Avocados are a yummy fruit that can be consumed in many ways. They are full of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, making them an excellent addition to your diet. Since people often look to add healthy foods to their meal planning. If you want ideas for how to eat avocados, this guide will provide many avocado side dish recipes.
In this article, we will talk about the ways to consume an avocado and consider a few healthy side dish recipes.
Why Eat Avocados?
There are various reasons for adding avocados to your meal. They are nutrition-dense with several vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats to keep you healthy. You can find out about their nutritional value by checking Avocado: Nutritional Value.
Moreover, these are rich in fiber and antioxidants, making them an excellent food to keep you healthy and full for longer.
If you want to know more about the health benefits of avocado, you can check the Surprising Health Benefits of Avocado. To know about avocado benefits for certain diseases, check Avocado benefits for Diseases.
How to Choose the Perfect Avocado
If you are looking for a perfect avocado to add to your recipes, you need to know if an avocado is perfectly ripe or not. And here’s how you tell if an avocado is ready to be eaten:
- Color: A ripe avocado is usually dark green or black, but many varieties remain green even when fully ripe so color alone may not be the best indicator.
- Firmness: Lightly squeeze the avocado. It has ripened if it yields a little to pressure. If it’s too firm, it’s not ripe. It can be too soft, which could mean that it has gone bad.
If your avocado is not yet soft, you should leave it in an open setting for two or three days so that it can soften. After it has reached the state of ripeness, you put it inside the fridge.
How to Prepare an Avocado
You need to follow these steps to prepare an avocado for eating.
- Take a sharp knife and slice the avocado lengthwise around the pit.
- Hold both halves and twist them apart.
- Use a spoon to carefully scoop out the pit or gently tap it with a knife and twist it out.
- Using the spoon scoop out the flesh from the skin of the avocado.
- Eat that scooped out the flesh or use it in recipes.
Avocado Recipes
Now you know how to prepare an avocado, here are some fun side dish recipes to eat!
1. Eating Raw Avocado
Avocado can be taken raw. All you have to do is cut the avocado in half, take out the pit, and then scoop out the flesh with a spoon. Eat raw, lightly seasoned with salt and pepper, olive oil, lemon juice, etc.
Add to salads: Avocados are fantastic additions to salads. They add a silky texture to these greenery, vegetables, and other ingredients such as nuts, cheese, fruits, etc.
Recipe: Avocado Salad
Ingredients
- 1 Ripe Avocado, sliced
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 1/2 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- Drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar
Procedure
Mix all the ingredients for a fast, healthy salad.
2. Spread It on Toast
Avocado toast has become so very popular lately for a good reason. It’s simple, scrumptious, and healthy. To make it, you will just need:
- Toast: You can use your favorite bread, whether whole grain or sourdough. Just toast it as you would.
- Avocado: Now mash up the avocado with a fork and spread it on the toast.
- More: You can top it with eggs, tomatoes, radishes, or even chia seeds with hot sauce for an extra kick.
Recipe: Avocado Toast with a Poached Egg
Ingredients
- 1 slice whole grain bread, toasted
- 1/2 ripe avocado, mashed
- 1 poached egg
- Salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste
Procedure
Place the mashed avocado on top of the toast, place the poached egg on top, and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
3. Avocado Guacamole
Avocado Guacamole is one of the most common dips made of pureed avocados. Serve this with tortilla chips as a sandwich spread or add it to tacos and burritos.
Ingredients
To make guacamole, you’ll need:
- 2 ripe avocados. Mash
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 small tomato, diced
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Procedure
Mix all these and enjoy your quick and easy guacamole for any occasion.
4. Blend It with Smoothies
Avocados are amazing in smoothies as they give a rich creamy texture without overpowering flavor. They also contribute healthy fats and fiber so that you feel full for a longer time. To blend with, try:
- Banana and spinach: For a green smoothie Berries
- Cocoa powder and almond milk: For a chocolatey dessert smoothie.
- Greek yogurt: For a fruity treat
Recipe Idea: Avocado Banana Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1/2 ripe avocado
- 1 banana
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 tablespoon honey
Recipe
Combine all ingredients into a smooth creamy nutrient-dense smoothie.
5. Use It in Sandwiches or Wraps
Avocado slices make great additions to sandwiches and wraps, adding creaminess and flavor. Whether you’re making a turkey sandwich, BLT, or veggie wrap, add avocado for great flavor and added nutrition.
Recipe Idea: Turkey and Avocado Wrap
Ingredients
- 1 whole wheat tortilla
- 2 slices of turkey breast
- 1/2 ripe avocado, sliced
- 1/4 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cheese slice
- Mustard or mayonnaise (optional)
Recipe
Layer the ingredients onto the tortilla, roll up, and enjoy a quick, nutritious meal.
6. Bakes with Avocados
You can bake with avocados by substituting for butter or oil in an almost uncountable number of recipes, so that it is even more of a healthy source for baked goods like muffins, brownies, and cakes, as they will add very few calories because of their creamy texture.
Recipe Idea: Avocado Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 ripe avocado, mashed
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Recipe
Mix and pour into baking dish; bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes. These are deep, fudgy brownies made with healthy fats.
7. Grill It
Try something different with avocados and grill them! Grilled avocados are great to be eaten on their own or stuffed with toppings such as salsa, quinoa, or shrimp.
Recipe: Grilled Avocado
- Cut the avocado in half, and remove the pit.
- Brush the flesh with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Arrange the avocado halves skin-side down on the grill for 2-3 minutes to get the grill marks.
- Remove from the grill and fill with desired toppings.
8. Pickled Avocado
Pickling avocados sounds weird, but it’s a game-changer for enhancing their flavor and a delicious avocado side dish recipe. Slice ripe avocados into thin pieces and marinate them in a tangy brine made from vinegar, water, salt, and a pinch of sugar. You can also add garlic, chili flakes, or cumin for a bit of spice. For optimal flavor, allow the avocado to be soaked in the brine for at least several hours or overnight. It comes out zesty, with a tangy character to this side dish that does exceptionally well in tacos, sandwiches, and salads. The pickled avocado can also become a topping over grilled meats or roasted vegetables, adding a refreshingly contrastive flavor to those smoked flavors.
9. Avocado Fries
If you are craving something crispy and delicious, then try making the perfect avocado side dish recipe with avocado fries! You would just slice those avocados into thick wedges, dip them in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, and bake or fry to achieve the perfect crunch. The outside is golden and crispy while inside soft and creamy. Serve these fries with a dipping sauce like sriracha mayo or a tangy yogurt-based dip for a satisfying snack or side dish. They’re a great alternative to regular fries and can easily be paired with burgers, sandwiches, or as an appetizer at your next gathering.
10. Avocado in Scrambled Eggs
Give your scrambled eggs a creamy upgrade by adding avocado. You scramble your eggs as usual and in the last minute of cooking, add some small chunks of ripe avocado. The warmth of the eggs will break down the avocado, leaving it creamy and silky-smooth in texture that perfectly complements the fluffiness of the scrambled eggs. The dish may also be dressed up with some sprinkled cheese, chives, or chili flakes to give it added flavor. This simple yet indulgent side dish is perfect for breakfast or brunch, or even as a light snack. For an extra twist, try adding some sautéed mushrooms or spinach for a complete dish.
11. Avocado Soups
Avocados make fantastic additions to both cold and warm soups. Avocados blended with cucumber, lime, and a splash of yogurt or buttermilk make for a refreshing summer treat in the form of a chilled, creamy soup that’s full of flavor. It’s light, cooling, and perfect for warm weather. You can even make a warm avocado soup by blending the fruit with chicken broth, herbs, and spices during colder months to create a rich, velvety texture. This aversion eliminates the need for using heavy cream, and avocado does give your soup an incredibly wholesome and satisfying feel to it. Add chili or garlic for a taste with heat; serve it with some fresh bread for a lovely, comforting avocado side dish.
12. Avocado Sushi Rolls
Avocados are a star in sushi ingredients because of their rich creaminess and mild taste. It really matches well with the crunch of cucumber, the freshness of fish, or the savory taste of cooked shrimp or crab. Prepare this side dish recipe by cutting a ripe avocado into thin slices and wrapping it in rice and nori seaweed sheets together with other fillings: cucumber, pickled radish, or any type of cooked seafood. Create original California rolls or even venture to creating rolls with different flavors. Serve with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi for a tasty and light side dish. If you don’t like raw fish, you can choose vegetarian rolls with avocado, carrots, and cucumber.
13. Avocado Bread
Try adding mashed avocado to your avocado side dish recipes to give your traditional bread recipe a twist. You can mix the avocado directly into the dough or even spread it on top of the bread before baking to create a golden, slightly crisped layer. This avocado bread is rich, moist, and full of healthy fats. You can also make quick avocado loaves by adding diced avocado to a savory bread batter with herbs and spices. Serve it as a side dish to soups, stews, or salads for a filling and nutrient-dense complement to your main dish. Avocado bread can also be toasted and served as a base for spreads or even topped with more avocado for a double dose of creaminess.
14. Avocado Pasta Sauces
For a creamy and healthy alternative to traditional pasta sauces, try making a simple avocado pasta sauce. Blend ripe avocados with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and your choice of herbs, such as basil or parsley. This creamy sauce will coat the pasta beautifully and give it a velvety texture without the heaviness of cream or cheese. Add some nutritional yeast or parmesan for extra flavor, or throw in some sautéed veggies like cherry tomatoes, spinach, or zucchini for a more filling side dish. Avocado pasta is ideal for a light lunch or dinner and can easily be paired with grilled chicken, shrimp, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Bottom Line
Avocados are so versatile and nutritional, that it’s easy to imagine a time when one could consume them in so many different ways. Whether one likes them smooth, toasted, as guacamole, or grilled, there is no end to how avocados can enter your diet.
Besides these recipes, there are several other ways to eat avocado. You can even prepare avocado juice. With their creamy texture and mild flavor, avocados smoothly add flavorful goodness to savory and sweet dishes, hence the staple item in every kitchen.
With these different methods, you’ll never come to a dead end when it comes to ideas on how to eat avocados! However, before consuming avocados, consider their side effects as well. With the appropriate way of consumption, you’ll be able to get the most out of this creamy fruit.
