Simple Green Salad with Avocado and Almonds

Fresh, crisp, and loaded with texture – this green salad is anything but boring.

There’s something beautiful about simplicity in food, and this Simple Green Salad proves it. With buttery soft lettuce, crunchy pepitas, creamy avocado, and the unexpected flavor punch of roasted tamari almonds, this bowl of greens is full of balance and bite.

This salad is quick to prepare, easy to love, and makes the perfect side or light main dish. It’s also packed with healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants from the fresh greens, avocado, and almonds.

Make it for a weekday lunch, serve it as a dinner side, or enjoy it solo with your favorite protein. It’s clean, fresh, and incredibly satisfying.

How to Make this Simple Green Salad at Home

The foundation of any great salad is, of course, the greens. While I love a good kale bowl or mixed spring greens blend, there’s something extra refreshing about keeping it classic with crisp, soft lettuce.

For this salad, I recommend choosing lettuces with tender leaves and firm, fresh-looking stems. Butter lettuce varieties like Bibb or Boston are my personal favorites for their delicate flavor and smooth texture. Romaine or red leaf lettuce work wonderfully too. Feel free to mix and match a few types; the combination adds depth and looks beautiful on the plate!

Wash and Dry with Care

Once you’ve picked your greens, gently separate the leaves and give them a good rinse. To keep them fresh and unbruised, dry them carefully—ideally in a salad spinner. It’s one of my favorite kitchen tools because it dries the leaves quickly without damaging them.

If you don’t have one, no worries! Just lay the washed leaves out on a clean kitchen towel to air dry while you prep the rest of the ingredients.

Add-Ins That Make It Special

Once your greens are ready, it’s time for the fun part: the toppings! For this simple green salad, I like to add:

• Thinly sliced Persian cucumber – cool, crisp, and refreshing
• Ripe avocado for creaminess and richness
• Shaved Parmesan – adds a savory, salty bite
• Roasted pepitas and tamari almonds – give the perfect crunch and depth
• A light lemon olive oil vinaigrette to tie it all together

Together, these ingredients create a salad that’s fresh and vibrant with the right balance of textures crunchy, creamy, salty, and crisp.

Mix It Up: Optional Add-Ons

This salad is super flexible, so don’t hesitate to make it your own! Here are a few ways you can switch it up:

• Swap the cheese: Try crumbled goat cheese, feta, or even skip cheese for a dairy-free version.
• Add sweetness: A handful of dried cranberries or sliced apples adds a pop of natural sweetness.
• Make it crunchier: Toss in homemade croutons or roasted chickpeas.
• Go nut-free: Replace almonds with sunflower seeds or stick with just pepitas.
• Try a new dressing: This salad pairs well with tahini dressing, balsamic vinaigrette, honey mustard, or anything you love.
• Add more veggies: Radishes, cherry tomatoes, carrots, or even spring asparagus are great additions.

Simple Green Salad with Avocado and Almonds

With buttery soft lettuce, crunchy pepitas, creamy avocado, and the unexpected flavor punch of roasted tamari almonds, this bowl of greens is full of balance and bite – proof that simple can be seriously satisfying.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 2

Calories 230 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Salad:

• 1 small head soft lettuce like butter or Bibb, torn into bite-sized pieces
• 1 Persian cucumber thinly sliced
• 1 ripe avocado thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons shaved Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons roasted pepitas pumpkin seeds
• 2 tablespoons roasted Tamari almonds roughly chopped
• A small handful of microgreens optional
• Flaky sea salt to taste (optional)

Optional Dressing Simple Lemon-Olive Oil Vinaigrette

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Step 1: Wash and gently dry the lettuce and microgreens. Arrange in a large salad bowl or plate.
  
• Step 2: Add sliced cucumber, avocado, and Parmesan cheese evenly over the greens.
  
• Step 3: Sprinkle with pepitas and chopped tamari almonds.
• Step 4: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and pepper. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving.
  
• Step 5: Finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt if desired and is ready to serve.

Notes

Why You’ll Love This Salad

• Ready in 10 minutes
• A great mix of creamy, crunchy, salty, and fresh
• Healthy fats and fiber-rich ingredients
• No cooking required
• Easily customizable with seasonal add-ins

 

Suggested Variations

• Add Protein: Top with grilled chicken, boiled eggs, chickpeas, or smoked salmon.
• Try a Different Cheese: Swap Parmesan with crumbled goat cheese or feta.
• Change the Nuts: Use roasted cashews, walnuts, or pistachios instead of tamari almonds.
• Make it Vegan: Skip the cheese or use a vegan alternative.

Keyword Avocado salad, Easy salad ideas, Green salad recipe

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