Citrus-Infused Quinoa Salad with Avocado and Toasted Almonds
A vibrant and refreshing quinoa salad tossed with creamy avocado, crunchy toasted almonds, and a zesty citrus dressing. This mediterranean-inspired vegan ready in about 25 minutes pairs rinsed quinoa, water, large, diced avocado for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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
- 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
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 water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, 1 large diced avocado, 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
- Step 4: Pour the citrus dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss gently to combine. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Infused Quinoa Salad with Avocado and Toasted Almonds 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 Citrus-Infused Quinoa Salad with Avocado and Toasted Almonds?
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 rinsed quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Infused Quinoa Salad with Avocado and Toasted Almonds?
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 Citrus-Infused Quinoa Salad with Avocado and Toasted Almonds 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 Citrus-Infused Quinoa Salad with Avocado and Toasted Almonds?
Mediterranean vegan 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.
