Strawberry Avocado Salad with Lemon Dressing
This Strawberry Avocado Salad is made with simple ingredients and comes together in less than 30 minutes. Sliced strawberries are soaked in a tangy lemon dressing, which gives them so much extra flavor. Combine the marinated strawberries with creamy avocado wedges and fresh basil for a simple, seasonal side dish that's ideal for spring and summer. Optional hemp hearts add protein to this plant-based recipe!
As soon as salad season rolls around, you can be sure I'm putting together this simple and delicious strawberry + avocado combination. It only takes about 20 minutes to make and works great as a side dish throughout the spring and summer seasons.
Whether it's a simple family meal or a big party (Easter, Mother's Day, outdoor BBQ), this recipe is the ideal warm weather accompaniment to serve with any protein.
Try it with Cranberry Chickpea Salad Sandwiches and Quick Pickled Carrots for a full meal!
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Ingredients
Strawberry and avocado are a classic combination for good reason. Sweet and juicy strawberries balance out the rich and creamy texture of the avocados. Tart lemon dressing brightness, and thanks to the hemp seeds, extra plant-based protein to this dish.
Here's what you'll need:
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Lemon
- Fresh basil
- Fresh mint (optional)
- Hemp seeds (optional)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Honey (or agave nectar for vegan option, optional)
- Salt
- Pepper
See the recipe card at the end of this post for ingredient quantities.
Instructions
This is a basic summary of how to make strawberry avocado salad.
Whisk together the dressing ingredients.
Marinate the strawberries in the dressing.
Mix the salad.
Hint: Marinating (soaking) the strawberries in lemon dressing causes the flavors of the dressing to penetrate the fruit and deepens their flavor.
Substitutions
A few suggestions for ingredient swaps:
- Vegan: Use agave nectar instead of honey, or omit the sweetener completely if preferred.
- Mint: Substitute with fresh basil or parsley.
Variations
Make it your own:
- Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing: Substitute poppy seeds for the hemp seeds.
- Spinach: Add 2 cups roughly chopped baby spinach to the salad.
- Chickpeas: Add a can of chickpeas to make this salad more filling (drain and rinse them first).
See this Spring Salad with Tahini Dressing for another party-worthy salad option!
Equipment
- Knife and cutting board: for slicing the produce and herbs.
- Mixing bowls: You'll need one bowl (or jar) to mix the dressing and another to marinate the strawberries and toss together the salad.
Storage
Feel free to make the lemon dressing ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two weeks. (I like to keep mine in a glass jar with a lid.)
This salad isn't freezer-friendly.
Top tip
Wait to slice the avocados and make sure they're fully coated in the lemon dressing to prevent them from browning too quickly.
FAQ
Hemp hearts are technically the soft, inner kernels of hemp seeds, but both names are often used interchangeably. Look for either hemp seeds or hemp hearts in packages or in the bulk section.
Related
Looking for more easy salad recipes? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Strawberry Avocado Salad:
📖 Recipe
Strawberry Avocado Salad with Lemon Dressing
Equipment
- Knife and cutting board
- Mixing bowls
Ingredients
Lemon Hemp Dressing:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint (optional)
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Strawberry Avocado Salad:
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 2 avocados sliced into wedges
- ¼ cup fresh basil, torn
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the dressing:
- Whisk olive oil, lemon peel, lemon juice, hemp hearts (if using), mint (if using), honey or agave nectar (if using), salt, and pepper.
Prepare the salad:
- Pour half of the lemon dressing over the sliced strawberries and gently toss until evenly coated. Set aside for at least 10 minutes.
- Arrange avocado wedges, sliced strawberries, basil, and hemp hearts (if using) on a serving dish. Pour the remaining dressing over the mixture and gently toss until evenly coated. Enjoy!
Notes
- Vegan: Use agave nectar instead of honey, or omit the sweetener completely if preferred.
- Making Ahead: The lemon dressing can be prepared up to 2 weeks in advance. Make the salad immediately before serving.
- Storage: Store prepared dressing in an airtight container (such as a jar with lid) and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. This salad is best enjoyed immediately, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days if needed. (Coating the avocado in the lemon dressing will slow the browning process.)
- Nutrition facts are estimates only and are calculated with optional ingredients included.
