Avocado and pickled onions are a culinary dream team, creating an explosion of flavors and textures that will transform your breakfast. Imagine a decadently rich and luxuriously smooth avocado smash, perfectly complemented by the bright, tangy, and subtly sweet crunch of quick pickled onions. This exquisite combination comes together in under fifteen minutes, culminating in a breakfast or brunch masterpiece that feels incredibly gourmet yet is surprisingly simple to prepare. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience that awakens your senses and sets a delightful tone for your day.

Jump to Recipe
Print Recipe

Gourmet Avocado Smash with Quick Pickled Onions and Poached Eggs

Welcome to the ultimate guide for crafting a truly exceptional avocado toast – one that goes beyond the ordinary to deliver a luxurious, flavorful, and visually stunning meal. While I often reserve this indulgent creation for a leisurely weekend breakfast or a special brunch, I confess it frequently makes an appearance throughout the week too! Its irresistible appeal lies in the perfect marriage of textures and tastes: a creamy, zesty avocado base, crunchy pickled onions, savory smoked salmon, and a perfectly runny poached egg.

The star of this dish, the avocado smash, is nothing short of decadently rich and luxuriously smooth. It achieves its vibrant flavor profile from a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice, which not only brightens the creamy avocado but also provides a crucial tangy contrast to the richness of the goats cheese. The acidity from the lime juice also plays a vital role in preventing the avocado from browning too quickly, ensuring your toast stays beautiful and appetizing. This foundation, layered with some tangy pickled onions, delicate smoked salmon, and crowned with a flawlessly poached egg, creates an unparalleled culinary experience.

The Perfect Avocado Smash: Secrets to Creamy Perfection

Creating an outstanding avocado smash is more than just mashing an avocado; it’s about balancing flavors and textures to achieve a truly memorable experience. For this recipe, we elevate the classic avocado smash with a few key additions that make all the difference. The fresh lime zest and juice are non-negotiable, not only adding a bright, citrusy zing but also playing a crucial role in preventing oxidation, keeping your avocado beautifully green. The goats cheese introduces a subtle tang and a wonderful creaminess that complements the avocado without overpowering it. A drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil binds everything together and adds a fruity, peppery note.

When selecting your avocado, look for one that yields slightly to gentle pressure but isn’t mushy. This indicates perfect ripeness. Avoid avocados that are too hard, as they won’t mash smoothly, or those that are overly soft, as they may have brown spots. For the mashing process, I prefer a fork over a blender. This method allows for a textured smash, leaving some delightful chunks of avocado rather than a completely smooth puree. A little texture adds to the overall eating experience, providing more interest with every bite.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with your smash! While this recipe offers a sublime combination, you could also consider adding a pinch of chili flakes for a subtle kick, some finely chopped fresh cilantro for an herbaceous lift, or even a tiny amount of minced garlic for a savory depth. The beauty of avocado smash lies in its versatility, making it a fantastic base for endless flavor explorations.

Quick Pickled Onions: A Vibrant Flavor Booster

If there’s one ingredient that truly elevates this avocado toast from delicious to extraordinary, it’s the quick pickled onions. These aren’t just a garnish; they’re a flavor powerhouse. Their vibrant pink hue instantly adds a pop of color to any dish, making them one of the most aesthetically pleasing items you can have waiting in your fridge. Beyond their visual appeal, their tart, tangy, and satisfyingly crunchy texture provides the perfect counterpoint to the creamy avocado smash. They cut through the richness beautifully, adding a refreshing burst of acidity and a subtle sweetness that brightens the entire meal.

The best part? They are incredibly simple to make and last for several weeks in your refrigerator, ready to be thrown on top of anything from tacos and salads to sandwiches and, of course, your gourmet avocado toast. The basic pickling brine is made from white vinegar, water, and sugar, seasoned with whole black peppercorns. While I prefer to keep mine simple to let the onion flavor shine, you can easily customize your brine with additions like a few cloves of garlic, sprigs of fresh dill, or even a bay leaf for extra aromatic complexity. The key is to slice the red onions as thinly as possible – this allows them to absorb the tangy brine quickly and become tender-crisp.

The transformation of a pungent red onion into a mild, tangy, and crunchy topping through quick pickling is nothing short of culinary magic. It’s a fundamental technique that any home cook can master, and once you have a jar of these beautiful pickled onions on hand, you’ll find yourself reaching for them constantly to add a vibrant touch to countless dishes.

How to Poach an Egg: The Secret to a Runny Yolk

No gourmet breakfast toast is complete without a perfectly poached egg, its vibrant yolk ready to spill out and coat every component of the dish. Achieving that ideal poached egg – firm on the outside, with a gloriously molten, perfectly orange yolk – is easier than you might think, provided you know a few simple tricks. Forget the myths about needing a vortex or a huge splash of vinegar; my biggest secret for poaching success is surprisingly straightforward.

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfectly Poached Eggs:

Prepare the Egg: Crack your egg into a fine mesh strainer. This crucial step removes all the loose, watery egg whites that would otherwise separate in the hot water, creating an unsightly, frothy mess in your pot and an unevenly cooked egg. Let it drain for about 30 seconds to a minute until only the firmer whites remain. Gently transfer the strained egg into a small ramekin or bowl, ready for cooking.
Prepare the Water: Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low, so the water is at a gentle simmer, with just a few small bubbles breaking the surface. Crucially, add 1 teaspoon of white vinegar to the simmering water. The vinegar helps the egg whites set faster, keeping them compact around the yolk.
Create the Whirlpool: Using a whisk or a spoon, gently stir the simmering water in a circular motion to create a soft whirlpool in the center of the pot. This gentle current helps to wrap the egg whites around the yolk as it cooks, resulting in a beautiful, neat shape.
Poach the Egg: Carefully slide the prepared egg from its ramekin into the center of the whirlpool. Cook for approximately 2 minutes for a perfectly runny yolk, or slightly longer if you prefer a firmer yolk. If poaching multiple eggs, gently push the first egg to the side with a slotted spoon and create a new, gentle whirlpool for the next egg, avoiding overcrowding the pot.
Remove and Drain: Once cooked to your liking, carefully remove the poached egg from the water using a slotted spoon. Place it onto a piece of absorbent paper (like a paper towel) for a few seconds to drain any excess water. This prevents your toast from becoming soggy.

Following these simple steps will ensure you achieve a consistently perfect poached egg every time, ready to become the crown jewel of your avocado toast.

Assembling Your Gourmet Avocado Toast

With all your components ready, it’s time to assemble your magnificent avocado toast. The foundation is crucial: opt for thick slices of good quality sourdough bread. Sourdough offers a fantastic chewiness and a slightly tangy flavor that stands up well to the rich toppings. Lightly drizzle each side with olive oil – using a brand like Rich Glen Extra Virgin Olive Oil, as highlighted in this recipe, makes a noticeable difference – then toast it slowly in a cast iron pan over very low heat for 10-15 minutes per side. This slow toasting method creates a wonderfully crisp exterior while keeping the interior tender, far superior to a quick pop in the toaster.

Once your sourdough is golden and crisp, the layering begins:

Start with a generous spread of your homemade avocado smash, ensuring an even layer that covers the toast.
Next, artfully arrange slices of high-quality smoked salmon over the avocado. The rich, savory notes of the salmon are an exquisite addition, adding depth and protein.
Follow this with a scattering of your vibrant quick pickled onions. Their tangy crunch will provide a refreshing burst and visual appeal.
Finally, delicately place your perfectly poached egg on top. The moment you cut into it, the warm, runny yolk will mingle with all the other ingredients, creating an incredible sauce.
Finish with a sprinkle of fresh dill, which adds a delicate, herbaceous freshness that perfectly complements the salmon and avocado.

This careful assembly ensures every bite is a symphony of flavors and textures: creamy, tangy, savory, crunchy, and utterly satisfying. It’s a dish that tastes as incredible as it looks, making it perfect for impressing guests or simply treating yourself to a truly special meal.

Explore More Avocado Creations

If you’re a true avocado enthusiast like me, you know its versatility extends far beyond basic toast. Here are some of my other favorite recipes that celebrate this amazing fruit:

Green Goddess Spread: A vibrant, herbaceous spread that’s fantastic on sandwiches, with crudités, or as a dip.
The Perfect Avocado Toast: A classic, perfected with essential tips for a flawless execution every time.
Whipped Avocado & Cream Cheese Spread: A light and airy spread, perfect for bagels or crackers, offering a creamy twist on avocado.

Customize Your Avocado Smash Toast

One of the best aspects of this recipe is its adaptability. Feel free to tailor it to your dietary preferences or what you have on hand:

Vegetarian/Vegan: For a vegetarian option, simply omit the smoked salmon. To make it entirely vegan, skip the goat cheese and poached egg, and opt for a plant-based cream cheese alternative or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast in your avocado smash. You can also experiment with plant-based “salmon” alternatives or smoked carrots for a similar flavor profile.
Gluten-Free: Easily make this dish gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free sourdough or other GF bread slices.
Spice It Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes in the avocado smash or sprinkled over the finished toast adds a welcome warmth and subtle heat.
Herb Variations: While dill is classic, fresh chives, parsley, or even a hint of mint could offer interesting flavor twists.
Cheese Alternatives: If goat cheese isn’t your preference, crumbled feta, a soft labneh, or even a sprinkle of sharp cheddar could work well, though the tang of goat cheese is truly special here.

Don’t be afraid to make this recipe your own – the core components are so versatile that it’s hard to go wrong!

If you create this incredible recipe, I would absolutely love to see your wonderful creations! Please tag me on Instagram, Tik Tok, or Pinterest. Your feedback and beautiful food photos make my day!

I always enjoy connecting with my readers. If you have any questions about this recipe, tips for ingredients, or simply want to share your thoughts, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment or review below. Your insights and feedback are invaluable and help me continue to share delicious recipes with you all.

This recipe was proudly sponsored by our friends at Rich Glen Olive Oil, whose exceptional quality extra virgin olive oil truly enhances the flavor of this dish.

Pin Recipe
Print Recipe

Avocado Smash with Quick Pickled Onions

By
Daen Lia

Avocado and pickled onions are a match made in heaven! This avocado smash is decadently rich and luxuriously smooth and the pickled onions are tangy and sweet. Both come together quickly and make the perfect gourmet breakfast or brunch meal!

Prep Time:
6 minutes

Cook Time:
5 minutes

Servings:
2

Ingredients

For the Avocado Smash

▢ 1 ripe avocado
▢ 1/2 lime, zest and juice
▢ 30 g goats cheese, crumbled
▢ 1 tbsp Rich Glen Extra Virgin Olive Oil
▢ flakey sea salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Quick Pickled Onions

▢ 2 red onions, finely sliced
▢ 1 cup white vinegar
▢ 1 cup water
▢ 2 tbsp sugar
▢ 1 tbsp black peppercorns

For the Toast & Toppings (for 2 Servings)

▢ 300 g smoked salmon
▢ 2 sourdough slices
▢ Rich Glen Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling
▢ fresh dill, for garnish
▢ 2 large eggs
▢ 1 tsp white vinegar

Instructions

Avocado Smash

Halve the avocado, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a medium-sized bowl. Add the lime zest and juice, crumbled goat cheese, Rich Glen Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and a pinch of flakey sea salt and black pepper. Mash everything together with a fork until the ingredients are well combined, leaving some delightful texture in your smash. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Quick Pickled Onions

With a sharp knife or mandoline, thinly slice the red onions and place them into a clean, sealable jar.
In a small pot, combine the white vinegar, water, sugar, and black peppercorns. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has fully dissolved. Once boiling, carefully pour the hot pickling brine over the sliced red onions in the jar, ensuring the onions are fully submerged. Close the lid and let sit at room temperature for a minimum of 15 minutes before using. Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to several weeks.

Toast & Poached Eggs

Drizzle each side of your sourdough slices with a generous amount of Rich Glen Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Place the oiled sourdough into a cold cast iron pan and cook over a very low heat for approximately 10-15 minutes per side, or until golden brown and perfectly crisp. This slow toasting method creates a superior texture.
While the toast is cooking, fill a medium pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low, so the water is at a very gentle simmer.
To prepare your eggs for poaching, crack each egg into a fine mesh strainer. Allow it to sit for about 30 seconds to remove the loose, watery egg whites. Transfer the strained egg gently into a small ramekin or bowl.
Add 1 teaspoon of white vinegar to the simmering water. Using a whisk or a spoon, gently stir the water in a circular motion to create a small whirlpool in the center of the pot. Carefully slide one prepared egg into the center of the whirlpool. Cook for 2-3 minutes for a runny yolk. If poaching multiple eggs, gently push the first egg to the side with a slotted spoon and create a fresh whirlpool for the next egg to drop into, avoiding overcrowding.
Once cooked to your desired firmness, use a slotted spoon to scoop out the poached egg and place it onto a piece of absorbent paper for a few seconds to drain any excess water.

Assembly

To assemble your gourmet toast, generously spread the avocado smash over each slice of toasted sourdough. Layer with slices of smoked salmon, followed by a hearty scattering of the quick pickled onions. Finish each toast with a perfectly poached egg and a sprinkle of fresh dill for garnish. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Video

Enjoy this recipe? Leave a comment below!