Powell Family Cooking

  • Recipe Index
  • Summer Recipes
  • Little Chefs
  • About Us
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Summer Recipes
  • Little Chefs
  • About Us
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Summer Recipes
  • Little Chefs
  • About Us
×
You are here: Home / Recipes / Salad

Fresh Avocado and Tomato Salad

📋 Modified: Feb 22, 2025 Published: Jun 23, 2022 by 👩🏻‍🍳 Jami Powell · This post may contain affiliate links · 💬 2 Comments

Be the friend who shares good food.

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Reddit
  • SMS
Jump to Recipe

This Avocado and Tomato Salad is a light, refreshing side salad that comes together in minutes. Creamy avocado, sweet tomatoes, and crisp red onion are tossed in a simple olive oil and citrus dressing.

If you’re planning a full meal, it pairs perfectly with our Chicken Tinga Enchiladas or our Layered Taco Casserole.

Tomato avocado salad tossed in a white bowl.

Save This Recipe 💌

Enter your email below and we'll send it to your inbox. Plus, you'll get new recipes from us each week!

This Mexican-inspired salad is a healthy blend of fresh ingredients. It balances creamy avocado with juicy tomatoes, a touch of acidity, and fragrant herbs. It's naturally gluten-free and dairy-free making it a perfect option for a light meal or side dish.

If you love fresh Mexican ingredients, you may also enjoy our Chipotle Corn Salad Recipe or our Restaurant Style Guacamole.

Jump to:
  • Why We Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make this Easy Avocado and Tomato Salad
  • Expert Tips for Success
  • Substitutions & Variations
  • Storage
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Mexican Side Dishes You'll Love ♥️
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Share Your Thoughts

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Quick and Easy: Takes just 15 minutes to prepare—perfect for busy schedules.
  • Healthy: It's loaded with the good stuff! If you prefer these ingredients in dip form, try our family's favorite (Cowboy) Redneck Caviar.
  • Versatile: Enjoy as a side dish, topping, or standalone meal.
  • Perfect for Any Occasion: Great for summer BBQs, weeknight dinners, and meal prep.

Ingredients

A labeled image of all ingredients needed to make an avocado and tomato salad.
  • Avocados: Go for mini ripe but firm avocados so they hold their shape when mixed. Soft ones can turn mushy too quickly. Love avocados? Try our Blackened Shrimp and Avocado Salad.
  • Tomato: Beefsteak is our top choice for their juicy, meaty texture and natural sweetness. If they’re extra ripe, they add even more flavor.
  • Red Onion: A little goes a long way! It adds crunch and a sharp bite that balances the creamy avocado. If you want a milder taste, soak the slices in cold water for 10 minutes.
  • Cilantro and Oregano: This gives the salad a fresh Mexican flavor. If you’re not a cilantro fan, parsley or basil would make a great substitute.
  • Dressing (Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Salt & Pepper): The dressing brightens the flavors and keeps the avocado from browning.

A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

How to Make this Easy Avocado and Tomato Salad

Avocados, tomato, cilantro, lemon, and onion washed in a colander.

STEP 1: Wash and Prep the Ingredients

Rinse the avocados, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro under cold water. Let them drain in a colander.

Avocados and tomatoes on a cutting board diced into large chunks.

STEP 2: Chop the Ingredients

Slice the avocados in half, remove the pit, and scoop out the flesh. Cut into bite-sized chunks. Dice the tomatoes into evenly sized-pieces. Thinly slice the red onion. Chop the cilantro finely to distribute evenly in the salad.

Process shot 3 is all ingredients in the bowl ready to be tossed with dressing.

STEP 3: Assemble the Salad

In a large bowl, combine the chopped avocado, diced tomatoes, sliced red onion, and cilantro. Sprinkle with dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.

Process shot 4 is avocado and tomato salad tossed with dressing in a white bowl.

STEP FOUR: Dress and Serve

Drizzle the olive oil and fresh lemon juice over the salad. Gently toss to coat everything without mashing the avocado. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Expert Tips for Success

👩‍🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!

✔️ DO Use ripe but firm avocados to keep their shape when mixed.
✔️ DO Squeeze extra lemon or lime juice over the top before serving.
❌ DO NOT Overmix. This could alter the salad's texture.

Substitutions & Variations

  • Beefsteak Tomato: Use Roma tomatoes for a firmer texture or heirloom tomatoes for a sweeter, more complex flavor.
  • Cilantro: Parsley or basil will make a good substitute.

Storage

This salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. To prevent the avocado from browning, squeeze extra lemon juice over the top before storing.

Recipe FAQs

How do you keep avocado from turning brown in a salad?

To keep avocado from browning, toss it with lemon or lime juice before adding it to the salad. The acidity helps slow oxidation, keeping the avocado fresh and vibrant. Storing the salad with plastic wrap pressed directly against the surface also minimizes air exposure.

What is the best dressing for avocado and tomato salad?

A simple olive oil and lemon dressing keeps it fresh and light, but you can also use balsamic vinaigrette for a different flavor. For a creamy option, mix Greek yogurt with lime juice and add garlic.

How do I keep my avocado and tomato salad from getting watery?

To prevent excess liquid, seed the tomatoes before chopping and add salt just before serving to keep the ingredients from releasing too much moisture. Using firm avocados and tossing the salad gently also helps maintain texture.

Tomato and avocado salad in a white bowl.

More Mexican Side Dishes You'll Love ♥️

  • Close up of chipotle pinto beans in a bowl with cilantro
    Easy Chipotle Pinto Beans Recipe in the Instant Pot
  • easy and authentic mexican refried beans instant pot feature image close up with Monterey Jack cheese and cilantro in a decorative bowl
    Homemade Refried Beans from Scratch (Instant Pot Recipe)
  • Chipotle corn salsa with toppings in a decorative bowl.
    Chipotle's Corn Salsa Copycat Recipe
  • close up of cheese quesadilla feature image
    3 Ingredient Cheese Quesadilla Recipe

Did You Like This Tomato and Avocado Salad Recipe?

  • Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Star Rating if think this avocado side salad is amazing!

📖 Recipe

Tomato avocado salad tossed in a white bowl.

Fresh Avocado and Tomato Salad

Jami Powell
This Avocado and Tomato Salad is a light, refreshing side salad that comes together in minutes. Creamy avocado, sweet tomatoes, and crisp red onion are tossed in a simple olive oil and lemon dressing, making it the perfect side for grilled meats, tacos, or a quick and healthy lunch.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 353 kcal

Equipment

  • Salad bowl
  • Salad tongs
  • Colander
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Ingredients
  

  • 3 small avocados large chunks
  • 1 large tomato large chunks
  • ¼ small red onion sliced
  • 3 tablespoon fresh cilantro
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

Dressing

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice of ½ lemon (or lime)

Instructions
 

  • Rinse the avocados, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro under cold water. Pat them dry with a clean towel.
  • Cut the avocados in half, remove the pit, and scoop out the flesh. Dice into bite-sized pieces.
  • Chop the tomatoes into evenly sized chunks.
  • Thinly slice the red onion and roughly chop the cilantro.
  • Place the avocado, tomato, red onion, and cilantro in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle in the dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
  • Drizzle with fresh lemon or lime juice and olive oil. Gently toss to combine, being careful not to mash the avocado. Serve immediately.

Save This Recipe 💌

Enter your email below and we'll send it to your inbox. Plus, you'll get new recipes from us each week!

Notes

Tip Choose ripe but firm avocados. To prevent the avocado from browning, squeeze extra lemon juice over the top before storing.
Storage This salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Freeze This dish is not freezer-friendly.
Reheat No reheating is required.
Substitutions
  • Tomato: Use Roma tomatoes for a firmer texture or heirloom tomatoes for a sweeter, more complex flavor.
  • Cilantro: Parsley or basil will make a good substitute.
Adjustments Cooking time may need to be adjusted based on the geography of the area (high vs. low elevation), cookware (stoneware vs traditional bakeware), and outdoor temperature if grilling.
Nutrition information is only an estimate

Nutrition

Calories: 353kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 4gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gSodium: 306mgPotassium: 946mgFiber: 11gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 939IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @powell.family.cooking on Instagram

Other Related Recipes

  • Mediterranean smashed cucumber salad feature image close up in blue bowl.
    Mediterranean Smashed Cucumber Salad
  • Quinoa power bowl with chickpeas and avocado close up feature shot.
    Healthy Quinoa Power Bowl
  • coleslaw recipe for pulled pork feature image coleslaw in blue serving bowl
    The BEST Coleslaw Recipe for Pulled Pork
  • fall salad recipe with kale, delicata squash, and maple dressing feature image close up
    Kale and Delicata Squash Salad with Maple Dressing

Be the friend who shares good food.

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Reddit
  • SMS

Comments

  1. Jami Powell says

    February 21, 2025 at 6:42 pm

    5 stars
    This is our family's favorite go-to side salad to serve with Mexican dishes. So easy and good!

    Reply
  2. Justin says

    December 28, 2024 at 11:36 pm

    5 stars
    Fresh and delicious!

    Reply
5 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Professional image of the Powell family sitting on a rock at the beach.

This is us. ♥️
We began this journey together in 2020, not really knowing which direction to take. Much has changed over the years, but we remain dedicated to this endeavor. We hope you continue to visit.

More about us →

Summer

  • Baked shrimp scampi in a casserole dish with curly parsley on top.
    Easy Shrimp Scampi Bake with Garlic Butter
  • An Italian white bean salad in a wooden salad bowl with garnish.
    Italian White Bean Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette
  • Panzanella salad on a white platter topped with burrata cheese, basil, and seasoning.
    Burrata Panzanella Platter with Heirloom Tomatoes
  • Quinoa cucumber salad with chickpeas, feta, and herbs in a decorative wooden bowl.
    Quinoa Cucumber Salad with Chickpeas, Feta, and Herbs
  • Fresh fruit salad tossed in a glass bowl and ready to serve.
    Fresh Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
  • Crunchy cucumber salad with garnish in a white bowl.
    Crunchy Cucumber Salad with Peanut Dressing
See more Summer →

Popular Recipes

  • A feature image of the scallop recipe with the linguine being twirled around a fork.
    Easy Bay Scallop Pasta Recipe (Lemon & Garlic Sauce)
  • Beef stroganoff without mushrooms feature image close up in skillet
    Creamy Beef Stroganoff without Mushrooms
  • garbanzo bean soup recipe with chorizo feature image close up
    Cuban Garbanzo Bean Soup with Chorizo
  • Feature image of fried grouper cheeks on a wire rack.
    Grouper Cheeks Recipe (Fried to Perfection)!
  • Bacon and Green Beans on a plate.
    Quick & Easy Southern Bacon and Green Beans
  • Sartin's signature deep fried bbq blue crabs copycat recipe feature image close up of fried crabs on platter on back deck next to a glass of white wine
    Sartin’s Signature Deep Fried BBQ Blue Crabs: Copycat Recipe

Footer

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Mailing List

  • Subscribe

Contact

  • Email

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Powell Family Cooking, LLC

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.