Skin-Healing Avocado & Cucumber Salad with Lime Vinaigrette
A refreshing, hydrating salad designed to support skin health during dietary transitions, featuring cooling cucumbers and nutrient-rich avocado. This mexican-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs large avocado, medium cucumber, thinly sliced red onion 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 avocado
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 medium lime
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Halve and pit avocado, then dice into 1/2-inch cubes. Place in a medium bowl and toss gently with 1/4 tsp sea salt to prevent browning.
- Step 2: Peel cucumber, slice into 1/4-inch half-moons, and add to avocado bowl. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup sliced red onion.
- Step 3: Whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
- Step 4: Drizzle vinaigrette over salad and toss gently with tongs until evenly coated, being careful not to mash avocado.
- Step 5: Garnish with 2 tbsp fresh cilantro and serve chilled within 30 minutes for optimal freshness.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Skin-Healing Avocado & Cucumber 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 Skin-Healing Avocado & Cucumber 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 avocado from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Skin-Healing Avocado & Cucumber 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 Skin-Healing Avocado & Cucumber 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.
What goes well with Skin-Healing Avocado & Cucumber Salad with Lime Vinaigrette?
Mexican salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 0-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
