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    Home » Snacks & Sides

    Vegan Avocado Quinoa Salad Recipe

    Updated: May 30, 2023 by Katie Hale · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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    If you want something tasty and refreshing, but still satisfying, then this avocado quinoa salad is going to become a favorite new vegan lunch or side dish.

    fork of salad held above white plate with black background

    This salad is packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats, making it a great option for vegans, vegetarians, and anyone looking for a tasty and nourishing meal.

    If you like this, then make sure you check out some of our other tasty salad recipes such as the Jennifer Aniston salad or this Mexican corn salad.

    Jump to:
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪Instructions
    • 📋 Substitutions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🫙Storage
    • 🍽Equipment
    • 💭 Top Tip
    • ❓FAQ
    • Related
    • Pairing
    • Vegan Avocado Quinoa Salad Recipe
    • Food Safety

    🥘 Ingredients

    You have two sets of ingredients below. The first is for the salad itself, and the second is for the dressing. The exact quantities can be found in the printable recipe card below.

    For the salad:

    • Quinoa
    • Tomato
    • Carrot
    • Mixed greens
    • Avocado
    • Hummus
    blue bowl of lettuce on table with tomato, avocado, carrots, and bowls of ingredients on white table

    For the dressing:

    • Olive oil
    • Dijon mustard
    • Vinegar
    three bowls of ingredients on white marble table

    🔪Instructions

    Begin by preparing the quinoa. Rinse it well, then add to a saucepan with 2 cups of water. Cook for 10 minutes at a low temperature or until the quinoa has absorbed the water. Season with salt as desired. Set this aside.

    spoon in blue saucepan of quinoa

    While the quinoa is cooking, chop the tomato and slice the avocado. You can then dice or slice the carrot into thin pieces.

    tomato being sliced on wood cutting board
    avocado being sliced on wood cutting board

    Next, in a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, Dijon mustard, and vinegar. Taste and season if desired.

    spoon of dressing held above bowl

    To serve, layer the lettuce, quinoa, tomatoes, carrots, and avocado in a large bowl then drizzle with dressing.

    hummus being spooned on top of tomatoes in bowl of salad
    dressing being poured over salad in blue bowl

    Toss to combine and enjoy.

    carrots, avocado, hummus, quinoa, tomato, and lettuce in blue bowl on wood table

    📋 Substitutions

    This recipe is pretty simple, so you likely won't need to make many, if any, substitutions. You can, however, swap a few things out if desired.

    • Swap the quinoa for brown rice, couscous, or orzo.
    • Use any mixture of lettuce or leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, or arugula.
    • Use a ready-made vinegarette.

    This is a simple base salad that you can easily update to suit your own preferences.

    square white plate of avocado quinoa salad with half avocado on edge

    📖 Variations

    Since this is a pretty basic recipe, it's super easy to make it differently. As mentioned above, there are a few substitutions that work, but below are even more ideas that can add flavor to this dish.

    • Add a serving of roasted chickpeas, black beans, or marinated tofu for more protein and flavor.
    • Mix some red pepper flakes into the vinegarette for a kick of flavor.
    • Swap out the carrot and tomato or add to it with other vegetables like cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, or celery.
    • Season the quinoa while it cooks with a flavored broth, fresh chopped chile, or jalapenos.
    • Add crumbled vegan feta cheese over the top.

    Use your imagination and combine flavors to give this the perfect update.

    two forks holding up salad out of blue bowl

    🫙Storage

    If you are preparing this in advance, I recommend keeping each element stored separately. The quinoa and dressing are good for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. The vegetables are good for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

    If storing leftovers, I recommend keeping them separate if possible to prevent the lettuce from wilting.

    This recipe is not good when frozen. It is best made fresh as needed.

    🍽Equipment

    If your kitchen isn't already fully stocked, now is the time to start adding to your kitchenware. Below are a few great tools to consider that I highly recommend.

    • Saucepan
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • Mixing bowl
    • Whisk
    • Chef's knife
    • Cutting board
    white plate of avocado quinoa salad

    💭 Top Tip

    One tip to make this recipe even better is to toast the quinoa before cooking it. This will give it a nuttier flavor and a slightly crunchy texture, making it even more delicious.

    You can also add seasoned vegetables or mushroom broth instead of water to the quinoa for a richer flavor. This can really elevate the flavor and experience of the salad from basic to extraordinary.

    ❓FAQ

    How healthy is quinoa salad?

    While many find quinoa to be a wonderful addition to a salad with tons of protein and fiber, it really depends upon your preferences.

    What are the benefits of adding avocado to salad?

    Avocado is a wonderful addition with tons of healthy fats, folate, fiber, and potassium. It adds a filling element as well as nutrition.

    bowl of salad on wood tray

    Related

    If you enjoy this recipe, then the ones below are sure to be a hit on your menu. Packed with flavor, plant-based, and ideal for sharing! Bookmark these today.

    quinoa chickpea salad in a bowl ready to serve
    Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas
    close up of curried quinoa salad in a salad bowl
    Curried Quinoa Salad
    vegan Broccoli Salad in a blue and white bowl with one wooden tong
    Vegan Broccoli Salad

    Pairing

    This salad is filling, but you may find you want a little something more. It pairs wonderfully with the recipes below and is a great addition to many menus whether for lunch or dinner.

    grilled bbq tofu on a plate with veggie skewers and rice
    BBQ Grilled Tofu
    cropped-vegan-portobello-mushroom-burger-1.jpg
    Portobello Burger
    vegan steak in a grill pan being sliced
    Vegan Seitan Steak
    salad with shredded carrots in cream sauce on white plate

    Vegan Avocado Quinoa Salad Recipe

    Katie Hale
    Our vegan avocado quinoa salad recipe is packed with fresh ingredients and flavor! Try this healthy and delicious salad today.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Salads
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2
    Calories 516 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the salad:

    • 1 cup quinoa
    • 1 tomato
    • 1 medium carrot
    • 2 cups mixed green salad or lettuce
    • ½ avocado
    • 2 tablespoon hummus

    For the dressing:

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 2 tablespoon vinegar

    Instructions
     

    • Let's get started on this scrumptious dish by first preparing the quinoa. Give it a good rinse and place it in a saucepan with 2 cups of water. Cook over low heat for about 10 minutes until the water is fully absorbed. Add salt to taste and set it aside.
      spoon in blue saucepan of quinoa
    • While the quinoa is cooking, chop up the tomato and slice the avocado. Cut the carrot into thin slices or dice as desired.
      carto being peeled above cutting board
    • Now, let's make the dressing. Grab a small bowl and whisk together the olive oil, Dijon mustard, and vinegar. Give it a taste and season it further if needed.
      yellow salad dressing in glass bowl
    • To serve, grab a large bowl and layer it with the lettuce, quinoa, tomatoes, carrots, and avocado. Drizzle the dressing on top and give it a good toss to combine all the ingredients.
      salad in striped bowl before tossing with dressing

    Video

    Notes

    1. Use vegetable broth or mushroom broth when cooking the quinoa for added flavor. 
    2. Squeeze lime juice over the avocado to help it stay fresh for longer. 
    3. Feel free to add more vegetables if desired.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 516kcalCarbohydrates: 68gProtein: 16gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gSodium: 120mgPotassium: 1103mgFiber: 13gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 6060IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 83mgIron: 5mg
    Keyword avocado quinoa salad, vegan quinoa salad, vegan salad recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Food Safety

    Are you following food safety standards in your kitchen? Make sure to check the tips below to keep your kitchen clean and safe.

    • Always sanitize countertops, cutting boards, utensils, and cookware thoroughly between each use.
    • Wash your hands in warm soapy water, rubbing for at least 20 seconds before rinsing. Remember, "FROG" means friction rubs off germs.
    • After serving food, allow it to cool, then place it into the refrigerator or proper storage immediately. Food should be at room temperature for no more than 2 hours for safety.

    More Snacks & Sides

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Patricia

      May 10, 2023 at 10:59 pm

      Your dishes look wonderful. Most definitely going to try.
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Vera Morgan

        May 11, 2023 at 10:41 am

        Aww thank you Patricia!

        Reply

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