Cucumber-Tomato-Avocado Salad

4.8 (4) 4 Reviews A perfectly easy summer side, or a light and refreshing dinner with some added chicken. By Kimberly Holland Published on July 19, 2023 For a simple, rustic salad that would be great for any last-minute dinner side, look no further than this cucumber-tomato-avocado salad. The firm avocado keeps its shape nicely, and the juicy cherry tomatoes add a big burst of flavor. A quick shallot dressing adds zing and tang, which complements the acidity of the tomatoes nicely. For that last bit of freshness, you can't overlook the cucumbers, which bring lots of texture, too. On its own, this cucumber-tomato-avocado salad is great as a side dish, but if you add grilled or shredded chicken or pasta, you can upgrade this to a simple and easy main dish or lunch.

⏱️ 10

Prep Time (min)

🔥 10

Cook Time (min)

🍽️ 6

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Dinner

📝 Ingredients

Shallot: This mild, small onion has plenty of bite without being overwhelming. If you can't find shallot, use red onion, but consider soaking it in ice water for about 10 minutes to take some of the bite out so it doesn't overwhelm the rest of the dish.
Extra-virgin olive oil: For the salad dressing.
Red wine vinegar: Supplies a bit of zip and tang for the salad dressing. Other vinegars will work, but we like red wine vinegar for a hint of sweetness.
Kosher salt and black pepper: To season the salad dressing and salad.
Avocados: Perfectly ripe is key, but you can go a little under ripe and the avocado will soften some once cut open.
Persian cucumbers: These provide juiciness and texture. You can peel them if you want, but they're cut into smaller pieces, so chewing the peel shouldn't be difficult.
Cherry tomatoes: Multi-colored tomatoes are preferred for a nice visual presentation.
Feta: You could sub for goat cheese if you like. Both provide a nice hit of saltiness.

👨‍🍳 Instructions

Part of what makes this cucumber-tomato-avocado salad so great is that it comes together very quickly, and you don't need more than 10 minutes to make it and get all the flavors melded for the perfect bite.
The full recipe is below, but here's a back pocket guide to make this easy salad.
Step 1. Make the dressing: Combine the shallot, olive oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper in a bowl. Whisk to combine. Alternatively, you can make this in advance and store it in the fridge until you're ready to use it.
Step 2. Combine vegetables: In a larger bowl, mix the avocados, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Then, pour on the dressing, and stir to dress the salad well.
Step 3. Add cheese: When you're ready to serve, give it one last stir, then sprinkle on the feta.

💡 Notes & Tips

How To Store Cucumber-Tomato-Avocado Salad

This cucumber, tomato, and avocado salad is delicious just after it's mixed, but it is also great a day later. (The avocados will take on some brown color, but they're still OK to eat.) Make sure you store the salad in an air-tight container in the fridge. Just before serving, mix up the salad again to distribute any juices or dressing that has settled.

This salad should not be frozen. The ingredients, specifically the cucumbers and tomatoes, may turn mushy and mealy once thawed.