The Best Avocado Tomato Salad
A vibrant, nutrient-packed salad with creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, and a zesty lime dressing that's perfect for summer. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs diced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, finely diced 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 280 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
- 2, diced avocado
- 1.5 cups, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 diced avocados, 1.5 cups halved cherry tomatoes, and 1/4 cup finely diced red onion.
- Step 2: Whisk together 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 3: Pour dressing over avocado-tomato mixture and gently toss until evenly coated, being careful not to mash the avocado.
- Step 4: Fold in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro until just combined.
- Step 5: Chill for 15 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and prevent browning.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best Avocado Tomato Salad 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 The Best Avocado Tomato Salad?
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 diced avocado from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best Avocado Tomato Salad?
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 The Best Avocado Tomato Salad 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 The Best Avocado Tomato Salad?
Mediterranean 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.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
