Grilled Avocado Salad with Lime Dressing

🕒 Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook: 3 min
🍽 Serves: 8

Welcome to a refreshing twist on a classic salad! This Grilled Avocado Salad with Lime Dressing is a delightful blend of smoky, creamy, and tangy flavors that’s perfect for any season. The grilled avocados add a unique depth, making it a standout dish for your next meal.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to prepare — perfect for busy weekdays.
  • Combines creamy, tangy, and smoky flavors for a unique taste experience.
  • Grilled avocados add a deliciously unexpected twist.
  • Pairs well with a variety of main dishes, from grilled meats to seafood.

Ingredients

2 ripe avocados, halved and pitted
4 cups mixed salad greens
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup lime juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil

Ingredients Explained

Avocados: The stars of the show! Grilling avocados brings out their natural creaminess and adds a subtle smoky flavor.

Mixed salad greens: A fresh, crisp base that balances the richness of the avocados and feta.

Cherry tomatoes: These add a pop of color and juicy sweetness.

Red onion: Provides a sharp contrast and a bit of crunch.

Feta cheese: Crumbled on top for a salty, tangy finish.

Olive oil: Used for brushing the avocados and in the dressing, it adds richness and helps everything come together.

Lime juice: The acidic component in the dressing that brightens up all the flavors.

Honey: Just a touch to balance the lime’s acidity with a hint of sweetness.

Dijon mustard: Adds a slight tang and depth to the dressing.

Garlic: Minced for a subtle kick in the dressing.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use ripe but firm avocados to ensure they hold their shape on the grill.
  • Preheat the grill fully before adding the avocados to prevent sticking.
  • To easily remove the avocado pit, gently tap it with a knife and twist.

Detailed Instructions

First, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. This is key to getting those nice grill marks on the avocados. While it’s heating up, grab your avocados, cut them in half, and remove the pits. Brush the cut sides with olive oil and give them a good sprinkle of salt and pepper. Place them cut-side down on the grill and let them sizzle away for about 2-3 minutes until they have those beautiful grill marks.

While the avocados are grilling, toss your mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and red onion together in a large bowl. This should be a vibrant, colorful mix.

Next, whisk together the lime juice, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and olive oil in a small bowl. Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste. You want a nice balance of tangy and sweet here.

Once the avocados are done, slice them and add them to your salad. Drizzle the lime dressing over the top and toss everything gently to combine. Finally, sprinkle the crumbled feta over the salad before serving.

Simplified Instructions

1. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
2. Brush the avocado halves with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Place avocados cut-side down on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes until grill marks appear.
4. In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and olive oil.
6. Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Slice the grilled avocado and add to the salad.
8. Drizzle the lime dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
9. Top the salad with crumbled feta cheese before serving.

Serving Suggestions

This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or shrimp for a light and satisfying meal. You can also serve it alongside a hearty soup during colder months for a comforting, balanced dinner. For a bit of crunch, consider adding some toasted nuts or seeds on top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad ingredients and dressing separately and combine them just before serving. Add the avocados last to prevent browning.
What if I don’t have a grill?
You can use a grill pan on the stove to achieve similar results.

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