Strawberry Avocado Quinoa Salad (Print)

A colorful blend of strawberries, avocado, quinoa, and greens tossed in citrus dressing for a refreshing meal.

# Components:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa, uncooked
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Fruits & Vegetables

04 - 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
05 - 1 large avocado, diced
06 - 1 cup baby spinach or mixed greens
07 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

→ Nuts & Seeds

09 - 1/4 cup sliced almonds or pecans, toasted

→ Cheese (optional)

10 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

→ Dressing

11 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
13 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
14 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Rinse quinoa thoroughly in a fine mesh strainer under cold running water.
02 - Combine quinoa, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled quinoa, strawberries, avocado, spinach or greens, red onion, basil, and toasted almonds or pecans.
05 - Drizzle dressing over the combination and gently toss to evenly coat.
06 - Top with crumbled feta cheese if using, and serve immediately.

# Chef Secrets:

01 -
  • This salad is my go-to trick for impressing guests who love a dish that's both gorgeous and unexpectedly filling.
  • The creamy avocado balances the tangy dressing in a way that keeps you coming back for second helpings.
02 -
  • The first time I rushed the cooling step, my salad turned mushy and the avocado melted into the quinoa& patience here truly pays off.
  • Chopping herbs right before tossing them in makes a huge difference& basil loses its fragrance fast if left exposed.
03 -
  • If you cut avocado last, it stays green and your salad looks fresher longer.
  • Letting the dressing sit for 10 minutes before tossing gives deeper flavor& it’s a nice trick I learned after several batches.
Back