Avocado Cucumber Salad
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Have we got an irresistible and refreshing side dish for you! Crunchy and crisp cucumber melds with zesty ginger and garlic before adding fresh, vibrant herbs and creamy, buttery avocados to the mix. A red Thai chili adds a subtle heat, and lime juice brightens the deal. There's a whole lot of texture and a whole lot of freshness in this avocado cucumber salad!
If you love cucumber salads, put this creamy cucumber salad and cucumber tomato salad on the menu next!
This delicious avocado cucumber salad is the perfect healthy summer side dish recipe. It's super easy to make and is bursting with flavor. You'll love the crunchy but slightly softened cucumbers, the creamy avocados, the fragrant cilantro, and the hint of spice that tingles your tongue. All those melding flavors become a super refreshing and nutritious way to round out a meal!
Ingredients needed
This cucumber avocado salad is made from varying textures, but all the flavors have something in common: they're fresh and vibrant! This is what you need:
- Thai red chili: Thai red chilis are slender and vibrant red. Bird's eye is a commonly found variety, but you'll find them labelled in the supermarket simply as āThai red chili.'
- Lime juice: Lime is our first choice, but you can use fresh lemon juice in a pinch.
- Other ingredients: English cucumbers, minced ginger, sea salt, sugar, garlic cloves, celery, oil, avocados, basil leaves, and cilantro.
How to make avocado cucumber salad
The total time to make this salad is 50 minutes, but most of that is hands-off so it takes just 15 minutes of actual prep time. Here's the instructions:
- Toss and walk away: Place the ginger, cucumbers, salt, sugar, garlic, and Thai chili in a large bowl, mixing it up so everything melds. Then let it sit so the flavors develop and the salt gets into the cucumber.
- Add: Easy! Next, add celery, oil, and lime juice and toss it together, adding seasoning to taste.
- Finish: Finally, gently add in the creamy diced avocados and the fresh herbs, gently tossing once more. Serve and enjoy!
Tips for making this cucumber avocado salad
While this salad is super straightforward, there are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Macerate: The process of maceration refers to letting the cucumbers sit with a little salt and sugar at room temperature. This makes the cucumbers soft without getting soggy and intensifies the flavor. It also makes a sort of dressing for the salad. Yum!
- Handle with care: To maintain the vibrant color and texture of the avocados, mix everything together first then add the avocados right at the end, being gentle when you toss them so they don't get smooshed.
- Serve fresh: For the best flavor and presentation, enjoy the salad within 30 minutes. This ensures that the avocados stay fresh, avoiding oxidation and browning.
- Adjust the heat: If you don't like a spicy kick then you can omit the chili. If you'd prefer it spicier, add it in as per the recipe, but take it out and chop it up before you add the avocados.
- Get creative: Feel free to experiment with additional ingredients to make the salad your own ā make this a cucumber tomato avocado salad by adding some halved cherry tomatoes for an extra burst of sweetness. Or consider sliced red onion or a crack of black pepper. You can also play with the herbs, adding fresh dill or parsley.
- Bulk it out: Use couscous or chickpeas as a base to make your cucumber avocado salad more filling.
What to serve with cucumber avocado salad
Cucumber avocado salad makes a refreshing summer side dish that is versatile enough to add a burst of freshness to any meal! Turn the grill on and serve this salad so the vibrant fresh flavors contrast all that charred goodness. Whip up some grilled chicken breast or grilled shrimp skewers and throw down a chili lime grilled corn on the cob. Serve with some cucumber lemonade for an incredible sunny afternoon of entertaining!
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Avocado cucumber salad can be made ahead of time. It also transports easily, making it ideal to take to potlucks. You can prepare it ahead of time by combining the cucumbers and spices in the bowl but NOT sprinkling the salt and sugar over just yet. Place the bowl in the fridge for up to 8 hours. When you are ready, take the bowl out of the fridge, add the salt and sugar, let it sit for a half hour then continue with the rest of the preparation.
Where did the inspiration for this recipe come from?
The original recipe comes from Bon AppƩtit. We adapted the recipe mostly by changing the process of how it is made and served with the goal of keeping it simple!
How do I store leftovers?
This salad is best enjoyed fresh ā serve it within half an hour of finishing it up! Avocado tends to oxidize and turn brown over time. For that reason, if you anticipate you might have some leftovers keep the avocado out and then cut it up fresh when you go to enjoy the leftovers. Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge.
More cucumber salad recipes
Avocado Cucumber Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- Ā¼ cup minced ginger
- 2 English cucumbers (quartered and sliced)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 4 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 1 Thai red chili (sliced)
- 4 stalks celery (thinly sliced)
- 1 tablespoon neutral-flavored oil
- Juice from Ā½ lime
- 2 avocados (diced)
- Ā¼ cup EACH: basil leaves and cilantro (chopped)
Instructions
- Place the ginger, cucumbers, sea salt, sugar, garlic, and red chili in a large salad bowl and mix well. Set the bowl aside on your counter for a half-hour.Ā¼ cup minced ginger, 2 English cucumbers, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon sugar, 4 cloves garlic, 1 Thai red chili
- Add the celery, oil, and lime juice to the salad bowl and toss well. Season to taste with sea salt.4 stalks celery, 1 tablespoon neutral-flavored oil, Juice from Ā½ lime
- Add the diced avocados, basil, and cilantro and gently toss once more. Serve within a half hour.2 avocados, Ā¼ cup EACH: basil leaves and cilantro
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our salad recipes!
Looking forward to making this! Iām confused about the chili. Weāre not supposed to cut it up and mix it into the salad? Or does it just marinade with the salad when the salad is resting for the 30 minutes? Thank you!Ā
We just leave it in to marinate. If you want a spicier salad, you can chop it. š
This is the best cucumber salad ever! I usually make a pretty basic one but am so happy I branched out to try something new. Will make it again!!
I’m so happy you liked it!
Made this for some friends at our BBQ. Its is AMAZING!!!! Love the tastes and textures. Another winner – Thanks Kris.
This looks simply delicious with both of my favourite green ingredients!
Thanks, Angie!
This looks really great! I’ve been wanting to make it ever since I saw it in Bon Appetit, so I’ll definitely have to give it a try soon!
I too love all the green. This is a good recipe when you want to use up some of the cucumbers from the garden. This salad looks cool and fresh.
Mmmm…love all of the green! This looks delicious!