Avocado & Cucumber Salad with Lime-Cilantro Dressing
Avocado and cucumber with red onion, tossed in a lime and cilantro dressing with extra-virgin olive oil. This mexican-inspired whole30 ready in about 12 minutes pairs avocado, cucumber, red onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 large, pitted and diced avocado
- 1 medium, thinly sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1, juiced and zested lime
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine diced avocado, sliced cucumber, and red onion. Gently toss to avoid mashing avocado.
- Step 2: Whisk lime juice, lime zest, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp sea salt, and 1 tbsp cilantro in a small bowl until emulsified.
- Step 3: Pour dressing over salad and toss gently until evenly coated. Chill for 10 minutes to let flavors meld before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Avocado & Cucumber Salad with Lime-Cilantro Dressing take to make?
Total time is about 12 minutes (12 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Avocado & Cucumber Salad with Lime-Cilantro Dressing?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep avocado from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Avocado & Cucumber Salad with Lime-Cilantro Dressing?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Avocado & Cucumber Salad with Lime-Cilantro Dressing for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Avocado & Cucumber Salad with Lime-Cilantro Dressing?
Mexican whole30 like this pair well with a compliant starch (roasted sweet potato, cauliflower rice, or plantains), a crisp salad dressed with olive oil and lemon, and sliced fruit. Skip grains, legumes, dairy and added sugar — none of them are Whole30-compliant. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
