Gluten-Free Avocado and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Dressing

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant salad combining protein-rich quinoa, creamy avocado, and a zesty citrus dressing, perfect for a light and nourishing meal. This Latin American-inspired gluten-free recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, ripe 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 rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa thoroughly under cold water, then combine with 2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy; fluff with a fork and let cool.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 0.5 cup orange juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp honey, 0.5 tsp salt, and 0.25 tsp black pepper until well emulsified to create the citrus dressing.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, 1 diced medium avocado, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 diced medium cucumber, and 0.25 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
  4. Step 4: Pour the citrus dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly, allowing the flavors to imbibe into the vegetables and quinoa.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to enhance the melding of flavors.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Gluten-Free Avocado and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Dressing take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 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 Gluten-Free Avocado and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Dressing?

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 Gluten-Free Avocado and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Dressing?

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 Gluten-Free Avocado and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Dressing 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 Gluten-Free Avocado and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Dressing gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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