🥗 Creamy Avocado Salad Recipe
📝 Description:
This Creamy Avocado Salad is a refreshing, nutrient-packed dish perfect for a light lunch, healthy side, or even a satisfying snack. Featuring buttery avocados, juicy cherry tomatoes, sharp red onions, creamy cheese, and a tangy yogurt-lemon dressing, it’s rich in flavor and easy to whip up in under 10 minutes.
🍽 Ingredients:
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese or any soft white cheese, cubed
- A handful of greens, such as arugula, baby spinach, or lettuce
- Juice of half a lemon
- 2 tbsp plain yogurt (or substitute with light cream for a richer version)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
👨🍳 Instructions:
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, mix the lemon juice, yogurt (or cream), olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine diced avocados, cherry tomatoes, red onion slices, greens, and cheese.
- Toss: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together until well coated.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the freshness!
💡 Notes:
- Avocados brown quickly once cut. To prevent browning, mix the avocado with lemon juice immediately.
- If you’re making it ahead of time, prepare all components but add avocados and dressing right before serving.
🔄 Variations & Tips:
- Add crunch: Sprinkle in toasted nuts (walnuts, almonds) or seeds (sunflower, pumpkin).
- Protein boost: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or boiled eggs.
- Dairy-free: Use a dairy-free yogurt or hummus for the dressing and skip the cheese or use plant-based alternatives.
- Extra flavor: Add a pinch of chili flakes or fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or dill.
🍴 Servings:
Serves 2 as a main salad or 4 as a side dish.
🔬 Nutritional Info (Per Serving – Based on 4 servings):
Approximate values may vary slightly depending on specific ingredients used
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 5g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fat: 18g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 200mg
🌿 Health Benefits:
- Avocado: High in healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber, potassium, and vitamins E, K, and B6.
- Tomatoes: Rich in vitamin C, antioxidants (like lycopene), and low in calories.
- Red Onion: Contains antioxidants and compounds that support heart health.
- Yogurt: Offers probiotics, protein, and calcium for gut and bone health.
- Olive Oil: Provides heart-healthy fats and anti-inflammatory compounds.
❓ Q&A:
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes, but for best texture and color, add avocado and dressing just before serving.
Q: What can I substitute for feta cheese?
A: Try goat cheese, queso fresco, mozzarella pearls, or even diced tofu for a vegan option.
Q: Is this salad keto-friendly?
A: Absolutely! It’s low in carbs and high in healthy fats, perfect for keto diets.
Q: How long does it last in the fridge?
A: Best eaten fresh, but can last up to 1 day if tightly sealed and stored without dressing.
Q: Can I add grains?
A: Yes! Try quinoa, couscous, or farro for a more filling version.
Let me know if you want a printable version, meal prep tips, or a fun infographic-style layout!