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Imagine combining the zesty flavors of classic guacamole with the freshness of a salad. That’s exactly what this Guacamole Salad recipe does! It’s a colorful blend of ripe avocados, juicy tomatoes, crisp yellow bell peppers, hearty black beans, onions, and garlic, all tossed together in a vibrant, lime-infused dressing. This recipe is perfect for anyone looking for a quick and tasty salad that’s both filling and easy to make. Plus, it’s been a personal favorite of mine for years, so you know it’s tried and true!
Searching for delightful salad recipes designed for one or two? Explore our zesty Italian Chopped Salad, vibrant Mexican Street Corn Salad, classic Caesar Salad, and our warm and tangy German Potato Salad, perfect in size and taste for small servings.
Why You’ll Love This Guacamole Salad Recipe
- Quick and Easy to Prepare: Assembles in minutes, perfect for a speedy meal.
- Fresh and Healthy Ingredients: Packed with nutrient-rich veggies and avocados.
- Versatile Serving Options: Great as a main dish or a side salad.
- Beautiful Presentation: The lime juice keeps the avocados green, ensuring a vibrant salad.
- Perfect Portion Size: Ideal for a single large serving or two smaller portions.
What Is Guacamole Salad?
Guacamole Salad takes the beloved elements of traditional Mexican guacamole and transforms them into a chunky, fulfilling salad. It’s not just a side dish; it’s substantial enough to be a satisfying main course. This salad maintains the beautiful green hue of avocados thanks to the lime juice in the dressing, making it as appealing to the eye as it is to the palate.
Ingredients
This section provides a quick rundown of the ingredients used in this small batch guacamole salad recipe. For complete measurements and step-by-step instructions, please scroll to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
- Tomatoes: Grape or cherry tomatoes are recommended for their sweet taste and bite-sized convenience, but feel free to use any type of tomato you prefer.
- Yellow Bell Pepper: Half a yellow bell pepper adds a sweet, mild flavor. If you have leftovers, they can be used in other single serving and small batch dishes like Chicken Tacos, Sheet Pan Greek Chicken, and Vegetarian Chili.
- Beans: Use canned black beans for ease and quick preparation. Leftover beans can be used in Baked Black Bean Tacos, Cowboy Caviar, and Black Bean Soup.
- Red Onion: Chosen for its mild, slightly peppery flavor, red onions are less intense than yellow onions, making them ideal for salads. Use leftover onions in Chicken Shawarma, Macaroni Salad, and Chicken Caprese.
- Jalapeño Pepper: A small amount of fresh jalapeño adds a zesty kick. While jarred jalapeños are an alternative, fresh jalapeños offer a brighter flavor. Use any leftover jalapeños in other recipes. Leftover jalapeños can be used to make cheesy Jalapeño Poppers, Salsa, and Carne Asada.
- Lime: Freshly squeezed lime juice is preferred for its vibrant flavor, and the zest can be used to add extra tang to the dressing. Bottled lime juice is an alternative, but fresh provides the best taste.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is the top choice for its unrefined quality, rich olive flavor, and nutritional benefits. If desired, a lighter olive oil can be substituted.
- Seasonings: A combination of salt, black pepper, and a hint of cayenne pepper enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Garlic: Just one minced clove of garlic is needed to add depth to the salad.
- Avocado: Half an avocado is used, lending creaminess and richness to the salad. Use the other half of the avocado in a delightful Breakfast Sandwich, Avocado Toast, or in an Avocado Salad.
Recipe Variations
Get creative with your Guacamole Salad by exploring these delightful recipe variations to suit your taste and dietary preferences:
- Spicy Kick: Add extra jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
- Extra Protein: Toss in grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
- Cheesy Twist: Sprinkle with cotija or feta cheese.
- Creamier Texture: Blend part of the avocado for a smoother salad.
- Corn Addition: Mix in some sweet corn for extra sweetness and texture.
How To Make Guacamole Salad
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a small batch of Guacamole Salad. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, add the tomatoes, yellow pepper, black beans, red onion, and jalapeño pepper.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a smaller bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the vegetables in the medium-sized bowl, then gently mix everything together with a spoon to ensure even coating.
- Adding Avocado: Right before serving, gently fold in the chopped avocado to maintain its freshness and texture, completing your Guacamole Salad.
Expert Tips
- Opt for Quality Ingredients: Use extra virgin olive oil for its rich flavor and fresh lime juice to enhance the zestiness of the salad.
- Personalize Your Salad: This recipe is flexible, allowing you to adjust the quantities to your liking. Consider adding a tablespoon or two of finely chopped cilantro for an extra burst of flavor.
- Gentle Mixing to Preserve Avocado: Avoid over-stirring the salad to keep the avocado pieces intact and prevent them from becoming mushy. Instead, gently fold the avocado into the salad to maintain its chunky texture.
- Additional Ingredient Suggestion: For a sweet and smoky twist, try adding 1/4 cup of grilled corn to the salad.
Serving Suggestions
Elevate your Guacamole Salad with these versatile single serving ideas that complement its fresh and zesty flavors:
- As a Main Dish: Pair with crunchy Chicken Nuggets or Baked Shrimp for a heartier meal.
- With Chips: Enjoy as a chunky dip with a small batch of homemade tortilla chips.
- On Toast: Enjoy with a slice of homemade French bread for a quick and nutritious snack.
- Alongside Tacos: Serve as a fresh side with Beef Tacos or Enchiladas.
- With Rice: Mix into rice for a flavorful rice bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
To keep the salad fresh, especially the avocados, prepare the other ingredients and the dressing in advance and mix them. Add the avocados just before serving to prevent them from browning.
Absolutely! You can easily double the recipe by simply increasing each ingredient proportionally.
Yes, you can enhance the salad with a protein like 1 cup of cooked chicken or steak like a beef tenderloin. It’s a great way to add more substance to the salad.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this guacamole salad or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Guacamole Salad For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 grape tomatoes , sliced in half
- ¼ cup chopped yellow bell pepper
- ⅓ cup canned black beans , rinsed and drained (about 3-ounces)
- 2 tablespoons chopped red onions
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped jalapeño pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ⅛ teaspoon lime zest
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ medium avocado seeded, peeled, and diced
Instructions
- Place the tomatoes, yellow pepper, black beans, red onion, and jalapeño pepper in a medium-sized bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, garlic, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper and pour over the vegetables. Use a spoon and mix everything together.
- Fold in the chopped avocado and enjoy.
Notes
- Opt for Quality Ingredients: Use extra virgin olive oil for its rich flavor and fresh lime juice to enhance the zestiness of the salad.
- Personalize Your Salad: This recipe is flexible, allowing you to adjust the quantities to your liking. Consider adding a tablespoon or two of finely chopped cilantro for an extra burst of flavor.
- Gentle Mixing to Preserve Avocado: Avoid over-stirring the salad to keep the avocado pieces intact and prevent them from becoming mushy. Instead, gently fold the avocado into the salad to maintain its chunky texture.
- Additional Ingredient Suggestion: For a sweet and smoky twist, try adding 1/4 cup of grilled corn to the salad.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I thought I had everything, but no lime/juice. Would lemon be a substitute?
Yes, a great substitute.