Avocado Recipes - Cooking Light

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Our Favorite Avocado Recipes

Avocados aren't made strictly for guacamole. During the warmer months, they can be paired with a variety of ingredients in salsas, salads, and as a delicious spread. Flip through our gallery to find original ideas for this delicious ingredient.

Every summer, fresh ears of corn pile on roadside stands along the Delmarva Peninsula in Delaware. Riki Senn uses this abundance of local produce to bring bright sweetness to this recipe. The cool creaminess of a Hass avocado is the perfect addition to temper the spicy bite from the radishes and add extra flavor and texture.

View Recipe: Roasted Corn and Radish Salad with Avocado-Herb Dressing

Photo: Levi Brown

Grilled Pineapple-Avocado Salsa

The sweet pineapple pairs expertly with cool avocado. Whether served with tacos, alongside grilled fish, or scooped on to a tortilla chip you won't want to miss this one.

View Recipe: Grilled Pineapple-Avocado Salsa

Photo: John Autry

Tuna Melts with Avocado

You can serve these with carrot and celery sticks and a bit of light ranch dressing on the side for dipping.

View Recipe: Tuna Melts with Avocado

Photo: John Autry

Ancho Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw and Avocado Cream

Avocado cream provides a cooling counterpoint to the spicy ancho chicken in this recipe. We love what the cilantro slaw does to the texture of the dish.

View Recipe: Ancho Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw and Avocado Cream

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Pork, Pineapple, and Anaheim Chile Salad with Avocado

Pork and pineapple go together like peas and carrots but, pair cooling avocado and spicy chiles and you have achieved yet another dynamic duo.

View Recipe: Pork, Pineapple, and Anaheim Chile Salad with Avocado

Photo: Randy Mayor

Quick Vegetarian Chili with Avocado Salsa

The southwestern ingredients in this recipe scream to be garnished with avocado. Skip the sour cream for an equally cooling condiment.

View Recipe: Quick Vegetarian Chili with Avocado Salsa

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Heirloom Tomato and Avocado Stack

For the prettiest presentation, choose purple, orange, green, and red heirloom tomatoes. Cilantro lends the dressing peppery flavor and a subtle green hue. Vary the taste of the dressing by using basil and lemon rind. The dressing will keep for a couple of days in the refrigerator, so consider doubling the recipe to keep some on hand.

View Recipe: Heirloom Tomato and Avocado Stack

Photo: Lee Harrelson

Falafel with Avocado Spread

"These are outstanding! My husband is a big meat eater and when I make these there is no complaining where is the beef! They reheat well for a great lunch the next day!" —SAMJ142

The beauty of this Latin twist on the classic Middle Eastern sandwich is its simplicity, and of course, flavor. Garnish with microgreens and sliced red onion.

View Recipe: Falafel with Avocado Spread

Avocado-Tomatillo Dip with Cumin Pita Chips

Tart tomatillos keep this dip a bright green and prevent the avocado from discoloring, even after a day or two in the refrigerator. Look for tomatillos in the produce section of most large supermarkets.

View Recipe: Avocado-Tomatillo Dip with Cumin Pita Chips

Photo: John Autry

Avocado-Buttermilk Soup with Crab Salad

Simple orange-infused crabmeat floats atop a rich, creamy soup. If the soup seems a little too thick, add 1 to 2 tablespoons more buttermilk.

View Recipe: Avocado-Buttermilk Soup with Crab Salad

Photo: John Autry

Strawberry-Avocado Salsa with Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

Make the chips in advance, cool completely, and store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

View Recipe: Strawberry-Avocado Salsa with Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

Photo: John Autry

Spicy Tortilla Soup with Shrimp and Avocado

Chipotle chile and fire-roasted tomatoes lend smokiness to the soup.

View Recipe: Spicy Tortilla Soup with Shrimp and Avocado

Photo: John Autry

Easy Guacamole

The food processor makes quick work of this basic dip that's rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. We like the heat from leaving the seeds in the jalapeño, but you can seed the pepper for a milder guac. Serve with tortilla chips or crudités.

View Recipe: Easy Guacamole

Photo: Anna Williams

Chilled Avocado Soup with Seared Chipotle Shrimp

A delicious combination of tastes and textures, this first course soup combines smoky chile heat, crisp sweet corn, and silky-rich avocado.

View Recipe: Chilled Avocado Soup with Seared Chipotle Shrimp