Tostones Salad with Avocado and Lime
Crispy fried green plantains meet creamy avocado and zesty lime in this refreshing Puerto Rican-inspired salad, perfect as a light main dish or appetizer. This caribbean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs large green plantains, vegetable oil, ripe, diced avocado 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 220 calories and feeds 4, 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 large green plantains
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 ripe, diced avocado
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Peel green plantains and cut into 1/2-inch thick rounds. In a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Fry plantain slices in batches until golden brown and crisp, about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 diced avocado, 1/4 cup sliced red onion, 2 tbsp chopped cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1/2 tsp salt. Gently fold in the fried plantain slices.
- Step 3: Toss the salad with additional lime juice if desired, then serve immediately to maintain the avocado's creaminess.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tostones Salad with Avocado and Lime take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Tostones Salad with Avocado and Lime?
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 green plantains from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Tostones Salad with Avocado and Lime?
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 Tostones Salad with Avocado and Lime for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Tostones Salad with Avocado and Lime 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
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
