This avocado salsa is the best summer appetizer! It’s fresh and flavorful with chunks of avocado, tomatoes, red onions, bell peppers, and cilantro then tossed with vibrant lime.
We love this chip dip recipe that is a cross between pico do gallo, guacamole, and restaurant-style salsa, it’s perfect for scooping!
Fresh Avocado Salsa
Avocado salsa is so easy to make with creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, crunchy sweet red bell peppers, and crisp onions tossed in a bright lime juice and seasoned with salt and cumin. It’s a chunky, fresh and delicious spin on cowboy caviar!
I whip up this chunky salsa recipe for summer BBQs, especially when grilled salmon is on the menu. It’s a staple party or game-day appetizer served with tortilla chips and one of many healthy snacks I like to keep on hand, especially when it’s hot outside.
Avocado Salsa Recipe Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Avocados: You want a ripe avocado that is still a little firm so it holds its shape.
- Roma tomatoes: This type of tomato is not as juicy as other types, which means there’s less liquid that’s bound to pool at the bottom.
- Red bell pepper: I use red because it adds the necessary sweetness to the savory flavors, but you can use orange or yellow if you prefer. Green would be too bitter in my opinion.
- Chopped red onion: You can substitute with shallots too, both are mild and are great in raw dips.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro leaves add a herbaceous flavor very popular in Mexican-inspired recipes.
- Fresh limes, juiced: Highly recommend using juice from fresh limes instead of from a bottle.
- Salt & ground cumin: A bit of seasoning for the best flavor. Cumin is a warm earthy element that grounds and balances acidity.
Substitutions and Variations
- Make it spicy. Add chopped jalapeño and a pinch of chili powder or try red pepper flakes, serrano chile pepper, or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Tropical flare. Add mango to the recipe, very similar to mango salsa.
- For added protein. Add black beans for black bean salsa or cooked shrimp for a ceviche.
- Blend it! Add ingredients to a blender or food processor and purée into a green sauce. Use tomatillos to keep the color green like my salsa verde.
How to Make Avocado Salsa
- Cut the avocado. Diced into evenly sized pieces.
- Add avocado. Place chunks in a large mixing bowl.
- Add remaining ingredients. Then, toss in the chopped tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, and cilantro. Squeeze the fresh lime juice and sprinkle salt and a pinch of cumin over top.
- Stir gently until combined. Taste and drizzle more lime juice or sprinkle extra salt, if necessary.
Tips for the Best Salsa with Avocados
- To prevent too much liquid remove the seeds when chopping the tomatoes. Scoop out the inner portion and use the chopped outer flesh.
- Avoid making this dish ahead when serving guests. The avocados will be brown by the time you serve the dip. If necessary to save time, prep everything in advance, but add the avocados just before serving.
- Similar sizes. When dicing the avocado and tomato, it’s a good idea to keep everything similar in size. It’s easier to get a bit of everything in each scoop that way!
Serving Suggestions
Use avocado salsa with all your Mexican recipes! Top skillet nachos or sheet pan nachos and use as condiment when setting up a nacho bar or serving taco salad.
Have it in your burritos, including breakfast burritos, on top of burrito bowls or tortilla soup, in beef taquitos, or even over a grilled flank steak.
How to Store Avocado Salsa?
Avocado salsa is best enjoyed the day it’s made because avocado can turn brown quite quickly.
If you’re not serving it to guests and are just wanting to store it to eat again the next day, by all means. Cover the bowl in plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge.
Want more easy no-bake dip recipes? Don’t miss my nacho cheese dip and this 7 layer dip recipe. For something sweet try, fruit salsa!
More Salsa Recipes To Try
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Avocado Salsa
Video
Ingredients
- 3 avocados , seeded and diced
- 2-3 roma tomatoes . diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 red bell pepper , chopped
- ¼ cup chopped red onion
- ½ cup cilantro , more to taste
- 2 fresh limes , juiced (use 1 1/2 if they're juicy)
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt , more to taste
- Pinch ground cumin
Instructions
- In a large bowl add the avocado, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, and cilantro. Squeeze the lime juice and sprinkle salt and a pinch of cumin over top.
- Stir gently until combined. Taste and add more lime juice or salt, if necessary.
Notes
- Add a jalapeño and pinch of chili powder for a little heat.
- Add mango or pineapple to make this a bit more tropical. Simply reduce the avocado to 3 and swap in 1 cup fruit.
- Add a can of black beans or cooked and diced shrimp to make this a bit heartier.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe FAQs
For texture reasons, I wouldn’t recommend it, however, you can. They are very liquidy so if you do use them, drain them very well first. They also won’t have the same ripe flavor, but in a pinch, they can be used.
Throw in some corn kernels. Even better if grilled first! Additional peppers could also be added but you may need to increase the lime juice and spices to balance the flavors.
I love this so much! I eat this eggs, chicken in a salad- you name it!! Great recipe!
I love avocado, so the chunkier the better!! I could snack on this all day, everyday!!
I love avocados so much, so this was perfect for me.
Okay this was so good I could literally eat it with a spoon. Definitely going to be a summer staple.
Yay! I am so glad to hear that! This avocado salsa is a MUST make for sure. Thanks for commenting.
This was so flavorful and the perfect salsa for my cantina style chips! loved it!
Oh! I love the cantina-style chips and this is perfect for that! Glad that you love it!
To say that this avocado salsa is my new favorite snack is an understatement! I’m obsessed! A fun spin on guacamole!