Avocado and Quinoa Summer Salad with Citrus Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-23 · Updated 2026-05-23

A refreshing, nutrient-packed salad combining fluffy quinoa, creamy avocado, and a bright citrus dressing perfect for a light summer meal. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, ripe avocado into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup, rinsed quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 large, diced ripe avocado
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium, diced cucumber
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until quinoa is fluffy and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, 1 large diced ripe avocado, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 medium diced cucumber, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup orange juice, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until emulsified.
4. Step 4: Pour the citrus dressing over the quinoa salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring avocado remains intact.
5. Step 5: Chill the salad for 20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and serve cold as a light summer meal or side dish.