Description
A refreshing and vibrant Cucumber Avocado Salad featuring sumac-marinated shallots, toasted sesame seeds, and fresh dill. This easy-to-make vegan and gluten-free salad comes together in just 30 minutes, perfect as a light and healthy side dish during warm weather.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Dressing and Toppings
- 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced (about 1/3 cup)
- 3 Tbsp. rice vinegar
- 2 tsp. ground sumac
- 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
- 2 scant Tbsp. sesame seeds
Salad Base
- 1 lb. cucumbers (English/Hot House or Persian, ideally), cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1 medium ripe avocado, cut into small pieces or thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup fresh dill, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Marinate Shallots: Combine thinly sliced shallots, rice vinegar, ground sumac, and 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt in a small bowl. Massage the sumac into the shallots thoroughly, then let the mixture sit for a minimum of 20 minutes or up to 3 hours to develop vibrant flavors.
- Toast Sesame Seeds: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds for 3 to 5 minutes until they are lightly browned and aromatic. Stir frequently and carefully to avoid burning. Once toasted, set aside to cool.
- Prepare Salad Base: Arrange the bite-sized cucumber chunks and avocado pieces on a large plate or serving platter. Season with the remaining 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt and drizzle evenly with extra-virgin olive oil.
- Assemble the Salad: Scatter the marinated shallots along with any residual rice vinegar over the cucumber and avocado. Garnish the salad with the toasted sesame seeds and chopped fresh dill to finish.
Notes
- For best results, use English, Hot House, or Persian cucumbers for their thin skins and crisp texture.
- Sumac adds a tangy, lemony flavor — if unavailable, lemon zest can be used as a substitute though flavor will vary.
- To make this salad nut-free and vegan, avoid any garnishes that contain dairy or nuts.
- Marinating the shallots longer enhances the flavor, so prepare ahead if possible.
- This salad is ideal served chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.6 cup
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6.5 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
