Name: Delicious Spring Salad with Avocado for a Fresh Revitalizing Meal
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 4 cups Mixed greens (A mix of baby spinach and spring greens); 2 pieces Avocado (Ripe but firm); 1 cup Cherry tomatoes (Halved); 1 cup Cucumber (Sliced diagonally); 0.5 cup Red onion (Thinly sliced and soaked in water); 0.5 cup Feta cheese (Crumble before serving); 3 tablespoons Olive oil (Use high-quality); 0.5 cup Lemon juice (Freshly squeezed); to taste Salt; to taste Pepper

Spring’s arrival brings a burst of color and flavor that we can’t resist! When I dive into a bowl of Vibrant Spring Salad with Avocado, it’s like tasting sunshine. This refreshing salad features creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, and juicy cherry tomatoes, while a zesty lemon dressing ties everything together beautifully. Perfect for those light lunches or as a side dish to elevate your dinner table, this salad is both healthy and satisfying. The best part? It’s incredibly quick to whip up, making it an ideal choice for busy days, and it offers a delightful blend of textures that everyone will enjoy. Who’s ready to celebrate spring with a fresh and nutritious meal?

Why is this salad a spring essential?

Vibrant flavors: Each bite bursts with fresh ingredients that capture the essence of spring.
Quick preparation: Ready in minutes—perfect for those busy days when you need a healthy meal fast.
Nutrient-rich: Packed with healthy fats from avocado, this salad supports a balanced diet.
Versatile serving: Enjoy it as a light lunch, a side at barbecues, or complement it with grilled proteins for a hearty meal.
Customizable delight: Add fresh herbs or swap in quinoa to make it your own, just like in our Dumpling Salad Zesty or Corn Pasta Salad recipes!

Spring Salad with Avocado Ingredients

• Dive into spring with fresh components!

For the Salad

Mixed greens – A wholesome base filled with nutrients; opt for a mix of baby spinach and spring greens for variety.
Avocado – Adds a luscious creaminess and healthy fats; use ripe but firm avocados for the best results.
Cherry tomatoes – These juicy gems infuse sweetness into the salad; halving them enhances their flavor.
Cucumber – Provides a delightful crunch; slicing diagonally adds visual appeal.
Red onion – Offers a subtle sharpness; soaking thin slices in water softens their bite.
Feta cheese – Delivers a tangy contrast to the creaminess of avocado; crumble before serving for optimal texture.

For the Dressing

Olive oil – This rich dressing base enhances the freshness of the salad; use high-quality oil for the best flavor.
Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed juice brightens and enlivens the dish; it’s essential for that zesty kick.
Salt & Pepper – Essential for seasoning; adjust to your taste for the perfect balance.

Embrace the flavors of spring with this Spring Salad with Avocado, perfect for a nourishing sample of the season’s bounty!

Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Spring Salad with Avocado

Step 1: Prepare the Base
In a large salad bowl, combine a generous handful of mixed greens, ensuring they are fresh and crisp. Rinse them under cold water if needed, and thoroughly dry to avoid watering down the salad. Next, dice the avocado into bite-sized pieces, being careful to retain its creamy texture and vibrant color, and add it to the greens.

Step 2: Add Fresh Ingredients
Chop the cherry tomatoes in half, releasing their juicy sweetness, and scatter them over the greens and avocado. Then, slice the cucumber diagonally for aesthetic appeal, adding refreshing crunch to your Spring Salad with Avocado. Finally, thinly slice the red onion and, if desired, soak them in cold water for a few minutes to soften their sharpness before including them in the mix.

Step 3: Sprinkle Feta Cheese
Now, gently crumble the feta cheese over the top of your vibrant salad, allowing its salty tang to contrast beautifully with the creaminess of the avocado. The feta brings an extra layer of flavor and color to the dish. Take a moment to admire the colorful blend of greens, reds, and whites that make up your salad; it’s as appealing to the eyes as it is to the taste buds!

Step 4: Whisk the Dressing
In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of olive oil with the juice of half a lemon, adding a pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. As you whisk for about 30 seconds, observe how the ingredients emulsify for a rich, vibrant dressing that brightens the flavors of your Spring Salad with Avocado.

Step 5: Dress and Toss
Drizzle the freshly made lemon dressing over your salad, ensuring even coverage. Use a light hand to gently toss all the ingredients together, incorporating the dressing while being careful not to mash the avocado. Aim to keep the avocado pieces intact for a delightful contrast in texture when enjoying each bite of your revitalizing salad.

Step 6: Serve Immediately
Serve the Spring Salad with Avocado right away for optimal freshness and flavor. This bright and nutritious dish makes a perfect light lunch or a colorful side at dinner. As an option, you can pair it with grilled chicken or fish to create a heartier meal, but remember, this salad shines on its own and showcases the essence of spring beautifully!

Expert Tips for Spring Salad with Avocado

Choose Ripe Avocados: Use avocados that are ripe but still firm to the touch. This keeps them creamy yet holds their shape in the salad.
Soak Red Onions: If the sharp bite of red onion is too strong, soak the thin slices in cold water for about 10 minutes to mellow the flavor before adding them.
Dress Just Before Serving: To ensure the salad remains crisp, wait until just before serving to drizzle the dressing over the Spring Salad with Avocado, preventing sogginess.
Gently Toss Ingredients: Be gentle when mixing your salad; use a folding motion to keep the avocado intact and avoid bruising the greens.
Add Texture Variation: Consider adding nuts or seeds for a delightful crunch and boost of nutrients, making your salad even more satisfying.

Make Ahead Options

This Vibrant Spring Salad with Avocado is perfect for meal prep, making your busy days feel a little easier! You can wash and chop the mixed greens, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes up to 24 hours in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. As for the avocado, dice it just before serving to keep it fresh and vibrant (a squeeze of lemon juice can help prevent browning if needed). Prepare the dressing (olive oil and lemon juice mixture) ahead of time, and it can be stored for up to 3 days in the fridge. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply toss the prepped ingredients with the feta and dressing, and you’ll have a refreshing dish in minutes, just as delicious as when freshly made!

Storage Tips for Spring Salad with Avocado

Room Temperature: Enjoy your salad fresh but if it needs to sit out, keep it at room temperature for no longer than 2 hours to maintain freshness.
Fridge: Store leftover salad in an airtight container without dressing for up to 1 day. If dressed, consume immediately to avoid sogginess.
Freezer: Freezing is not recommended for this salad due to the creamy avocado and fresh ingredients, which don’t hold up well.
Reheating: This salad is best enjoyed cold, so there’s no reheating needed! For leftovers, just refresh by adding a little more dressing right before eating.

Spring Salad with Avocado Variations

Feel free to put your own twist on this delightful salad and make it truly yours!

Dairy-Free: Omit the feta cheese and substitute with crumbled tofu for a creamy texture without dairy.
Herb-Infused: Toss in fresh herbs like dill or cilantro to elevate the flavor profile and add a fresh aroma.
Quinoa Crunch: Incorporate cooked quinoa for a satisfying protein boost, transforming this salad into a complete meal.
Nutty Delight: Add a handful of toasted walnuts or almonds for an extra crunch and rich flavor that complements the creamy avocado.
Heat It Up: Sprinkle a pinch of red pepper flakes or sliced jalapeños to give your salad a spicy kick that will wake up your taste buds.
Seasonal Swap: Replace cherry tomatoes with roasted seasonal vegetables, like asparagus or bell peppers, to give your salad a charred depth of flavor as seen in our Stuffed Sweet Potatoes.
Protein-Packed: Add grilled chicken or shrimp to make this salad heartier, perfect for a fulfilling lunch or dinner.
Zesty Replacement: Swap lemon juice for lime juice, which adds a tangy twist and changes the flavor profile while still keeping it fresh.

Don’t forget, the world of salads is vast and delicious, just like the various flavors you can discover in our Pumpkin Waffles Salted or Mascarpone Stuffed Drizzle recipes!

What to Serve with Vibrant Spring Salad with Avocado

Elevate your meal with delightful pairings that bring out the flavors of spring!

Grilled Chicken: Juicy, grilled chicken thighs or breasts add hearty protein, making the salad a filling main dish.
Crispy Quinoa Cakes: These crunchy delights bring a wonderful texture that complements the creamy avocado perfectly.
Pita Bread with Hummus: Serve warm pita alongside for a fresh, herb-packed dip that adds depth to your meal.
Lemonade Spritzer: A refreshing lemonade spritzer infused with mint enhances the bright, zesty notes in the salad.
Seared Salmon: Rich, flaky salmon delivers a satisfying contrast against the freshness of the salad’s vegetables.
Roasted Beets: The earthy sweetness of roasted beets not only adds color but also rounds out the flavors beautifully.
Berry Tart: A light berry tart offers a sweet finish after enjoying your vibrant spring salad, keeping the season’s flavors alive.
Herbed Couscous: Fluffy couscous tossed with fresh herbs adds a nutty flavor that pairs wonderfully with the avocado’s creaminess.
Sparkling Water: Crisp sparkling water infused with lemon or cucumber enhances your dining experience, keeping it light and refreshing.

Spring Salad with Avocado Recipe FAQs

What is the best way to choose ripe avocados?
Absolutely! Look for avocados that are firm yet yield slightly to gentle pressure. A ripe avocado will have dark green to almost black skin, and there should be no dark spots all over its surface. If they’re overly soft or have large indentations, they’re likely overripe.

How should I store leftover Spring Salad with Avocado?
To ensure your salad stays fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container without the dressing. This way, it can be kept in the refrigerator for up to one day. If you’ve already added the dressing, it’s best to consume it immediately to avoid sogginess.

Can I freeze Spring Salad with Avocado?
Very! Freezing is not recommended for this salad as the creamy avocado and fresh ingredients will not hold up well when thawed. If you’d like to prepare ahead, consider freezing other components such as cooked quinoa or grilled chicken separately, and then mix them into your fresh salad when ready to enjoy.

What if I don’t like red onions?
No worries! If red onions are too strong for your palate, you can either soak them in cold water for about 10 minutes to reduce their bite or simply omit them altogether. Substituting with green onions adds a milder flavor and retains the pleasant onion taste without being overwhelming.

Is this salad suitable for a gluten-free diet?
Absolutely! The Spring Salad with Avocado is naturally gluten-free as it primarily consists of fresh vegetables and healthy fats. Just check any additional ingredients like feta cheese for gluten content if you choose a packaged version, and you’re all set!