Citrus Avocado and Quinoa Salad with Toasted Almonds

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

Refreshing quinoa salad tossed with creamy avocado, bright citrus segments, and crunchy toasted almonds for texture contrast. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian, gluten free), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, 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 320 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 avocado
• 1 cup, peeled and chopped orange segments
• 2 tbsp, fresh lemon juice
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley

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, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa with 1 large diced avocado and 1 cup chopped orange segments.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss gently to combine without mashing the avocado.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley on top before serving for crunch and freshness.