Juicy Spring Salad with Avocado

This juicy spring salad with avocado brings together the freshest flavors of the season in one vibrant bowl. The creamy texture of ripe avocados pairs perfectly with crisp greens and a bright, tangy lime dressing that elevates the entire dish.

I first created this salad when hosting an impromptu garden lunch last May. The avocados were perfectly ripe and my herbs were flourishing in the garden. Now it's become my go to dish whenever I want something light yet satisfying.

Ingredients

• Lemon juice: Prevents browning of the avocados while adding a subtle brightness
• Avocados: Choose ones that yield slightly to gentle pressure for perfect ripeness
• Spring salad mix: Provides a variety of textures and flavors look for packages with fresh leaves and no wilting
• Plum tomatoes: These hold their shape better than other varieties and have a concentrated flavor
• Red onion: Adds a pleasant sharpness that balances the creamy elements
• Walnuts: Toasting them enhances their nutty flavor and adds essential crunch
• Olive oil: Use a good quality extra virgin for the best flavor profile
• Fresh herbs: Parsley and cilantro bring brightness and complexity to the dressing
• Sour cream: Creates a luxurious creaminess in the dressing without heaviness
• Lime juice: The citrus backbone of the dressing providing essential acidity
• Yellow mustard: Acts as an emulsifier while adding depth to the dressing
• Seasonings: Salt pepper and a touch of sugar balance the flavors perfectly

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Avocados:

Place diced avocados in a small bowl and drizzle with lemon juice tossing gently to coat all pieces. This crucial step prevents browning and adds a subtle brightness that complements the lime dressing. Make sure to use ripe but firm avocados that hold their shape when diced.

Combine Salad Ingredients:

In a large serving bowl gently toss together the spring mix tomatoes red onion and walnuts. Add the lemon coated avocados last and mix with a light hand to prevent crushing them. The variety of textures here creates an interesting mouthfeel with each bite.

Make the Dressing:

Whisk olive oil parsley cilantro sour cream lime juice mustard salt pepper and sugar in a small bowl until completely emulsified. The mustard helps bind the oil and acidic ingredients creating a smooth consistent dressing. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed the dressing should be bright and tangy.

Dress the Salad:

Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients just before serving. Toss gently using wooden utensils to evenly distribute the dressing without bruising the delicate greens or crushing the avocado pieces. The warmth from the toasted walnuts will slightly wilt some greens creating a wonderful contrast of textures.

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The fresh cilantro is truly the unsung hero in this recipe. I grow it in my kitchen windowsill year round because it adds such a distinctive freshness to this salad. My daughter who claimed to hate cilantro actually requests this salad specifically because of how the herb blends with the creamy avocado and tangy dressing.

Make Ahead Options

While this salad is best enjoyed immediately after assembly you can prepare many components ahead of time. Wash and dry the greens chop the tomatoes and onions and make the dressing up to 24 hours in advance. Store everything separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The avocados should always be cut just before serving to prevent browning even with the lemon juice protection.

Variations To Try

This salad welcomes many adaptations based on what you have available. In summer try adding grilled corn kernels or diced cucumber for extra freshness. For protein add grilled chicken shrimp or chickpeas to make it a complete meal. If you prefer a vegan version simply substitute the sour cream with coconut yogurt or a plant based sour cream alternative the flavor profile remains delicious.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve this vibrant salad alongside grilled fish or chicken for a complete spring meal. It also pairs beautifully with a crusty bread to soak up the extra dressing. For entertaining arrange the salad on a large platter rather than tossing it creating a stunning visual presentation where guests can see all the colorful ingredients before mixing.

The Secret To Perfect Avocados

The key to this salad lies in selecting perfectly ripe avocados. Look for fruits that yield slightly to gentle pressure but aren't soft or mushy. To speed up ripening place avocados in a paper bag with a banana or apple. Once ripe transfer them to the refrigerator to slow the process until you're ready to use them. Always dice avocados last when preparing this salad to minimize exposure to air.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How should I prevent avocado from browning?

Drizzling avocado with lemon or lime juice helps prevent browning and adds a zesty flavor.

→ Can I make the salad ahead of time?

The salad can be prepared a few hours ahead, but wait to toss with the dressing until right before serving.

→ Can I customize the dressing ingredients?

Feel free to adjust the dressing by adding more herbs, substituting sour cream with yogurt, or tweaking salt and lime levels.

→ What can I substitute for walnuts?

Pecans, almonds, or sunflower seeds work well as substitutes for walnuts in this salad.

→ Can I add protein to this salad?

Grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas can be added to make the salad heartier and protein-rich.