I’m writing this on my laptop from a bar seat in Minneapolis on Friday evening. I’m afraid I’m cramping everyone’s Friday night work-is-done style with my laptop. I’m feeling awkward, so I’ll keep this quick. I’ve rounded up twenty-five of my favorite recipes featuring avocado, everyone’s favorite creamy green fruit. I actually hated avocado for a while when I was younger, but I think it’s because I had been served a brown, stringy, over-ripe avocado—blech! If you have any avocado haters in your life, please present them with the guacamole below and tell me if they still feel the same way about it. I dare you! Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats, which are the delicious good-for-you variety. Apparently, adding avocado to your meals can actually improve your absorption of carotenoids—yet another reason to love the sweet potato and avocado combo you’ll see a few times in the list below. We’re starting off with guacamole, of course! Then we’ll run through a variety of Mexican-inspired avocado recipes, as well as sandwiches and salads. Plus, avocado pesto toast (speaking of, you really must try the “everything” avocado toast in my cookbook), and more. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free or just an avocado lover, this roundup is for you! As always, you can peruse my entire library of avocado recipes here.
1) The Best Guacamole
“Best. Guac. Ever. And the onion trick worked perfect. Made it on Monday and finished on Thursday. It was uncovered daily and still did not turn brown. And now I have the half onion for my next batch. Thanks Kate! Oh, and my husband can’t do cilantro (the genetic soap thing) so I just omitted. Thankfully he doesn’t hate coriander.” – Heather
2) Avocado Pesto Toast
“I wish I could attach a photo of how beautiful this came out. This breakfast is delicious! It’s easy to make, and the different flavors are incredible. I may never make pesto other than like this again! Even my insanely picky husband (who has never eaten an over easy egg in his life) loved It!” – Meghan
3) Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tostadas
“These tostadas are AMAZING! I have made them many times now, and they are the most perfect and satisfying dinner. The flavors sing so harmoniously together. Thank you so much for this delicious recipe!” – Kiara
4) Kale, Black Bean & Avocado Burrito Bowl
“I’ve made this twice now and love it! The lime juice-marinated kale totally converted me to eating raw kale! This is a perfect recipe to make for weekday lunches in the office because it’s easy to pack and reheat and leftovers taste just as great. Thanks!” – Lauren
5) Sweet Corn & Black Bean Tacos
“Made this last night for dinner and…AMAZING! Everybody loved it, even the teenager who was like “ew radishes” and then took the corn salad leftovers for lunch today. Thanks, Kate!” – Rebecca
6) Vegan BLT Sandwich
“I had some coconut bacon in the freezer, so this was one of the times I had all the ingredients on hand to try the recipe. Not much to the recipe, but, oh my! Who woulda thunk it would be soooo good? My only regret was that I ate it too quickly and wished I could eat it again. Thanks Kate!” – Colleen
7) Coconut Rice with Brussels Sprouts
“This is one of my all-time favorite recipes! Super filling and absolutely delicious. Seriously need to add the Love and Lemons cookbook to my shelf… and yours, as well!” – Zoe
8) Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tacos with Avocado-Pepita Dip
“Fantastic recipe! It was fish Friday so no meat and too hot outside to dealwith the density and weight of meat. Husband, confirmed carnivore, looked at the black bean, avocado taco plate with deep suspicion… But both the kids (teens) and spouse absolutely loved them! Will make again.” – Angelique-Marie
9) Lemony Broccoli, Chickpea & Avocado Pita Sandwiches
“Thank you, Kate, this is fabulous! I was looking for some new taste and inspiration and your recipes never fail me. The dressing is fantastic and the dried tomato is a must. I will definitely make this again. Thanks again” – Sandra
10) Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls
“This recipe is… INCREDIBLE. My foodie boyfriend said…and I quote… ‘this is amazing. this is restaurant quality” The feta makes it, it’s filling, it’s colorful, it’s just wonderful. Do yourself a favor and make it… right. now.” – Carolyn
11) Tropical Mango Spring Rolls with Avocado-Cilantro Dipping Sauce
“I made these Spring rolls this weekend and they we fabulous. We don’t like too spicy so i left out the jalapenos and I substituted the Arugula with Baby Spinach. This was my first time using rice paper and it was so easy and I will definitely make again” – Monika
12) Kale Guacamole
“My husband and I love this guacamole! He’s not as big a fan of kale as I am, but he always loves this when I make it!” – Kathryn
13) Spiralized Sweet Potato & Black Bean Quesadillas
“Made this for my teenage brother who upon seeing the ingredients asked me if there was pizza in the fridge… And ended up eating the whole thing! Great recipe !” – Sophie
14) Southwestern Kale Power Salad with Sweet Potato, Quinoa & Avocado Sauce
“Made this last night and we LOVED it, even though I was out of black beans. Can’t wait to make it again with the beans! Definitely going into the rotation, that avocado sauce is dynamite!” – Eve
15) Huevos Rancheros with Avocado Salsa Verde
“Love this recipe, thank you! I’ve been making this for my wife for months now, and decided to try it with home made salsa verde. Even better!” – Chris
16) Roasted Butternut Squash Tacos
“These tacos are absolutely delicious and make great leftovers. My husband and I both agreed that they are probably the most tasty tacos I’ve ever made.” – Aubrey
17) Veggie Sushi Bowls
“This is such a lovely veggie filled meal. So fresh and delicious, and not to mention super healthy too! I love all the flavors together. This will become a weekly meal! Thanks for the recipe:)” – Kiara
18) Pinto Posole
“I am away from my family this holiday season and really homesick for Tex Mex and my family. I made this for myself for brunch to try to lift my spirits and even the smell of the chiles toasting made me feel at home. 10/10 delicious. Added cabbage and radish for toppings. Thanks Kate!” – Laura
19) Quinoa Black Bean Tacos with Creamy Avocado Sauce
“This was my first recipe I made after discovering your wonderful website. I made these last night (vegan version) and fed them to a die-hard meat and potatoes college kid, and they were a hit! Delicious recipe that I definitely will be making again!” – Becki
20) Heart of Romaine Salad with Pico de Gallo and Avocado Dressing
“Wow, just wow! I made this for supper tonight with salsa chicken burgers, and I am SO glad that I made enough pico, avocado dressing and black bean puree to have leftovers, because this ROCKED!I didn’t add any crumbled feta, and I don’t think it needed any, it was soooooo flavourful. Thank you SO MUCH for developing and sharing this!” – Denise
21) Crispy Mushroom, Spinach and Avocado Quesadillas
“We made these tonight – quick, fresh and fantastic! FIVE STARS!!” – Cathy
22) Vegetarian Tortilla Soup
“This was the MOST yummy and satisfying soup!! I’m making it again tonight. It will be a regular in my house from now on.” – Annemarie
23) Avocado, Egg and English Muffin Sandwich
“This was our very late Labor Day weekend Sunday brunch, with Swiss slices and minced jalepeño (and bacon on the side). So good, and eye-opening, too: here I thought I knew all the egg sandwich tricks. Not so!” – Cara
24) Sweet Potato Burrito Smothered in Avocado Salsa Verde
“Absolutely fantastic, made I for the 10th time tonight, one of our go to meals now… thank you very much!” – Sandee
25) Simple Greek Avocado Sandwich
“I tried this tonight partly because I wanted to use the fresh bread I had and I also had fresh pesto and an avocado on hand. It turned out very well. Also it opened my eyes to all the vegetables one can use for sandwiches.” – Sally More resources you might appreciate: 23 healthy make-ahead breakfast recipes, 45 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners. You might also like my monthly seasonal produce guides and healthy kitchen essentials. View all roundups and resource posts here.
