Description
A refreshing and vibrant Cucumber, Tomato, and Avocado Salad combining fresh vegetables with a tangy, herbaceous dressing. Perfect as a light side dish or a healthy snack, this salad balances creamy avocado with crisp cucumbers and juicy tomatoes, enhanced by aromatic basil and a flavorful oregano vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 4 medium ripe tomatoes, fresh
- 4 baby cucumbers, fresh and firm
- 1 ripe Hass avocado, slightly soft
- 1/2 medium red onion, peeled and diced
- 1/2 bunch fresh basil, rinsed, dried, and finely chopped
Dressing
- 6 Tbsp good quality extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 3/4 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 garlic clove, pressed
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pinch granulated sugar (for sprinkling on tomatoes)
Instructions
- Prepare Tomatoes: Core the tomatoes, cut each in half, then slice each half into 3 lengthwise wedges. Cut each wedge in half crosswise to get bite-sized pieces. Place them in a large bowl, sprinkle with a pinch of granulated sugar, and toss gently.
- Slice Cucumbers: Trim the ends of the cucumbers. Using a vegetable peeler, create long stripes from top to bottom. Then slice the cucumbers into 1/4 inch thick diagonal slices and add them to the bowl with the tomatoes.
- Prepare Avocado and Mix Vegetables: Cut the avocado lengthwise into 4 quarters and remove the pit. Carefully peel off the skin and slice the avocado into 3/8 inch thick diagonal slices. Add the avocado slices, diced red onion, and chopped basil to the bowl with the tomatoes and cucumbers.
- Make Dressing: Combine the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, kosher salt, granulated sugar, pressed garlic, dried oregano, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl. Whisk vigorously until the dressing is well blended.
- Toss Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetables and gently toss using both hands to combine without mashing the avocado. Serve immediately or cover and let the salad sit at room temperature to enhance the flavors before serving.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm tomatoes and avocado to maintain texture.
- The pinch of sugar on the tomatoes balances acidity and enhances sweetness.
- Sitting the salad for a short time at room temperature allows flavors to meld beautifully.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 hours.
- For added protein, pair with grilled chicken or chickpeas.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: cucumber salad, tomato salad, avocado salad, fresh salad, Mediterranean salad, vegan salad, healthy salad, easy salad recipe
