Strawberry Avocado Quinoa Salad (Printable Version)

Fresh strawberries, avocado, and quinoa combine in a vibrant salad with zesty citrus dressing.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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

# How to Make:

01 - Rinse quinoa thoroughly using a fine mesh strainer under cold running water.
02 - Combine quinoa, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until the 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, and salt and pepper until fully emulsified.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, strawberries, diced avocado, spinach or mixed greens, sliced red onion, chopped basil, and toasted nuts.
05 - Drizzle prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to combine, ensuring even distribution.
06 - Top with crumbled feta cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Pairing crunchy quinoa with juicy strawberries makes every forkful a surprise.
  • This salad’s zingy citrus dressing brings out flavors so fresh you’ll want to eat it straight from the bowl.
02 -
  • If you rush the cooling step for the quinoa, your greens wilt and your avocado can get mushy.
  • Whisking the citrus dressing until totally emulsified gives the salad its signature shine and tang—it’s worth a minute extra to make it creamy.
03 -
  • Let the quinoa cool completely before mixing—it keeps everything from turning soggy.
  • Layer the salad, then drizzle the dressing just before serving for perfect texture every time.
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