Summer Avocado Salad

A good salad has lots of contrasting colors, textures and flavors, and this avocado salad has it all: buttery chunks of avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp bell peppers and cucumbers, fresh herbs, and a tangy vinaigrette. For best results, let the tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers marinate in the dressing for at least 20 minutes before adding the avocados. This resting time draws out the juices from the vegetables, adding delicious fresh flavor to the vinaigrette. Use a light hand when mixing in the avocados, as they break down the more you toss them. Serve the salad as a light lunch or side dish to grilled meats for supper.

What You’ll Need To Make Summer Avocado Salad

Be sure to choose perfectly ripe avocados for the salad. A ripe avocado should yield to pressure when gently squeezed with the palm of your hand. If your avocados ripen before you’re ready to use them, pop them in the fridge; this will significantly slow down the ripening process. If you need to speed up the ripening process, place the avocados in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana and fold the bag shut. Let the fruits (yes, avocado is a fruit!) sit together overnight on the counter and the avocados will ripen quickly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk the vinegar, oil, water, salt, pepper, sugar, and garlic.