Quinoa Avocado Salad

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Quinoa Avocado Salad

  • Author: michelle
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: stove top
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

Make this healthy salad as lunch or dinner. This meal is full of protein, fiber, and healthy carbs. Quinoa is a gluten-free protein-rich seed. It is a great substitute for rice if you’re looking to add some variety to your meals.   Enjoy!

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of white or red quinoa (follow instructions on package)
  • 1– 15oz can of black beans
  • 1– 15 oz can of garbanzo beans or chickpeas
  • 1 bell pepper stemmed, seeded, and chopped into 1/4 inch pieces (red, yellow, orange, or green) cooked or raw, I prefer cooked.
  • 1/2 small onion (cooked or raw, I prefer cooked).
  • 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
  • fresh or powder garlic, cayenne pepper (optional), or any of your favorite herbs and spices.
  • 1 sliced tomato
  • 2–4 handfuls of chopped kale, romaine lettuce, swiss chard. or any mixed greens

For the Dressing

  • 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (preferably with the mother)
  • Juice from 1/2 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon of honey
  • pinch of sea salt or kosher salt
  • pinch of pepper

Instructions

  1. To make the dressing, whisk all ingredients together in a bowl. Taste and adjust if needed.
  2. Cook quinoa per instructions.
  3. Pour the can of black beans and garbanzo beans/chickpeas into a strainer and rinse with water, add bell pepper, onion, and seasonings, and cook slowly in a separate pot.
  4. Add all ingredients including tomatoes and avocado to a bowl.
  5. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to mix.

Notes

Be sure to buy your avocado a few days before making the salad so it’s perfectly ripe.

The quinoa can be cooked and refrigerated up to approximately 3 days before assembling the salad. The dressing can also be made ahead of time.

Use cannellini beans or Great Northern beans instead of chickpeas/garbanzo beans if desired.

If you are craving another clean protein to make this an even more robust meal, add chicken, salmon, shrimp, or tofu (fried or baked).

Keywords: Quinoa, Salad, Lunch, Dinner