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Simple Quinoa Salad

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Betty Crocker Kitchens
Updated Feb 13, 2025
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The name says it all. This perfectly constructed, simply delicious quinoa salad will never let you down.

More About This Recipe

  • Fun fact: Quinoa is known as “the mother grain” but technically it’s not a grain at all. It’s actually a tiny, tough little seed. Despite its tough exterior, cooked quinoa has a light, fluffy texture and a slightly nutty taste. Because quinoa is also very absorbent, it will take on whatever flavors it’s prepared with and for that reason, soaks up the fresh flavors of cilantro, tangy lemon, avocado and tomato in this basic quinoa salad beautifully. If the call for a drizzle of honey or agave nectar seems bizarre, try it and see what you think. We’ve found that a touch of sweetness is the perfect balance to the more acidic flavors in this easy quinoa salad.

Simple Quinoa Salad

  • Prep Time 20 min
  • Total 20 min
  • Servings 6
  • Ingredients 8
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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups quinoa
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 large handful fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 haas avocado
  • 1 drizzle honey or agave nectar (optional)
  • 1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes
  • 1 lemon or lime

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    First, rinse quinoa thoroughly in a small strainer. Bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Put quinoa in water and reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook until all water is absorbed (10-15 minutes).
  • Step 
    2
    While the quinoa is cooking, halve your tomatoes and cut up your avocado and cilantro.
  • Step 
    3
    Once the quinoa is cooked, drizzle with olive oil and agave or honey and sprinkle with salt, pepper.
  • Step 
    4
    Stir up the quinoa to release some heat and bring to room temp.
  • Step 
    5
    Stir in avocado, tomato and cilantro, squeeze your citrus over this, toss and enjoy!

Nutrition

250 Calories
11g Total Fat
7g Protein
32g Total Carbohydrate
4g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
250
Calories from Fat
100
Total Fat
11g
16%
Saturated Fat
1 1/2g
7%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
0mg
0%
Sodium
10mg
0%
Potassium
480mg
14%
Total Carbohydrate
32g
11%
Dietary Fiber
5g
21%
Sugars
4g
Protein
7g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
10%
10%
Vitamin C
10%
10%
Calcium
4%
4%
Iron
15%
15%
Exchanges:
2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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