjoyed cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about preparing a Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado Salad.
Can I use different types of tomatoes in this salad?
Yes! You can substitute cherry tomatoes with heirloom or grape tomatoes based on your preference.
How do I make this Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado Salad more filling?
You can add protein-rich ingredients like grilled chicken or chickpeas to make it heartier.
What variations can I try with this salad?
Feel free to mix in other vegetables like bell peppers or corn for added crunch and flavor.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
This salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be prepped ahead by chopping vegetables; just add avocado before serving.
Final Thoughts
This easy-to-make Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado Salad is perfect for summer gatherings or quick weeknight dinners. Its vibrant flavors and crunchy textures make it a family favorite. Plus, you can customize it to your liking by adding proteins or other veggies. Give it a try today!
Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado Salad
Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado Salad is a refreshing, vibrant dish that captures the essence of summer in every bite. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or as a quick family meal, this salad is both nutritious and easy to prepare.
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: Approximately 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 cucumber (peeled and diced)
- 1 avocado (diced)
- 4 oz feta cheese (cubed)
- 2 tablespoons minced red onion
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red apple vinegar
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Chop the cherry tomatoes and add them to a mixing bowl.
- Peel, seed, and dice the cucumber; add it to the bowl.
- Dice the avocado and gently include it in the mixture.
- Cube the feta cheese into bite-sized pieces and add to the bowl.
- Incorporate minced red onion and parsley.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, and black pepper; pour over the salad.
- Toss gently to coat all ingredients without mashing them.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate (add avocado just before serving).
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: N/A
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg