Sweet, juicy strawberries and creamy avocado combine with fluffy quinoa in this delicious strawberry avocado quinoa salad. It's a healthy yet filling side dish that's great for summer. (gluten-free, vegetarian)

You can probably tell that I’m all about the fresh fruit this time of year! I love incorporating naturally sweet, fresh summer fruit into all of my meals to make them extra fresh and nutritious. One of my favorite ways is to make a sweet and savory quinoa salad that's perfect as a side dish or as a vegetarian lunch.

Why You'll Love This Quinoa Salad

Fresh strawberries, creamy avocado, tangy goat cheese, and fresh basil all combine into one super flavorful salad that just tastes like summer in a bowl. A base of fluffy, nutty quinoa makes it filling and higher in protein. Thanks to quick-cooking quinoa, this salad's an easy-to-make side dish that can be prepped ahead or made on the fly all summer long!

What Makes This Quinoa Salad Healthy?

This strawberry quinoa salad is also loaded with nutrition. Strawberries are a great source of immune-boosting vitamin C, as well as antioxidants, potassium, folate, and fiber. Combined with the fiber, folate, potassium, and healthy fat from avocado and quinoa, this salad provides tons of nutrients that are good for your heart, digestion, and overall health!

How To Make Strawberry Avocado Quinoa Salad

three image collage showing steps for making Strawberry Avocado Quinoa Salad.

If it's not already, cook the quinoa.
In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa with sliced strawberries, diced avocado, roughly torn basil and goat cheese.
Whisk the vinegar, oil, honey, salt and pepper. Pour over the salad and gently stir to combine.

Recipe Variations and Ingredient Substitutions

Leave out the goat cheese for a vegan and dairy-free option.
You can also use feta if you don't care for goat cheese.
Mint is also really delicious in this salad. You can use it instead of, or in addition to, to the basil.
Feel free to use any cooked whole grain that you like instead of quinoa! Just know that some grains (like farro) are not gluten-free if that matters to you.

More Delicious Salads Featuring Strawberries

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Strawberry Avocado Quinoa Salad

Author: Kaleigh
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Category: side dish
Method: stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup uncooked quinoa
¼ tsp salt
2 cups water or vegetable stock
½ lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
1 ripe avocado, diced
¼ cup fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
2 oz goat cheese, crumbled*
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp honey
Pinch sea salt
Pinch freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, bring quinoa, salt and water or stock to a boil. Cover, lower heat and simmer 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let quinoa cool completely.
Add cooled quinoa to a large bowl with sliced strawberries, diced avocado, basil, and crumbled goat cheese.
In a small bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients (vinegar through pepper). Pour over quinoa salad. Gently toss to coat. Serve or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

If you're using cooked quinoa, you'll need about 3 cups. For tips on cooking perfect quinoa, see this post all about cooking quinoa.
Leave out the goat cheese for a vegan and dairy-free option.
You can also use feta if you don't care for goat cheese.
Mint is also really delicious in this salad. You can use it instead of, or in addition to, to the basil.
Feel free to use any cooked whole grain that you like instead of quinoa! Just know that some grains (like farro) are not gluten-free if that matters to you.

Keywords: strawberry avocado quinoa salad, quinoa salad with strawberries