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    Home » Salads » Papaya Salad with Avocado

    Papaya Salad with Avocado

    Oct 20, 2014 · by Valentina · 17 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Papaya Salad with Avocado is an amazing fusion of exotic, tropical fruits. With Prickly Pear Vinaigrette and Finger limes, it's every bit as delicious as it is beautiful.Papaya Salad with Avocado and Prickly Pear Vinaigrette in papaya halfon a white dish.

    This is definitely one of those dishes that might as well be a painting. Well, at least an edible one. 😉

    This papaya salad came together as much by color as it did by flavor -- and both are why it always draws a crowd.

    I started with the stunning Prickly Pear Vinaigrette (pictured below), and from there, my first requirement for each ingredient was that the color would look beautiful with it, and the second was that (of course) it was also good flavor fit.

    Prickly Pear Vinaigrette in a small jar

    Sometimes the color profile is equally as important as flavor and texture.

    The truth is, if it doesn't look good, we're not as interested in eating it. And as it turns out, really vibrant colors -- especially reds -- are actually appetite stimulants.

    Any time you can use one of your ingredients as a serving vessel, it's a great idea. It makes this papaya salad more exciting and appealing.

    Papaya Salad with Avocado in a papaya half with reddish dressing

    Can you make Papaya Salad ahead?

    Yes, for the most part.

    • The vinaigrette can be made well ahead, a week even.
    • You can prepare the papayas the night before, by slicing them in half, removing the seeds, and storing them wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator. (Here's How to Cut a Papaya.)
    • The lettuce can be prepped, wrapped and refrigerated the night before also.
    • Everything else, including cutting and adding the avocado, vinaigrette and finger limes should be done just before serving.

    Recipe Substitutions

    If you can't get your hands of Finger Limes or Prickly Pears, you can use one small lime (drizzling half of the juice on each half of the salad), and any dressing you like (preferably something fruity.)

    I hope you love Papaya Salad with Avocado as much as I do!

    More recipes with Papaya and Avocado:

    • Papaya Avocado Smoothie
    • Fresh Ahi Poke Stack with Papaya and Avocado
    papaya half used as a bowl for green salad on white plate

    Papaya Salad with Avocado.

    Valentina K. Wein
    Papaya Salad with Avocado is an amazing fusion of exotic, tropical fruits. With Prickly Pear Vinaigrette and Finger limes, it's every bit as delicious as it is beautiful.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Vinaigrette 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2
    Calories 269 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 large papaya (I used a Strawberry Papaya)
    • about 1 cup loosely packed butter lettuce, washed and dried, roughly chopped
    • ¼ to ½ medium-sized avocado (about ½ cup), cut into bite-sized pieces
    • about 2 tablespoons Prickly Pear Vinaigrette (click here for the recipe), divided
    • 1 large or 2 small Finger limes (click here for Finger lime information)

    Instructions
     

    • Slice the papaya in half, lengthwise. If it wobbles when the round side is down, slice a sliver off the bottom to create a flat surface.
    • Use a wooden spoon to remove all of the seeds, and create a clean hollow center. Place each one on a small serving plate and set aside.
    • In a small mixing bowl, gently toss the lettuce and avocado with about 1½ tablespoons of the vinaigrette. Add about half of this mixture to each papaya half.
    • Cut the finger lime in half, horizontally, and squeeze/press out the about half of the "citrus caviar" on top of each salad. (More about Finger limes is here.)
    • Drizzle about half of the remaining vinaigrette over any of the exposed papaya on each salad.
    • Serve chilled, with a fork and spoon (for the papaya).

    NOTES

    Calorie count is only an estimate.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 269kcal
    Keywords salad for party, main course salads, exotic fruit recipes
    Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Deb|EastofEdenCooking

      October 20, 2014 at 5:30 pm

      With so many fall baking treats filling the internet a great salad is enticing ! The Papaya Avocado Salad is so beautiful and bursting with flavor it is worthy of sharing at any of the seasonal holidays.

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 21, 2014 at 6:31 am

        Thanks, Deb. Yes we always have to throw in a salad or two with all of the rich of holiday menus. 😉

        Reply
    2. sippitysup

      October 21, 2014 at 6:43 am

      Good Morning. I noticed you were up early too (you left a comment on my site before 6:30am)! Put a salad into an edible bowl and I'm sure to smile. GREG

      Reply
    3. David

      October 26, 2014 at 9:13 am

      Wow - as you said, this is art on a plate! Gorgeous colors and flavors. xo

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 26, 2014 at 9:18 pm

        Thank you, David! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Mary Bostow

      September 21, 2018 at 11:31 pm

      What a great idea! Love this. I'm sure this is incredibly delicious! Wonderful combination of ingredients.

      Reply
      • valentina

        September 22, 2018 at 12:01 am

        Thanks so much, Mary! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Claudia Lamascolo

      September 22, 2018 at 5:07 am

      I have a papaya tree and have never eaten one you gave me a great reason to try it since I love everything else in this recipe

      Reply
      • valentina

        September 22, 2018 at 1:47 pm

        Lucky you to have a papaya tree! Got get one! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Joanna Stephens

      September 22, 2018 at 6:48 am

      This salad looks amazing! I love all the different colors of foods popping off the plate.

      Reply
      • valentina

        September 22, 2018 at 1:47 pm

        Thank you! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Jaclyn Anne

      September 22, 2018 at 8:39 am

      What a fresh and colorful salad - and that vinaigrette - yum! I can't wait to try it!

      Reply
      • valentina

        September 22, 2018 at 1:44 pm

        Hope you love it! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Shanika

      September 22, 2018 at 9:33 am

      Wow, this recipe is full of a lot of interesting flavor! Looks good!

      Reply
      • valentina

        September 22, 2018 at 1:43 pm

        Thanks Shanika! Hope you try it!

        Reply
    9. Chef Mimi

      May 01, 2021 at 6:39 am

      I love every thing about this! I’m going to order from Tropical Fruit Box just so I can make this fabulous salad and vinaigrette. And now I know I absolutely need to grow a finger lime tree! I only had them in Australia, and they’re so cool! Fabulous recipe!

      Reply
      • valentina

        May 04, 2021 at 5:02 pm

        Hi Mimi. I am in love with finger limes. They are so fabulous and it would be amazing to have a tree. I must find out what climate they will do well in. Thank you for your enthusiasm about this recipe. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

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