This vibrant quinoa salad is my go-to recipe for a healthy and flavourful lunch or side dish. It’s incredibly easy to make, requires minimal cooking time, and is packed with fresh, delicious ingredients. Seriously, it's so good, I often make a double batch!
The creamy avocado dressing is the real star of the show, adding a rich and satisfying element to the light and refreshing quinoa base. It’s incredibly simple to make, requiring only a few basic ingredients that you likely already have on hand. Trust me, you'll be hooked!
Required Equipments
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Fork
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Potato masher or fork (optional)
- Serving bowl
Quinoa Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing: Frequently Asked Questions
Quinoa Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing
This quinoa salad is a delicious and healthy meal option. The creamy avocado dressing perfectly complements the fluffy quinoa and fresh vegetables.
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield: 4 servings
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
- First, let's get cooking that quinoa! Rinse 1 cup of quinoa under cold water until the water runs clear. This step removes saponins, which can give quinoa a slightly bitter taste. Trust me on this one. I learned the hard way!
- Next, combine the rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water or vegetable broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy. Fluff with a fork when it's done. Don't overcook it or it'll get mushy, which is a tragedy.
- While the quinoa simmers, chop your veggies. For this recipe, I suggest one cucumber, diced, one red bell pepper, diced, and half a red onion, thinly sliced. Feel free to add more or swap them out; it's your salad!
- Now for the creamy star of the show – the avocado dressing! In a small bowl, mash one ripe avocado with a fork until smooth. Add 1/4 cup lime juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon water, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Whisk until everything is well combined and you have a smooth, dreamy dressing. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed – this is where you get to be a culinary artist!
- Once the quinoa has cooled slightly, gently stir in your chopped cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion. I like to use a big spoon for this. It's important to be gentle; we don't want to squash the veggies.
- Now, carefully fold in your yummy avocado dressing. You’ll want to incorporate it evenly into the salad, but don’t overmix – a few gentle folds are all it needs.
- Taste and season the salad further if needed. Maybe a little extra lime juice or a sprinkle of salt would do the trick. This is your chance to make it your own!
- Finally, garnish your quinoa salad with fresh herbs. I adore cilantro, but parsley or dill would also work beautifully. You could add some toasted nuts for crunch, too. Maybe some sunflower seeds or slivered almonds? Get creative!
- Serve immediately or chill for later. Enjoy your delicious, healthy, and utterly satisfying quinoa salad!
📝 Notes
- Feel free to add other vegetables, such as cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, or chopped green beans.
- If you prefer a thicker dressing, use less water or add a tablespoon of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt.
- For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of cumin or chili powder to the dressing.
- This salad is even better the next day after the flavors have had a chance to meld together! Make a big batch!
🍎 Nutrition
Calories: 450 kcal
Protein: 12g
Fat: 25g
Carbohydrates: 75g
Fiber: 8g
Calcium: 20mg
