Ina Garten's Tomato & Avocado Salad is an Instant Staple

Avocado lovers are guaranteed to swoon over this easy salad.

Jeff Neira/Getty Images
Jeff Neira/Getty Images

Like the rest of us, Ina Garten has zero interest in spending days toiling away in a hot kitchen, and that's exactly what makes the first recipe shared from her cookbook, Cook Like A Pro, such a delight.

Garten graced our Instagram timelines with her Tomato & Avocado Salad from her cookbook and we'd be lying if we said it didn't have us running for the produce aisle. This colorful, juicy, and easy-to-make salad features an A-list cast of stars—tomatoes, avocados, red onion, and arugula—topped off with a fresh lemon dressing. Like many of her tasty recipes, this one deserves a spot in your weekly rotation. Ahead, we share the ingredient list and how Garten makes this refreshing salad. Plus, a few recipes that you can perfectly pair her salad with.

Ingredients You'll Need

This light, flavorful, and delicious tossed salad is made with a plethora of fresh ingredients. Here's what you'll need to make the salad:

  • Lemons

  • Hass avocados

  • Cherry or grape tomatoes

  • Red onion

  • Olive oil

  • Kosher salt

  • Ground black pepper

  • Baby arugula

How to Make Ina Garten's Tomato & Avocado Salad

She starts by gently tossing diced Hass avocados with lemon juice, halved cherry tomatoes, and diced red onion. Then, she adds in a modest helping of her foolproof dressing featuring more lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Finally comes the fresh, peppery arugula and enough dressing to moisten the ingredients completely, and voila: a delicious, sweat-free accompaniment to your main course.

For the full recipe, visit BarefootContessa.com, or pick up a copy of Garten's cookbook, Cook Like A Pro.

Recipes to Pair With Ina Garten's Tomato & Avocado Salad

These delicious entree choices won't disappoint alongside Garten's freshly tossed salad.

Key West Chicken

Will Dickey
Will Dickey

Kick up your basic chicken a notch with this Key West chicken recipe. Marinated with citrusy orange and lime juices, sweet honey, tangy tamari, and garlic, this chicken breast is packed with lots of bold flavors that make every bite feel like you're in paradise. Pair it with the tomato and avocado salad for a complete and healthy meal.

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Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

These crusty on the outside, tender on the inside salmon cakes are the ideal match to Garten's light and lemony salad. Chop fish by hand instead of tossing it in the food processor for the best texture. We also recommend using the meat at the tail for additional flavor from the fat.

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Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks

<p>Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Shell Royster</p>

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

These oven-baked drumsticks are ready and on your plate in less than an hour. The herby and juicy chicken will allow the complex, fruity flavors in Garten's salad to really shine.

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Pan-Seared Flank Steak with Herb Sauce

Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

Who says steak can't be a weeknight meal? Try this flank steak recipe for tender, juicy meat that only takes 35 minutes to make. Purchase flanks that are similar in thickness so they all cook evenly. Serve with the tomato and avocado salad and roasted potatoes for a well-rounded meal.

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Spicy Grilled Chicken Breasts

<p>Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis</p>

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis

The secret to this perfectly cooked juicy chicken breast? Brining the chicken before grilling, which holds in all the moisture. After eating a bite of this spicy chicken, you'll want to take a bite of the refreshing tomato and avocado salad—they simply complement each other.

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Simple Pan-Seared Fish

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

For a nutritious meal, serve this easy pan-seared fish with the colorful tossed tomato and avocado salad. The honey-mustard vinaigrette enhances the fillets. Serve with fresh lemon wedges.

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Related: Ina Garten's Favorite Vinaigrette Recipe

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