Citrus-Infused Quinoa Salad with Avocado and Toasted Almonds

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

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 water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

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.

Related recipes