Avocado and Quinoa Summer Salad with Citrus Dressing
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
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 4: Pour the citrus dressing over the quinoa salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring avocado remains intact.
- 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.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Avocado and Quinoa Summer Salad with Citrus Dressing take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Avocado and Quinoa Summer Salad with Citrus Dressing?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Avocado and Quinoa Summer Salad with Citrus Dressing?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Avocado and Quinoa Summer Salad with Citrus Dressing for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Avocado and Quinoa Summer Salad with Citrus Dressing?
Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
