Skip to content

The starter, Light and fresh

Avocado and lime tartare

Avocado and lime tartare is a fresh starter for 6 people, made with avocado, lime, and cilantro, served in a ring with tortilla chips. It takes 25 minutes of hands on work, comes together right before guests arrive, and costs about €2.20 per person. The key to success is seasoning it at the last minute so the avocado stays green.

An avocado and lime tartare with cilantro, served in a ring with tortilla chips, looks great and takes twenty minutes.

Avocado and lime tartare
For
6 people
Work
25 min
Total time
25 min
Prep
Finished at the last minute
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.20
Calories per person
290 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Ripe avocado brings the creamy base, lime juice adds a bright acidity that wakes everything up, and cilantro gives the tartare its fresh character. Cut into small, even cubes, it keeps a bit of bite and works just as well scooped with a chip as eaten with a spoon. It's a starter that sets a light, colorful tone right from the first bite.

This is the starter you make for a summer dinner party, when you want to open the meal without filling anyone up before the main course. It pairs well with grilled fish or grilled meat as a main, and also works as a finger food appetizer served in small glasses. Kids generally like it, especially with chips to stick in and eat by hand.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day Nothing to do
  3. Before the guests arrive 3 steps
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

Everything happens right before your guests arrive, in under 25 minutes, since this tartare doesn't hold well overnight or sit around all day. Mix the dressing, dice the avocados, pack the mixture into rings, and keep it chilled and covered with plastic wrap until serving time. Just before sitting down to eat, remove the rings, add a drizzle of oil, some lime zest, and the chips.

The ingredients

6 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Ripe avocados 5
  • Limes 3
  • Cilantro 1 bunch
  • Red onion 1

Pantry

  • Tortilla chips 150 g
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Espelette pepperoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

The recipe, moment by moment

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Finely chop the red onion and cilantro, juice the limes, and mix everything with the olive oil, Espelette pepper, salt, and pepper.

    If you don't like cilantro, swap it for chives, the tartare stays just as fresh.

  2. Cut the avocados into small, even cubes and gently fold them into the dressing.

    Do this within the hour before dinner, avocado oxidizes fast, and lime juice only slows it down, it doesn't stop it.

  3. Pack the tartare into rings set on the plates, cover with plastic wrap, and keep chilled.

    Press the plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the avocado, with no air, it stays green.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Remove the rings, add a drizzle of oil and a bit of lime zest, then arrange the chips around it.

    Stick a chip upright into the tartare, it looks great and makes an easy handheld bite.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick avocados that give slightly under gentle pressure without feeling mushy, so the cubes hold their shape instead of turning to mush.
  • Squeeze the limes at the last minute, the juice loses its punch if it sits in a bowl too long.
  • If you don't have ring molds, use small bowls turned upside down for plating, or just serve the tartare mixed together in a nice serving bowl.

The variations

  • Swap the cilantro for fresh mint for a milder version that completely changes the flavor of the tartare.
  • Add diced tomato and mango for a sweeter, more colorful version that works well in summer.
  • For kids, cut back on or skip the chili powder and serve with vegetable sticks alongside the chips.

What to serve it with

  • Grilled white fish as a main
  • Glass of dry white wine
  • Sparkling water with lime

Storage

This tartare is best eaten the same day, ideally within an hour of making it, since avocado browns quickly even with lime juice added. It doesn't freeze. If you have leftovers, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface and refrigerate for only a few hours.

Questions about this recipe

Can you make avocado tartare ahead of time?

Not several hours ahead, since avocado browns quickly. You can mix the dressing in advance if you like, but cut and combine the avocado right before your guests arrive.

How do you keep the avocado from turning brown?

Lime juice slows down oxidation but doesn't fully stop it. Keep an avocado pit in the bowl and press plastic wrap directly onto the surface, leaving no air pockets.

Can you swap out the tortilla chips?

Yes, toasted tortilla triangles work great, and so do blinis or toasted bread if you want a more classic version.

How do you plate the tartare so it looks nice?

Use ring molds for a clean, neat shape on the plate, and stick a chip upright into the tartare right before serving for a polished look.

Can an avocado and lime tartare be made ahead?

Partly, the finish happens at the last moment. The recipe needs 25 min of work in total, split up like this, before the guests arrive, 3 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make an avocado and lime tartare?

Allow 25 min in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 25 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".

How many calories are in an avocado and lime tartare?

About 290 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does an avocado and lime tartare cost?

About €2.20 per person, that's €13.20 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe doesn't contain any of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. It's still a good idea to ask your guests about their allergies.

To round out your menu

Build a menu

Starters for entertaining

See all
Pork gyoza The starter

From around the world

Pork gyoza

  • 55 min of work
  • Prepared the same day
  • Medium, €2.10 per person

290 kcalcalculated by Kiloach