4.6 from 615 votes
Easy Quinoa Salad Recipe
This Easy Quinoa Salad blends cooked quinoa with fresh spinach, cucumber, tomatoes, avocado, and green onions, tossed in a lemony dressing flavored with garlic, golden balsamic vinegar, and a touch of maple syrup. The combination offers a refreshing, mildly tangy salad with a variety of textures from crisp vegetables and creamy avocado, suitable for lunch, light dinners, or meal prep.
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings:
6
Calories:
225 kcal
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 large lemon
- 1 tablespoon golden balsamic vinegar can use red wine vinegar, or champagne vinegar
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup (can use honey)
- black pepper to taste, Kosher salt
- salt to taste, Kosher salt
For the Salad:
- 2 cups quinoa cooked
- 2 cups spinach chopped, fresh leaves
- 1 cup cucumber chopped
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved, or cherry tomatoes
- 1 avocado pitted, peeled, and chopped, large
- 2 green onion sliced
- black pepper to taste, Kosher salt
- salt to taste, Kosher salt
Instructions
- First, make the dressing. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, vinegar, maple syrup or honey, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine quinoa, spinach, cucumber, tomatoes, avocado, and green onions.
- Drizzle salad with dressing and gently stir until salad is coated with the dressing. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- If meal prepping, add the avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
- Keep the dressing separate or add more at serving time to refresh the salad.
- Substitute spinach with arugula or kale for different greens.
- Optional additions include cooked shredded chicken, chickpeas, nuts, or cheeses like feta or parmesan.
- Fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, or cilantro can be added for extra flavor.
Nutrition Information
Serving
6g
Calories
225kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
19g
(6%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
15g
(23%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Sodium
19mg
(1%)
Potassium
419mg
(9%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
1165IU
(23%)
Vitamin C
15.3mg
(17%)
Calcium
33mg
(3%)
Iron
1.7mg
(9%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 225
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 6g | |
| Calories | 225kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 19g | 6% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Sodium | 19mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 419mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 1165IU | 23% |
| Vitamin C | 15.3mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 33mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1.7mg | 9% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.