Description
A refreshing salad with crisp green beans, creamy avocado, and a tangy avocado dressing, perfect for a light meal or a side dish.
Ingredients
- For the Salad:
- 500g (1 lb) green beans, trimmed and cut into 5cm (2″) pieces
- 3 ripe tomatoes, cut into thin wedges
- 1 large avocado (or 2 medium), diced into 1.5cm (2/3″) pieces
- ½ red bell pepper (capsicum), diced
- ½ small red onion, finely diced
- ½ cucumber, thinly sliced (optional, for added freshness)
- For the Creamy Avocado Dressing:
- ½ ripe avocado (about 1/2 medium)
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp Greek yogurt (plain, unsweetened; or sour cream for a richer option)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 4 tbsp water (to thin out the dressing)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Optional:
- A pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika for an extra kick!
Instructions
- For the Dressing: Place the avocado, olive oil, yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper into a small food processor or blender (like a Nutribullet). Add water a tablespoon at a time to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency. Blitz until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt, lemon juice, or pepper if needed. For a smoky twist, add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper.
- For the Salad:
- Prepare the Green Beans: Steam or blanch the green beans until tender but still bright green (about 3–5 minutes). You can microwave them for about 5 minutes on high, or steam on the stovetop. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled green beans, tomatoes, diced avocado, bell pepper, red onion, and cucumber (if using).
- Toss the Salad: Drizzle half of the creamy avocado dressing over the salad. Toss gently to combine, making sure everything is evenly coated.
- Serve: Serve the salad with the remaining dressing on the side for guests to add as desired. Alternatively, drizzle the remaining dressing over the salad for a more polished presentation.
Notes
- Extra Greens: Add some fresh baby spinach, arugula, or mixed greens for a boost of color and flavor.
- Add Protein: For a more filling meal, add some grilled chicken, chickpeas, or crumbled feta.
- Crunchy Texture: Add some toasted sunflower seeds or chopped nuts like almonds for a crunchy finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing, Blending
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 270mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
