This summer salad with avocado is a fun and flavorful twist to traditional salads. It blends the freshness of seasonal fruits and vegetables like grape tomatoes and corn, with the creaminess of avocado and the rich, delicate flavor of crab meat. It’s a perfect dish to throw together for a quick lunch or dinner, or to serve as a side at your next summer barbecue.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are quite common and easy to find. However, lump crab meat might not be in everyone's fridge. You can usually find this in the seafood section of your supermarket. Also, hot peppers vary greatly in heat levels, so choose one that suits your tolerance. Roasted corn kernels add a lovely sweet and smoky flavor to the dish. You can either roast fresh corn on the cob or buy pre-roasted kernels.
Ingredients for the Summer Salad with Avocado
Lump crab meat: This forms the protein base of the salad. It's delicate and slightly sweet flavor pairs well with the other ingredients.
Grape tomatoes: These tiny tomatoes add a pop of color and a burst of juicy flavor to the salad.
Avocado: Avocado adds creaminess and richness to the salad, balancing out the other flavors.
Hot peppers: These add a kick of heat to the salad. You can adjust the amount based on your heat tolerance.
Roasted corn kernels: These add a sweet, smoky flavor to the salad.
Red onion: Red onion adds a sharp, slightly sweet flavor that contrasts the creamy avocado.
Limes: Lime juice adds a tangy freshness that brightens up the whole salad.
Olive oil: This adds a light, fruity note and helps to meld all the flavors together.
Cilantro: Cilantro adds a fresh, herby punch to the salad.
One reader, Benita Levy says:
This summer salad with avocado recipe is a game-changer! The combination of crab meat, avocado, and roasted corn is simply divine. The flavors are so fresh and vibrant, and the dish is incredibly satisfying. I love the zesty kick from the lime and hot peppers. It's a must-try for any summer gathering!
Mastering the Art of Salad Making: Essential Techniques
How to marinate red onion: In a small bowl, combine red onion, lime juice, olive oil, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to marinate for at least 5 minutes to mellow the flavor of the onion.
How to combine the salad ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chopped crab meat, avocado, tomatoes, hot pepper, and roasted corn. Then, add the marinated red onion mixture and cilantro, and gently toss all the ingredients together.
How to adjust the seasoning: After combining all the ingredients, taste the salad and adjust the lime juice, salt, and pepper to your preference.
How To Make Summer Salad with Avocado
A great summer salad is a refreshing mix of neutral tastes, a hint of sweetness, and a little bit sour. Combine tomatoes, corn, and avocado for this dish.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 12ozlump crab meat
- 1pintgrape tomatoes,cut in half
- 1hass avocado,diced
- 2hot peppers
- 1½cupsroasted corn kernels
- ⅓cupchopped red onion
- 2limes
- 1tspolive oil
- 2tbspcilantro,chopped
- salt and fresh pepper,to taste
Instructions
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In a small bowl combine red onion, lime juice, olive oil, pinch of salt and pepper.
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Let them marinate at least 5 minutes to mellow the flavor of the onion.
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In a large bowl combine chopped crab meat, avocado, tomatoes, hot pepper and corn.
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Combine all the ingredients together, add cilantro and gently toss.
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Adjust lime juice, salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition
- Calories: 156.03kcal
- Fat: 5.86g
- Saturated Fat: 0.88g
- Trans Fat: 0.01g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3.46g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.94g
- Carbohydrates: 16.46g
- Fiber: 4.33g
- Sugar: 3.85g
- Protein: 11.32g
- Cholesterol: 47.14mg
- Sodium: 462.00mg
- Calcium: 66.99mg
- Potassium: 548.51mg
- Iron: 0.98mg
- Vitamin A: 34.80µg
- Vitamin C: 36.01mg
Elevate Your Salad Skills: Pro Technique Tips
When chopping the avocado, make sure to cut it last to prevent it from browning. If you're preparing the salad in advance, squeeze some lime juice over the avocado to keep it fresh and vibrant. This will not only maintain the color but also enhance the flavor of the salad.
Time-Saving Hacks for Preparing a Delightful Summer Salad
Prep ahead: Chop vegetables and cook grains in advance to save time when making the salad.
Use pre-cooked crab meat: Opt for pre-cooked lump crab meat to save time on cooking and cleaning.
Buy pre-roasted corn: Purchase pre-roasted corn kernels to skip the step of roasting them yourself.
Invest in a citrus squeezer: Using a citrus squeezer can help you extract more juice from limes quickly and efficiently.
Organize ingredients: Before you start, organize all your ingredients and tools to streamline the cooking process.
Use a food processor: Consider using a food processor to quickly chop the vegetables and herbs for the salad.
Multi-task: While the onions are marinating, you can prepare the other ingredients to save time.
Prep in bulk: Consider making a larger batch of the salad and storing it for quick and easy meals throughout the week.
Substitute Ingredients For Summer Salad with Avocado Recipe
lump crab meat - Substitute with cooked shrimp: Shrimp can provide a similar texture and flavor to crab meat, adding a delicious seafood element to the salad.
grape tomatoes - Substitute with cherry tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes are a suitable replacement, offering a similar sweet and juicy flavor to complement the salad.
hass avocado - Substitute with ripe mango: Ripe mango can provide a sweet and creamy texture similar to avocado, adding a tropical twist to the salad.
hot peppers - Substitute with jalapeños: Jalapeños can offer a similar level of heat and a slightly different flavor profile, adding a spicy kick to the salad.
roasted corn kernels - Substitute with grilled zucchini: Grilled zucchini can provide a similar smoky flavor and crunchy texture, adding a delicious twist to the salad.
red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can offer a milder and sweeter flavor compared to red onions, complementing the salad without overpowering the other ingredients.
limes - Substitute with lemons: Lemons can provide a similar level of acidity and citrusy flavor, enhancing the freshness of the salad.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil can offer a similar richness and a slightly nutty flavor, providing a healthy and flavorful alternative for dressing the salad.
cilantro - Substitute with flat-leaf parsley: Flat-leaf parsley can offer a fresh and herbaceous flavor, complementing the salad with a different herbaceous note.
Elevate Your Salad Game: Presentation Tips
Elevate the crab meat: Gently mound the crab meat in the center of the plate using a ring mold for a clean and elegant presentation.
Artfully arrange the avocado: Slice the avocado thinly and fan it out around the crab meat, creating a visually appealing and luxurious look.
Garnish with vibrant tomatoes: Place the grape tomatoes around the crab and avocado, adding pops of color and freshness to the dish.
Incorporate a touch of heat: Finely slice the hot peppers and strategically place them on the plate to add a hint of spice and visual interest.
Sprinkle with roasted corn kernels: Scatter the roasted corn kernels around the plate to provide a delightful crunch and enhance the overall presentation.
Add a burst of flavor with red onion: Sprinkle the marinated red onions over the dish, adding a zesty and aromatic element to the presentation.
Drizzle with lime-infused olive oil: Carefully drizzle a small amount of lime-infused olive oil around the plate, adding a touch of brightness and sophistication.
Garnish with fresh cilantro: Sprinkle fresh cilantro leaves over the dish for a burst of vibrant green color and a delightful herbal aroma.
Season with finesse: Finish the dish with a light sprinkle of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavors and elevate the overall presentation.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Crafting the Perfect Summer Salad
- Food processor: A food processor is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for chopping, slicing, shredding, and pureeing ingredients. It's perfect for making salad dressings, chopping vegetables, or even making homemade dips.
- Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is an essential tool for combining ingredients. It comes in various sizes and materials, such as stainless steel, glass, or ceramic, and is used for mixing salad dressings, tossing salads, or marinating ingredients.
Preserving Freshness: Storing and Freezing Salad Tips
- This summer salad is best served immediately after preparing, as the avocado and tomatoes can become soggy over time.
- If you need to make the salad ahead of time, prepare all the ingredients except for the avocado and store them separately in the refrigerator. Add the avocado and toss the salad together just before serving.
- Leftover salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days, although the quality may deteriorate slightly due to the avocado and tomatoes.
- It is not recommended to freeze this salad, as the texture of the avocado, tomatoes, and crab meat will become mushy and unappetizing upon thawing.
- If you have leftover roasted corn kernels, those can be stored separately in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat the corn before adding it to the salad.
Surprising Trivia About Avocado Salads
Avocado is a fruit, not a vegetable. It is botanically classified as a berry, and it belongs to the same family as cinnamon.
Budget-Friendly Cooking: Is This Salad Recipe Economical?
The cost-effectiveness of this summer salad with avocado recipe largely depends on the availability and cost of ingredients. Lump crab meat and avocado can be pricey, but the use of roasted corn kernels and tomatoes can balance the cost. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $30-$40. Considering the nutritional value and the use of fresh ingredients, this recipe can be rated 8/10 for its taste and health benefits.
Is This Summer Salad Recipe Healthy?
This summer salad with avocado and crab meat is a nutritious and refreshing dish that packs a punch of flavor. The recipe incorporates a variety of healthy ingredients, such as:
- Lump crab meat, which is low in calories and high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids
- Avocado, a great source of healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber, and vitamins K, C, and B6
- Grape tomatoes, rich in lycopene, vitamin C, and antioxidants
- Roasted corn kernels, providing dietary fiber and essential minerals
- Cilantro, known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
The use of lime juice and olive oil as a dressing keeps the salad light and refreshing while adding a zesty tang. The red onion and hot peppers add a nice kick and boost the salad's overall flavor profile.
To make this salad even healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Opt for fresh, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible to ensure maximum nutrient content
- Use a mix of colorful heirloom tomatoes to increase the variety of antioxidants and phytochemicals
- Experiment with different types of leafy greens, such as baby spinach or arugula, to add more vitamins and minerals
- Incorporate additional nutrient-dense vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, or radishes for added crunch and flavor
- Sprinkle some toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds on top for an extra boost of healthy fats and protein
Editor's Take: Thoughts on This Refreshing Avocado Salad
This summer salad with avocado recipe is a delightful combination of fresh and vibrant flavors. The lump crab meat adds a touch of indulgence, while the avocado and roasted corn bring a creamy sweetness to the dish. The heat from the hot peppers and the acidity from the lime juice create a perfect balance of flavors. The addition of grape tomatoes adds a burst of freshness, and the red onion adds a subtle sharpness. Overall, this salad is a refreshing and satisfying dish that is perfect for a light summer meal or as a side dish for a barbecue.
Enhance Your Summer Salad with Avocado Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Explore More: Alternative Salad Recipes to Try
Complete Your Meal: Appetizer and Dessert Ideas
Why trust this Summer Salad with Avocado Recipe:
This recipe is a must-try for anyone looking for a refreshing and flavorful summer salad. The combination of fresh crab meat, creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, and the smoky sweetness of roasted corn creates a delightful medley of flavors and textures. The addition of zesty lime juice and aromatic cilantro enhances the dish, while the marinated red onion adds a depth of flavor. With the perfect balance of heat from the hot peppers and the richness of olive oil, this recipe promises a tantalizing culinary experience.
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