Tree Nut Free Quinoa Avocado Salad with Turmeric Lemon Dressing
This vibrant grain salad is the kind of dish that looks like it took serious effort but comes together with surprisingly little fuss. Fluffy quinoa gets tossed with creamy avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and a double hit of fresh herbs — parsley and mint — that keep every bite feeling bright and alive. The real star is the turmeric lemon dressing, a golden, garlicky vinaigrette with a gentle warmth from ground ginger that ties the whole bowl together beautifully. Pumpkin seeds add a satisfying crunch and a boost of plant-based protein without any of the cross-contact concerns that come with mixed nut toppings at the store. The recipe is naturally free of tree nuts from start to finish — no swaps needed, no label-reading required. It works equally well as a light lunch, a meal-prep staple, or a crowd-pleasing side at a summer gathering. Just fold in the avocado last and serve right away for the best texture and color.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups water
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 ripe avocados, pitted, peeled, and diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 english cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup fresh mint, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup dry-roasted pumpkin seeds
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1½ lemons)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- 1
Combine the rinsed quinoa, water, and ¼ tsp salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes, until the water is fully absorbed and the quinoa tails have unfurled.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the quinoa steam, covered, for 5 minutes. Uncover, fluff with a fork, and spread onto a large plate or sheet pan to cool for at least 10 minutes, until no longer steaming.
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