This Quinoa and Avocado Salad Recipe is delicious as a side dish or as the main course.
I've decided to start thining the pantry over the next month to ensure we use the food that is in there rather than risk missing the use-by date. When I was digging around the pantry looking for inspiration, I found a couple of boxes of quinoa. I don't know why I hadn't used it. We all love the nutty flavor and it cooks in the same time it takes to cook pasta.
I made use of the avocados and tomatoes that I picked up on sale, some pantry staples (beans and olives), and lime juice and zest that I froze when limes were on sale.
Quinoa and Avocado Salad Recipe
Prep-Ahead Tip: You can make the quinoa a day or two ahead of time. You can also make the dressing ahead of time.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups quinoa
3 cups water
2 avocados, diced
1 3/4 cups cooked beans (or 15 oz. can – I used white beans)
1 pint of grape tomatoes
1/2 cup olives, thinly sliced
1/2 cup onion, diced
Dressing Ingredients:
juice and zest of two limes
1/4 cup oil
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro ( or 1 tablespoon dried)
Directions:
- Add quinoa and water to a large pot. Cook over a medium-high flame until it reaches a boil. Lower flame, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Place quinoa in the refrigerator to cool.
- Once the quinoa had cooled, add avocados, tomatoes, olives, and onions.
- Mix the dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the quinoa and veggies. Toss to coat.
- Serve immediately or place in the refrigerator to keep cool until you do serve it.
Printable Recipe for Quinoa and Avocado Salad
- 1½ cups quinoa (I used red quinoa)
- 3 cups water
- 2 avocados, diced
- 1¾ cups cooked beans (or 15 oz. can - I used white beans)
- 1 pint grape tomatoes
- ½ cup olives, thinly sliced
- ½ cup onion, diced
- juice and zest of two limes
- ¼ cup oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro ( or 1 tablespoon dried)
- Add quinoa and water to a large pot. Cook over a medium-high flame until it reaches a boil. Lower flame, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Place quinoa in the refrigerator to cool.
- Once the quinoa had cooled, add avocados, tomatoes, olives, and onions.
- Mix the dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the quinoa and veggies. Toss to coat.
- Serve immediately or place in the refrigerator to keep cool until you do serve it.
I serve this over a bed of greens.
Beth @ Aunt B's Kitchen says
April 16, 2012 at 8:41 pmThat’s a healthy meal that’ll keep you going. Everything you need in a meal on one plate. Good for you!
Swathi says
April 16, 2012 at 9:52 pmAlea,
Yes moving is difficult, once you started packing only realize how many unwanted things you accumulated. By the way this quinoa salad looks delicious.
Jenn says
April 17, 2012 at 12:35 amThis sounds awesome. Anything with avocado and I’m in!
Wendy says
April 17, 2012 at 11:58 amThis looks so good! I am forever wasting lemons and limes and would have never thought to freeze the zest AND juice. Thanks for sharing the great tip…I’m going to be trying this one.
Wonderwoman says
April 18, 2012 at 10:25 amHey – what a great and simple recipe! Thanks!
April @ The 21st Century Housewife says
April 18, 2012 at 1:29 pmYour quinoa and avocado salad sounds delicious and refreshing. I like the zesty flavours in the dressing too.
Judee@gluten free A-Z Blog says
June 7, 2017 at 7:38 pmavocado, tomato, and onion are a winning combination in anty salads. Your quinoa salad looks delicious. Your lime tip reminded me that I have 3 limes in the freezer that I forgot about.
Erlene says
June 10, 2017 at 3:07 pmI haven’t made quinoa in a while and never added honey to it before. Also love your idea on freezing limes. We just had fish tacos and I have some leftover limes that I can freeze. Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday.
Donna @ Modern on Monticello says
June 12, 2017 at 6:50 pmLooks delicious and I’m pinning it to try later. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty