This tomato avocado salad is fresh, simple, and packed with flavor. Made with ripe tomatoes and creamy avocado, it comes together in minutes and pairs perfectly with tacos, grilled meats, or healthy bowls. It's naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and made from whole food ingredients, making it a great option for clean eating.
While often called a salad, this recipe also doubles as a chunky avocado salsa, making it incredibly versatile for topping everything from lettuce wraps to stuffed sweet potatoes.
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Why You'll Love This Tomato Avocado Salad
This salad is all about simple ingredients and bold flavor.
- Ready in 10 minutes
- Made with fresh, whole ingredients
- Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free
- Works as a salad or a salsa
- Perfect for tacos, bowls, or burritos
Unlike many versions, this recipe is carefully balanced so the avocado doesn't overpower the tomatoes, giving you a fresh, bright flavor in every bite.
Tomato Avocado Salad vs Salsa (What's the Difference?)
This recipe is somewhere between a fresh salad and a fresh chunky salsa, and that's exactly what makes it so versatile.
Traditional salsa is made with tomatoes, onion, jalapeños, cilantro, garlic, and lime, while guacamole is mashed and avocado-based. This recipe combines elements of both, using diced avocado and tomatoes for a fresh, spoonable texture. Because of that, it can be served as a salad or a salsa with chips.
Ingredients
You'll only need a handful of fresh ingredients.
- fresh tomatoes
- avocado
- red onion
- fresh lime
- cilantro
- salt and pepper
How to Make Tomato Avocado Salad
Add all of your ingredients to a large bowl.
Gently mix everything until well combined.
How to Keep Avocado from Browning
One of the biggest challenges with avocado recipes is browning. Here's what works:
- Toss the avocado with lime juice immediately after cutting
- Store tightly covered with minimal air exposure
This will slow oxidation and keep your salad fresh longer. Following these steps, the salad usually keeps for up to one day before the avocado starts browning.
Best Tomatoes to Use
Not all tomatoes work equally well here. Here are the best options:
- Roma tomatoes (less watery)
- Campari tomatoes (sweet and balanced)
- Cherry tomatoes (great texture and less juice)
If your tomatoes are pretty juicy, remove some of the seeds to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
How to Serve Tomato Avocado Salad
This is such a versatile recipe, but here are some of my favorite ways to use it:
- a fresh side dish
- a topping for tacos
- a spoonable salsa for chips
- a topping for grilled chicken or fish
- a finishing touch for grain bowls
It's especially delicious on taco bowls or stuffed sweet potatoes with chipotle sauce.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. The avocados usually start browning after the first day.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Guacamole is mashed and avocado-based, while this salad is diced and tomato-forward with a lighter, fresher texture.
You can prep the tomatoes, onion, and cilantro ahead of time, but I recommend adding the avocado and lime juice just before serving for the best texture and color.
This recipe is intentionally simple with just lime juice, but you can add a drizzle of olive oil if you prefer a slightly richer, more traditional salad texture.
More recipes like this
Tomato Avocado Salad
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups diced tomatoes about 2 medium tomatoes
- 1 large avocado
- ⅓ cup finely diced red onion
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Use a spatula and gently fold your ingredients together in a large bowl. Be careful not to overmix so the avocado doesn't become mushy.
- Garnish with a bit more freshly chopped cilantro and enjoy!
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