Cold Citrus and Avocado Quinoa Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-06 · Updated 2026-08-06

A refreshing salad combining fluffy quinoa, creamy avocado, and bright citrus segments with a zesty dressing. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, grapefruit 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, peeled and segmented grapefruit
• 1 large, peeled and segmented orange
• 1 medium, diced avocado
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp, freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp 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, combine 1 cup rinsed quinoa and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until quinoa is tender and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork, then let cool completely.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 large peeled and segmented grapefruit, 1 large peeled and segmented orange, 1 diced medium avocado, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
4. Step 4: Add the cooled quinoa to the citrus and avocado mixture, pour dressing over the top, and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
5. Step 5: Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.