Gluten-Free Quinoa Salad with Roasted Sweet Potato and Avocado
A vibrant, nutrient-packed salad featuring nutty quinoa, caramelized sweet potatoes, creamy avocado, and a tangy lime dressing, perfect for a light lunch. This mediterranean-inspired gluten free (gluten free, vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs rinsed quinoa, water, divided olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, rinsed quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 large (about 12 oz), peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes sweet potato
- 3 tbsp, divided olive oil
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
- 1 large, diced avocado
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 1 large peeled and diced sweet potato (about 12 oz) with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway, until tender and caramelized.
- Step 2: While sweet potatoes roast, bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff quinoa with a fork; let cool slightly.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk 1 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to make the dressing.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, 1 large diced avocado, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Pour dressing over salad and gently toss to combine. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Gluten-Free Quinoa Salad with Roasted Sweet Potato and Avocado take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (10 min prep + 35 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 Quinoa Salad with Roasted Sweet Potato and Avocado?
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 Gluten-Free Quinoa Salad with Roasted Sweet Potato and Avocado?
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 Quinoa Salad with Roasted Sweet Potato and Avocado 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 Quinoa Salad with Roasted Sweet Potato and Avocado gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free, 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
- ★★★★★
Perfect for my gluten-free diet, the sweet potato and avocado made it so creamy.
- ★★★★☆
Great recipe, but the quinoa was a bit bland without the dressing. I added lemon and herbs to fix it.
- ★★★☆☆
The avocado turned brown by the time I served it, and the sweet potato was too crunchy.