Superfoods Quinoa Salad Recipe With Creamy Avocado Orange Dressing (20 Minutes) by Jan Mostrom

If you haven't noticed, we love quinoa at our house. Quinoa is a superfood, so I'm always looking for new fresh ways to use the ancient grain (and it's always so delicious).

This refreshing and healthy vegetable and quinoa salad recipe with avocado and orange salad dressing is so easy to prepare. Make the quinoa (which is naturally gluten-free and packed with protein, zinc, fiber, folate and antioxidants) and prep your other ingredients while it cooks.

Photo credit (all photos): Jan Mostrom

Here is what you need to make this healthy grain salad recipe: quinoa, fresh tomatoes, carrot, sweet pepper, green onion, parsley, mint, raw pumpkin seeds and raw sunflower seeds. For the salad dressing you need an avocado, orange juice, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

This healthy quinoa salad is loaded with nutrition and health benefits! Read about the health benefits of quinoa, the health benefits of peppers, the health benefits of seeds and the health benefits of avocado.

Variation: Substitute your favorite fresh vegetables to make this superfoods salad your own.

Serve this healthy quinoa grain salad with your favorite protein for a complete meal!

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

Salad

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1 carrot, diced 
• 1 sweet pepper, chopped
• 1 green onion, chopped
• handful of parsley, chopped
• handful of mint, chopped
• 2 tablespoons raw pumpkin seeds
• 2 tablespoons raw sunflower seeds

Dressing

• 1/2 avocado, mashed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Here's how to make it: 

1. Cook the quinoa according to package directions.
   
2. Make the dressing by combining all ingredients together in a jar or bowl. Whisk or shake to combine. (Using a good-quality balsamic vinegar makes all the difference in recipes. So splurge on a good bottle!)
   
3. While the quinoa is cooking, chop tomato, vegetables and herbs. When quinoa is done place it in a medium serving bowl and add the rest of the salad ingredients.
   
4. Pour dressing over the salad.
   
5. Toss. Serve warm and enjoy. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
   

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