Arugula Avocado Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing 

Tangy cilantro lime salad that is the perfect healthy side dish for any Mexican meal. Its fresh in flavor and comes together in 15 minutes! With peppery arugula, creamy avocado and fresh tomato all tossed in a cilantro lime dressing seasoned with cumin and sweetened with a touch of honey, it’s a flavor combo you won’t want to miss.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy side salad for a tropical, Mexican or otherwise zesty meal, look no further. Your mission ends here. This zippy arugula cilantro lime salad is bursting with freshness and bold flavor. With juicy tomato and creamy avocado, it has just the right amount of flavor and texture. It’s easily adjustable and can be made in no time at all.

I don’t know about you, but I always struggle to figure out a healthy side when I’m cooking foods like my slow cooker chicken tacos. Sure, those meals are hearty enough on their own, but I like to make a side or two on occasion, especially when we’re having people over.

While refried beans and rice are always an option, let’s face it, they’re boring to no end. I mean, who actually pounds the beans and rice they give you at a Mexican restaurant anyways? I know they’re never my highest priority.

This is where a dish like this arugula and herb salad really shines. Move over beans and rice! We’ve got a new side dish on the table that puts you to shame.

If you need some more salad inspiration, make sure to check out my arsenal of easy salad recipes. I have a simple kale salad recipe that is an absolute favorite around here. If you’re looking for an option with plant based protein, you won’t want to miss this flavorful chickpea salad with tomatoes and basil. The tomatoes are so juicy and it’s just so refreshing!

Ingredients and Substitutions

The ingredients are simple with just arugula, cherry tomatoes and avocados in the salad itself. You can substitute crisp romaine lettuce for the arugula, red pepper for the tomatoes or whatever else you prefer and the add-in options are customizable too. The homemade dressing is a quick cilantro lime vinaigrette with these ingredients:

• extra virgin olive oil – you can substitute avocado oil.
• lime juice – fresh lime juice works best here.
• minced garlic – fresh is best but pre-minced jarred garlic works too. If needed, you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.
• honey – or agave syrup or even just regular sugar. You can leave it out but it really helps balance the acidity in the lime so I wouldn’t recommend it.
• cumin – I don’t recommend substituting this since it’s the predominant spice that gives the recipe it’s flavor.
• fresh cilantro – no substitute here. If you don’t like cilantro, you may want to check out another recipe!

Last time I made this, I ended up eating it for lunch all on its own with just a hard boiled egg on top for protein. With that simple protein addition, it held its own perfectly well as a quick lunch since the fat in the avocado makes it more filling.

That being said, you can add in cotija cheese, black beans, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds or grilled chicken or meat. I have a cilantro Mexican chicken marinade recipe that would be fantastic paired with this southwest salad to turn it into a main dish. You can add tortilla chips for a bit of crunch too like a taco salad.

How to Make Cilantro Lime Salad

You essentially just shake the salad dressing ingredients together in a jar and then pour it over the salad and toss. I save the avocado for last and gently fold that in at the end to keep it from disintegrating too much, but that’s it!

No complicated process steps needed.

Preparing Ahead of Time

Although it doesn’t keep well due to the avocado browning and wilted arugula risk, you could definitely make the dressing ahead of time to speed the overall recipe prep up. I like using mini mason jars since they’re also the perfect size for quick dressings like this but any airtight container will work.

The rest of the dressing should be made fresh though. Otherwise the avocados will turn brown and the tomatoes will loose their juiciness.