Mango Avocado Quinoa Salad
Bright, protein-rich salad with creamy avocado, sweet mango, and zesty lime-cilantro dressing. This mediterranean-inspired salads (high-protein, vegan) ready in about 35 minutes pairs quinoa, water, ripe mango 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 380 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 quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1.5 cups ripe mango
- 1 avocado
- 1/4 cup red onion
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
Instructions
- Step 1: In a saucepan, bring 1 cup quinoa and 2 cups water to a boil; reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 15 minutes until water is absorbed, then let cool 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Whisk 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, and salt in a bowl; set aside.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, 1.5 cups diced mango, 1 diced avocado, and 1/4 cup diced red onion; pour dressing over and toss gently until coated.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, then chill 30 minutes before serving for flavors to meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mango Avocado Quinoa Salad 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 Mango Avocado 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 Mango Avocado 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 Mango Avocado 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 Mango Avocado Quinoa Salad high-protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high-protein, vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.