Zucchini Ribbon Salad with Avocado is a fresh, light, and flavorful salad that's perfect for warm weather meals. Thin ribbons of zucchini are tossed with juicy tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, creamy avocado, and a simple citrus olive oil dressing for an easy salad that feels both refreshing and satisfying.

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This raw zucchini salad comes together in just minutes and works great as a light lunch, healthy side dish, or easy addition to BBQs, potlucks, and weeknight dinners. The zucchini stays crisp and refreshing, while the avocado adds creaminess and the lemon-lime dressing brings everything together.
If you're looking for an easy zucchini salad recipe that doesn't require cooking, this zucchini ribbon salad is a great one to keep on repeat during zucchini season.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Fresh and refreshing for summer
- No cooking required
- Naturally gluten-free and low carb
- Easy to customize with different herbs and toppings
- Great way to use fresh zucchini
How to Make Zucchini Ribbon Salad
First, gather your ingredients:
- 2 roma tomatoes
- ¼ cup of cilantro
- ¼ sliced red onions
- 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
- 2 tablespoon lemon or lime (or both!) juice
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- Sea salt & pepper, as desired
Start by trimming off the ends of the zucchini. Then use a vegetable peeler to shave the zucchini lengthwise into long, thin ribbons.

Add the zucchini ribbons to a large mixing bowl.

Dice the roma tomatoes, chop the cilantro, and thinly slice the red onion. Add everything to the bowl with the zucchini.




In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice and/or lime juice, salt, and pepper.

Pour the dressing over the zucchini salad and gently toss everything together until combined.

Top with sliced avocado right before serving.

Serve fresh and enjoy!

Storage
This zucchini ribbon salad is best enjoyed fresh, since the zucchini and avocado can soften as they sit. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
If making ahead, wait to add the avocado until right before serving for the best texture and freshness.
FAQ
Do you eat zucchini raw in zucchini ribbon salad?
Yes! Raw zucchini works great in salads because it has a mild flavor and crisp texture. Thin zucchini ribbons are light, refreshing, and perfect for no-cook summer dishes.
How do you make zucchini ribbons?
The easiest way is to use a vegetable peeler or mandoline slicer to shave the zucchini lengthwise into long thin strips.
Can I make zucchini ribbon salad ahead of time?
You can prep the ingredients ahead of time, but this salad is best tossed together shortly before serving. The zucchini releases moisture as it sits, and the avocado is freshest when added right before eating.
What can I add to zucchini ribbon salad?
This salad is easy to customize! Try adding grilled shrimp, chicken, feta cheese, toasted nuts, cherry tomatoes, or extra herbs for more flavor and texture.
Is zucchini ribbon salad healthy?
Yes! Zucchini ribbon salad is packed with fresh vegetables, healthy fats from avocado and olive oil, and is naturally gluten-free and low carb.


Zucchini Ribbon Salad with Avocado
This Zucchini Ribbon Salad with Avocado is a fresh, light, and refreshing salad made with crisp zucchini ribbons, juicy tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, creamy avocado, and a simple citrus olive oil dressing. It’s an easy no-cook salad that’s perfect for summer meals, BBQs, potlucks, or a quick healthy lunch.
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini
- 2 roma tomatoes, diced
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, lime juice, or both
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Trim the ends off the zucchini. Use a vegetable peeler or mandoline slicer to shave the zucchini lengthwise into long thin ribbons.
- Add the zucchini ribbons to a large mixing bowl.
- Dice the tomatoes, chop the cilantro, and thinly slice the red onion. Add everything to the bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, citrus juice, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until evenly coated.
- Top with sliced avocado before serving.
- Serve fresh and enjoy!
Notes
- Use cherry tomatoes instead of roma tomatoes if preferred.
- A mandoline slicer works great for extra thin zucchini ribbons.
- Add grilled shrimp or chicken to make it a more filling meal.
- Best served fresh shortly after tossing with the dressing.
- Add avocado right before serving for the freshest texture.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 188Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 18mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 5gSugar: 4gProtein: 3g
The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information. Keep in mind that if there is a marinade, often times not all the ingredients will be consumed.
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Marie Marceno says
What does Paleo mean ?
Sarah says
This looks fantastic! I'm excited to try it. I am new to a lot of recipes as I am on a journey to a healthier lifestyle. My fitness pal app is amazing btw. Can I make this salad in advance?
Nancy says
Made this tonight...absolutely wonderful! Shared the recipe with several friends. I'll be "following you" on Facebook. Yum!
Tina T. says
Awesome! I'm glad you liked it! 🙂 Thanks for leaving a comment!
Nancy says
I am trying to find nutritional info for this...do you happen to know that? I'm doing a low carb diet and I'm fairly confident that this falls into that category, but I guess I've a visual person and need to see things in black and white. lol - I can't wait to make it again after I polish off the leftovers for my lunch 🙂
Tina T. says
Ok, just looked it up with you (using myfitnesspal.com) if I enter each of the ingredients in it looks like the total carb is 44, and 12 of that is just the avocado so if you cut the avocado out it will only be 32. And that's the whole dish, if you served 2 people, it would be 22 (or 16 without the avocado) hope that helps!
Nancy says
Oh my! Thanks! I could've done that...and probably should have done that...but you were kind enough to do it for me. Thank you so much! I'm really thinking that this Paleo-thing looks like a good (smart, healthy) lifestyle. I'm enjoying your blog, Pinterest, etc.
Thanks so much!
Tina T. says
Aw thanks so much! I love eating paleo, I also feel a lot healthier one it! Thanks for following my pinterest!
cathy says
How much olive oil?
Tina T. says
Hey there! I used 3 tbsp of olive oil. I updated the post - totally left that one out, nice catch!