Emerald City Quinoa Salad
A vibrant quinoa salad with spinach, avocado, and a zesty lime dressing, inspired by the colors of the Land of Oz. This mediterranean-inspired sheet pan (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs quinoa, spinach, large avocado for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 quinoa
- 4 cups spinach
- 1 large avocado
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 lime
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook quinoa in 2 cups boiling water for 15 minutes, then drain and let cool. In a large bowl, add cooked quinoa, spinach, diced avocado, and halved cherry tomatoes.
- Step 2: Juice 1 lime and whisk with olive oil, cumin, and salt. Pour dressing over the salad and toss until well combined.
- Step 3: Chill for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Emerald City Quinoa Salad take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Emerald City Quinoa Salad?
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 Emerald City Quinoa Salad?
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 Emerald City Quinoa Salad 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.
Is Emerald City Quinoa Salad vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better sheet pan dishes though.
