Chilled Avocado and Papaya Salad with Lime Vinaigrette
A vibrant tropical salad combining creamy avocado and sweet papaya, dressed in a zesty lime vinaigrette for a light, refreshing starter. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegan, gluten free) ready in about 15 minutes pairs large ripe avocado, diced, ripe papaya, peeled and diced, cucumber, peeled and diced into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. 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 ripe avocado, diced
- 1 cup ripe papaya, peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup cucumber, peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 large diced ripe avocado, 1 cup diced ripe papaya, 1/2 cup peeled and diced cucumber, 2 tbsp thinly sliced red onion, and 2 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper until the vinaigrette emulsifies.
- Step 3: Pour the lime vinaigrette over the salad ingredients and gently toss to coat without mashing the avocado.
- Step 4: Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and to serve cold.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chilled Avocado and Papaya Salad with Lime Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 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 Chilled Avocado and Papaya Salad with Lime Vinaigrette?
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 large ripe avocado, diced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chilled Avocado and Papaya Salad with Lime Vinaigrette?
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 Chilled Avocado and Papaya Salad with Lime Vinaigrette 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.
Is Chilled Avocado and Papaya Salad with Lime Vinaigrette vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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