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Tomato and Avocado Salad

The very essence of summer! A light, refreshing, and healthy Tomato and Avocado Salad. Ready for the table in just 10 minutes. Serve this salad for a quick summer lunch, or at any summer party. It goes great with any grilled protein from fish to chicken to steak and guests always love it!

Tomato and avocado salad on a large white serving plate.

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There’s about to be a glut of something around here. That would be tomatoes. And I couldn’t be happier! A fresh tomato picked at the peak of ripeness and eaten still warm from the sun’s rays…why that’s just about as close to perfection as you can get.

I’ve always grown tomatoes. Even in the years when I didn’t plant much of a garden, I always had tomatoes.

However, in the place where we live now, it has become almost impossible to grow anything at all because of the deer and squirrel population. If the deer don’t eat it, the squirrels do. Even all the little apples off our tree.

Have you ever seen a squirrel try to wrestle an apple down a tree without dropping it? After you get over your fury at the squirrel for mutilating your crop (once again), it can be downright hilarious.

Here’s this teeny little squirrel with a huge mouthful of apple trying to maneuver the very limber limbs of an apple tree. It’s nearly as entertaining as when BeeBop puts oil on the bird feeder post so they can’t climb up it.

Enjoy Fresh Tomatoes While You Can

Of course, one of my most favorite ways to enjoy fresh, ripe garden tomatoes is in a tomato sandwich. I love the simple, classic one consisting of two slices of soft, white bread spread thickly with good mayonnaise, topped with slices of juicy tomato, and lots of salt and pepper. Hold over the sink and eat it while the juice drips down your arm. Yum. Summer.

When you get tired of tomato sandwiches (What! As if!), here’s another idea for those beauties. A Tomato and Avocado Salad with onion and cilantro dressed simply with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. It’s almost as yummy as a tomato sandwich!

What You’ll Love About This Recipe


  • Less than 10 minutes prep time.
  • Bursting with fresh summer flavors
  • Contains healthy fats
  • Great for summer get-togethers

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Ripe tomatoes
  • Ripe avocado
  • Onion
  • Fresh cilantro (or parsley)
  • Lemon juice
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Tomato and Avocado Salad

Let’s Go Step-by-Step

I always like to show you the photos and step-by-step instructions for my recipes to help you picture how to make them in your own kitchen. If you just want to print out a copy, you can skip to the bottom of the post where you’ll find the recipe card.

Slice the Tomatoes, Avocado, and Onion

Photo collage showing the assembly of the tomato and avocado salad.

Arrange the sliced tomatoes, avocado, and onion on a platter. Scatter the cilantro over the top.

Dress the Salad

Salad on a plate being drizzled with lemon juice and olive oil.

Drizzle with the lemon juice and olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Recipe Success Tips

For this recipe, I recommend using a tomato such as Beefsteak or Brandywine (if you can find them), or any heirloom variety. Just make sure the tomatoes you choose are completely ripe.

Wondering how to choose a good, ripe tomato? It’s not difficult, actually. Just make sure that the tomatoes don’t have any obvious blemishes like split skins or dark spots. Weigh the tomato in your hand – it should feel heavy for its size. It should also feel firm yet soft enough to give slightly when pressed. And, ripe tomatoes should be fragrant when you smell the spot where it was attached to the stem.

And the same with avocados. Ripe Haas avocados will typically have a dark skin and feel slightly soft but not mushy when gentle pressure is applied.

Subsitutions and Additions

  • A small cucumber, peeled and cut into slices is a nice addition.
  • Add a few Kalamata olives for additional flavor.
  • Substitute balsamic vinegar for the lemon juice.
  • If you’re not a fan of cilantro, fresh parsley or basil is a good substitute.

FAQs

Are avocados healthy?

Avocados contain healthy fats, they’re low in carbs, and high in fiber. They’re a good choice for a healthy diet.

How long will avocados last in a salad?

Cut avocados do brown very quickly. However, the lemon juice in this salad will help prevent that from happening for several hours. Even though it’s best eaten soon after making, if will keep for a short time if it’s well wrapped with plastic wrap.

Is olive oil healthy?

Yes, but some are more so than others. Extra virgin olive oil is processed so that it keeps many of the antioxidants from the olives, therefore rendering it healthier than the more processed types of olive oil.

Tomato and avocado salad on a large white serving plate.
Lana Stuart.

Questions? I’m happy to help!

If you have more questions about the recipe, or if you’ve made it and would like to leave a comment, scroll down to leave your thoughts, questions, and/or rating!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Recipe

The very essence of summer! Light, refreshing, and healthy Tomato and Avocado Salad. 10 minute prep time. https://www.lanascooking.com/tomato-and-avocado-salad

Tomato and Avocado Salad

The very essence of summer! A light, refreshing, and healthy Tomato and Avocado Salad. Ready for the table in just 10 minutes.
4.75 from 4 votes
Print It Rate It Save
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 314kcal
Author: Lana Stuart

Ingredients

  • 2 large ripe tomatoes sliced
  • 1 ripe avocado peeled and sliced
  • ¼ medium white onion thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves (or parsely)
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Arrange the sliced tomatoes, avocado, and onion on a platter.
  • Scatter the cilantro over the top.
  • Drizzle with the lemon juice and olive oil.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Notes

Tips:
  • For this recipe, I recommend using a tomato such as Beefsteak or Brandywine (if you can find them), or any heirloom variety. Just make sure the tomatoes you choose are completely ripe.
  • To choose a good ripe tomato, make sure that the tomatoes don’t have any obvious blemishes like split skins or dark spots. Weigh the tomato in your hand – it should feel heavy for its size. It should also feel firm yet soft enough to give slightly when pressed. And, ripe tomatoes should be fragrant when you smell the spot where it was attached to the stem.
  • The same with avocados. Ripe Haas avocados will typically have a dark skin and feel slightly soft but not mushy when gentle pressure is applied.
Substitutions and Additions:
  • A small cucumber, peeled and cut into slices is a nice addition.
  • Add a few Kalamata olives for additional flavor.
  • Substitute balsamic vinegar for the lemon juice.
  • If you’re not a fan of cilantro, fresh parsley or basil is a good substitute.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 | Calories 314kcal | Carbohydrates 15g | Protein 3g | Fat 29g | Saturated Fat 4g | Sodium 596mg | Potassium 808mg | Fiber 9g | Sugar 4g | Vitamin A 1201IU | Vitamin C 28mg | Calcium 31mg | Iron 1mg

Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.

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Recipe Rating




28 Comments

  1. This salad is so light and fresh, it just taste like summer!

  2. Angela {Mind Over Batter} says:

    I WISH I could eat avocadoes – I would eat this EVERY SINGLE day!

  3. This is very similar to what I make, adding shrimp, and a ranch kind of dressing. Serve it over chopped lettuce and EVEN MEN WILL EAT IT!

    Miss P

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      Yum! That sounds delicious, too. I love the idea of adding shrimp to this salad.

  4. Kathleen @ My Trader Joes says:

    This is one of my favorite summer salad combos. I will be making this for our 4th of July barbecue.

  5. Jessica (Savory Experiments) says:

    Drooling- this looks amazing! I wish it was my lunch today!

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      It’s definitely my lunch today. Has been several days lately!

  6. Nutmeg Nanny says:

    To me this is the perfect summer salad!

  7. One of summer’s best is a fresh, just-picked-from-the-garden tomato! I love this recipe! Thanks. :)

  8. Paula - bell'alimento says:

    So perfect for hot summer suppers.

  9. Lana, what kind of tomatoes are you growing this year? I love so many different types. Sandwiches and salads, I can’t wait.

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      I’m growing Cherokee Purple, Golden Boy, Mortgage Lifter, Indigo Rose, Yellow Pear, Sun Gold, and a red cherry that I can’t remember the name :-) We’ve had some off the cherry varieties already and the others should start coming in around July 4. Tomato sandwiches for everyone!

  10. The Food Hunter says:

    If my tomatoes ever grow I’ll be making this! :)

  11. Ginny McMeans says:

    This is my FAVORITE!

  12. Lauren Kelly Nutrition says:

    Yum, I would eat this ALL summer!

  13. Angie | Big Bear's Wife says:

    Aren’t huge southern red tomatoes right off the vine just the best! Love the salad!

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      Yes, they are, Angie! The absolute best!

  14. Well I just got shipped a case of avocados and I’m sure the tomatoes will be coming any day now with my CSA. I am ready for this salad!

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      Wow, a whole case of avocados! Enjoy them!

  15. I love the combination of tomatoes and avocados! Now to give this yummy salad a try. xo

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      Hope you like it, Kelly. When the photo shoot was over, my husband and I sat down and demolished the whole platter!

  16. Amanda @the_kitcheneer says:

    This looks like such a gorgeous salad! We are about to have a TON of tomatoes coming from our garden this year! Garden fresh tomatoes are the best!

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      I agree, Amanda. Nothing like tomatoes fresh from the garden.

  17. taylor @ greens & chocolate says:

    Love avocados and tomatoes! I’m about to have a bunch of tomatoes in my garden too…can’t wait!

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      Me, too, Taylor! Tomatoes and avocados were meant for each other.

  18. Deanna Segrave-Daly (@tspbasil) says:

    I seriously could eat a version of this every single day in the summer. Alas, my grandparents’ and parents’ green thumbs were not passed down to me so I have to rely on my CSA, farmers market and kindness of neighbors’ gardens for my tomato cravings :)

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      I wish we had a CSA in this area! No such luck, so I have to grow my own :-)