Cucumber-Avocado Salad with Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette
A refreshing, creamy salad with crisp cucumbers, ripe avocados, and a bright lemon-garlic dressing that’s perfect for a light lunch or side dish. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes pairs large cucumber, ripe avocado, red onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1/4 cup red onion
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Peel and dice 1 large cucumber into 1/2-inch cubes, then place in a large bowl.
- Step 2: Dice 1 ripe avocado into 1/2-inch cubes and add to the bowl with the cucumber.
- Step 3: Finely dice 1/4 cup red onion and stir into the bowl with 2 tbsp fresh parsley.
- Step 4: Whisk together 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
- Step 5: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently until evenly coated. Serve immediately to prevent browning.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cucumber-Avocado Salad with Lemon-Garlic 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 Cucumber-Avocado Salad with Lemon-Garlic 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 cucumber from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cucumber-Avocado Salad with Lemon-Garlic 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 Cucumber-Avocado Salad with Lemon-Garlic 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 Cucumber-Avocado Salad with Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Simple, healthy, and delicious. The vinaigrette is my new favorite!
- ★★★★★
Love how the avocado and cucumber complement each other. Made it for my family and they loved it too!
- ★★★★★
This salad was a refreshing change from my usual dinners. The lemon-garlic dressing was perfect!