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Vibrant, zesty, creamy, and satisfying, this avocado quinoa salad with grapefruit (or mango!) is the ultimate combination of fresh flavors and wholesome ingredients!
![Completed Avocado Quinoa Salad [With Grapefruit] on a plate.](https://plantbasedonabudget.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/62-Tanzanian-Quinoa-Salad-with-Grapefruit-and-Avocado-Plant-Based-on-a-Budget-5.jpg)
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
As the overindulgence of the holiday season fades, the New Year ushers in cravings for vibrant flavors. Luckily, this avocado quinoa salad with grapefruit is satisfying and bursting with flavor, pairing creamy avocado, tart grapefruit, juicy tomatoes, and hearty, herb-infused quinoa. Packed with fiber, protein, antioxidants, and a rainbow of nutrients, it’s a well-rounded salad that’s as wholesome as it is pretty (so pretty!).
With minimal ingredients for maximum flavor, this recipe is essentially an avocado grapefruit salad with the added filling heartiness of (superfood!) quinoa. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for winter/spring, thanks to immune-boosting, vitamin-c-rich seasonal grapefruit, though it can be customized (or omitted) to enjoy year-round. Whether as a light lunch, picnic or potluck side, or refreshing dinner, this salad is sure to impress.
You might enjoy a Southwest quinoa salad, vegan lemon-garlic Mediterranean quinoa, fall quinoa salad, and/or a kale quinoa salad.
Ingredient Notes
Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients, substitutes, and quantities.
![Ingredients for Avocado Quinoa Salad [With Grapefruit] measured out on a white surface.](https://plantbasedonabudget.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Quinoa-Salad-with-Grapefruit-and-Avocado-Ingredients.png)
Recipe Variations
Enjoy the recipe as-is, or experiment with any of the below for a quinoa, avocado, and grapefruit salad bursting with flavor, color, and texture.
- Sweetener: Maple syrup/agave to balance tart flavor in this grapefruit salad recipe.
- Citrus dressing: Add more flavor with a lemon dressing.
- Leafy greens: Add spinach/massaged kale for heaps of nutrients. Arugula/mixed greens also work.
- Fennel: (Shaved) Adds crunch and licorice-like flavor that complements grapefruit.
- Other vegetables: Add more crunch, color, and flavor with red onion, bell pepper, and cucumber (English/Persian is best).
- Beans: Add more heartiness/protein with white beans, black beans, or chickpeas.
- Jalapeno: Finely diced to add spice (add seeds/ribs for more heat).
- Vegan cheese: Like a sprinkle of tofu feta cheese or shaved vegan parmesan.
- Nuts/seeds: Add crunch with pistachios, pepitas, sunflower seeds, etc.
How to Make Avocado and Quinoa Salad
Step 1: Cook the quinoa. Uncover, fluff up with a fork, and leave it to cool. Working over a bowl (to catch juices), peel the grapefruits, discarding any bitter white pith and membrane, then chop it into small ½-inch pieces. Also, quarter the cherry tomatoes, peel and dice the avocado, and finely chop the mint and cilantro.
Step 2: Once the quinoa is only slightly warm, transfer it to a large serving bowl with the remaining ingredients. Toss, taste, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it sit at room temperature for a minimum of 5 minutes for the flavors to meld and marinate.
Alternatively, use your favorite method to cook quinoa – like the Instant Pot quinoa method found in this complete guide to quinoa. To speed up cooling, spread it across a tray/wide surface area.
FAQs for Avocado Quinoa Salad
A ripe avocado should have a little give when squeezed, with no overly soft spots. When lifting the stem (which should come away easily – otherwise, that may indicate underripeness), it should be green beneath. If it’s brown, it may be overripe. Here’s a guide to avocado to reference!
Grapefruits hit their peak season from November to May, making them perfect for light and bright post-holiday grapefruit salad and other dishes.
First, chop off the top and bottom of the grapefruit, then remove strips of peel from top to bottom until it’s all gone. Then, slice between the segments to remove the segment flesh from the pith.
Pro Recipe Tips
- Use ripe, seasonal ingredients: This fruit and quinoa salad with avocado is simple and minimalist, so make sure to use ripe, juicy grapefruit (or mango) and avocado (not overly mushy or too hard!) for the best flavor and texture.
- For more flavor: Toast quinoa (in the pan) until fragrant before boiling. This brings out its nutty flavor.
- To avoid bitter quinoa: Rinse it (if the package doesn’t state it’s been pre-rinsed) to remove its natural ‘saponin’ coating, which can taste bitter.
- To speed up cooling: Spread the cooked quinoa across a sheet pan to cool (in the fridge for faster results).
- Rest before serving: Let it sit for at least 5 minutes (30 minutes is even better) for the flavors to marinade and meld.
![Completed Avocado Quinoa Salad [With Grapefruit] on a plate.](https://plantbasedonabudget.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/62-Tanzanian-Quinoa-Salad-with-Grapefruit-and-Avocado-Plant-Based-on-a-Budget-6.jpg)
Storage Instructions
Store: In an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, though it’s best in the first 2-3. It’s best to add the avocado before serving each time.
Freeze: Freeze plain cooked quinoa in a freezer-safe container/bag for up to 3 months. Then, thaw in the fridge overnight and combine with salad ingredients.
![Completed Avocado Quinoa Salad [With Grapefruit] on a plate.](https://plantbasedonabudget.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/62-Tanzanian-Quinoa-Salad-with-Grapefruit-and-Avocado-Plant-Based-on-a-Budget-8.jpg)
Other Vegan Salad Recipes to Consider….
Vegan Appetizers
French Potato Salad
Vegan Lunches
Black Bean Quinoa Salad
Vegan Lunches
Orzo Chickpea Salad
Vegan Side Dishes
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
If you tried this avocado quinoa salad recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!
Avocado Quinoa Salad [With Grapefruit]
![completed Avocado Quinoa Salad [With Grapefruit] on a plate](https://plantbasedonabudget.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/62-Tanzanian-Quinoa-Salad-with-Grapefruit-and-Avocado-Plant-Based-on-a-Budget-1-2-300x300.jpg)
Ingredients
- 1 cup of quinoa rinsed and drained
- 2 grapefruits
- ¼ cup of chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons of chopped mint
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of coriander
- 2 avocados peeled, pitted, and cut into ½-inch pieces
- 7 ounces of cherry tomatoes quartered
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the quinoa, and boil until cooked, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Peel the grapefruits and remove the pith with a sharp paring knife. Working over a bowl to catch any juice, cut the grapefruit into ½-inch pieces.
- Transfer the quinoa to a large mixing bowl. Add everything else, toss together, and add salt and pepper to taste. Let sit at room temperature so the flavors can meld, anywhere from 5 minutes to half an hour.
Notes
- For more flavor: Toast quinoa (in the pan) until fragrant before boiling. This brings out its nutty flavor.
- To avoid bitter quinoa: Rinse it (if the package doesn’t state it’s been pre-rinsed) to remove its natural ‘saponin’ coating, which can taste bitter.
- To speed up cooling: Spread the cooked quinoa across a sheet pan to cool (in the fridge for faster results).
- Rest before serving: Let it sit for at least 5 minutes (30 minutes is even better) for the flavors to marinade and meld.
![pin for Avocado Quinoa Salad [With Grapefruit]](https://plantbasedonabudget.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Quinoa-Salad-with-Grapefruit-and-Avocado-Pin-2-150x150.png)
![pin for Avocado Quinoa Salad [With Grapefruit]](https://plantbasedonabudget.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Quinoa-Salad-with-Grapefruit-and-Avocado-Pin-1-150x150.png)
![completed Avocado Quinoa Salad [With Grapefruit] on a plate](https://plantbasedonabudget.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/62-Tanzanian-Quinoa-Salad-with-Grapefruit-and-Avocado-Plant-Based-on-a-Budget-5-150x150.jpg)
Such a yummy quinoa salad!
tried to email myself quinoa grapefruit salad but it won’t work
Oh no! I’m sorry about that. What was the problem? Maybe I can help. I just made it again last week.