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Home » Recipes » Recipes

Published: Jan 27, 2025

Arugula and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

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Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Elevate your salad game with this Arugula and Quinoa Salad featuring a tangy citrus vinaigrette for a burst of flavor!

Overhead shot of arugula quinoa salad with chickpeas, almonds, avocado, and oranges on a rustic table with striped linen and wooden spoon.

Ready to fall in love with a salad that's not boring? This Arugula and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette is packed with flavors and textures—peppery arugula, nutty quinoa, creamy avocado, sweet oranges, and crunchy almonds, all tied together with a tangy and bright citrus vinaigrette. It's the perfect salad to brighten up your menu, and it's packed with nutrient-dense ingredients too.

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Salad
  • Ingredients and Their Purpose
  • Ingredient Swaps
  • How to Make Arugula and Quinoa Salad
  • Recommended Equipment & Tools
  • Tips for Recipe Success
  • Storage Instructions
  • Serving Suggestions
  • FAQs
  • Recipe Card
  • More Salad Recipes You'll Love

Why You'll Love This Salad

  • It's packed with nutrients: Protein from quinoa and chickpeas, healthy fats from avocado, and vitamins from arugula and oranges.
  • Perfect for any season: Whether embracing spring freshness or looking for a winter pick-me-up, this salad works year-round.
  • Quick and easy: Minimal prep and a short ingredient list make it perfect for busy days.
  • Crowd-pleaser: It's a hit at potlucks, dinners, or as a meal prep option.
  • Customizable: Swap ingredients to suit your pantry and preferences (more on that below).
Need another vegetable side dish?

Try my Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes, Air Fryer Asparagus or Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Apples.

Ingredients and Their Purpose

Ingredients for arugula quinoa salad laid out, including arugula, oranges, chickpeas, quinoa, almonds, and honey on a rustic table.

Dressing Ingredients

  • Extra-virgin Olive Oil: The base for a rich, silky vinaigrette.
  • Lemon and Orange Juices: Add bright, zesty flavors and balanced sweetness.
  • Honey: A natural sweetener that complements the citrus.
  • Shallot: Adds a subtle, savory kick.
  • Sea Salt and Black Pepper: Elevate all the flavors.

Salad Ingredients

  • Quinoa: A protein-packed, nutty base that's naturally gluten-free.
  • Arugula: Brings a peppery bite and vibrant green color.
  • Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans): Boosts protein and adds a creamy texture.
  • Avocados: Creamy and rich, they balance the citrusy tang.
  • Oranges: Sweet and juicy, they complement the vinaigrette beautifully.
  • Almonds: Sliced for crunch and a nutty finish.

See the printable recipe card below for exact quantities.

Ingredient Swaps

  • Quinoa: Try couscous, farro, or brown rice.
  • Arugula: Swap for baby arugula and baby spinach combo. 
  • Almonds: Use walnuts, pecans, or sunflower seeds.
  • Oranges: Swap with mandarin oranges or blood oranges.
  • Shallot: Red Onion
  • Honey: Substitute with maple syrup for a vegan option.

How to Make Arugula and Quinoa Salad

Cooked quinoa in a saucepan placed on a wooden table, surrounded by fresh ingredients like avocado, almonds, and shallots.
1. Cook the quinoa: Prepare it according to the package instructions and let it cool.
Small bowl of homemade citrus vinaigrette with a whisk, surrounded by orange peel and other salad ingredients on a rustic table.
2. Whisk the dressing: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, orange juice, honey, shallot, salt, and pepper.
Freshly peeled and sliced oranges on a cutting board with a chef’s knife, next to whole oranges and a rustic cloth.
3. Prep the oranges: Remove the peel and pith, then slice into thin rounds.
Overhead shot of arugula quinoa salad with chickpeas, almonds, avocado, and oranges on a rustic table with striped linen and wooden spoon.
4. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, toss together arugula, quinoa, chickpeas, avocados, oranges, and almonds. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.

See the printable recipe card below for exact recipe instructions.

Free Weekly Meal Planner Printable Graphic

Recommended Equipment & Tools

Serving Bowl, Cutting Board, Chef's Knife

Tips for Recipe Success

  • Cool the quinoa: Warm quinoa can wilt the arugula, so ensure it's thoroughly cooled before tossing.
  • Use fresh citrus juice: It makes a world of difference in flavor compared to bottled juice.
  • Toss gently: To avoid mashing the avocados, toss the salad carefully.

Storage Instructions

  • Fresh: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Toss again before serving.
  • Dressing: If you plan to store the salad, keep the dressing separate. It'll stay fresh for up to a week in the fridge.
  • Freezing: While the salad ingredients don't freeze well, you can prepare and freeze the quinoa for up to 3 months.

Serving Suggestions

  • Pair this arugula quinoa salad recipe with grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp for a complete meal.
  • Serve it alongside crusty bread for a light yet satisfying lunch.
  • Add a sprinkle of feta cheese or goat cheese for extra creaminess.
Close-up of arugula salad ingredients, featuring avocado chunks, orange slices, chickpeas, and almonds, showcasing fresh, colorful textures.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes! Prep all the ingredients (except avocado) and store them separately. Add avocado and toss with dressing just before serving.

Is this salad gluten-free?

Absolutely! Quinoa is naturally gluten-free, making this salad safe for those avoiding gluten.

How can I add more protein?

Grilled chicken, shrimp, or a hard-boiled egg would be fantastic additions.

Vibrant arugula quinoa salad topped with oranges and chickpeas in a wooden bowl, shown from a top angle with a small pitcher of dressing nearby.

Ready to try this Lemony Arugula and Quinoa Salad with Refreshing Citrus Vinaigrette? Whether you're making it for a quick lunch, a fancy dinner, or just because you need some greens in your life, this salad is a winner. Don't forget to share your creation—I'd love to see how yours turns out! 

If you give this recipe a try, please leave a comment below, rate the recipe, and don’t forget to tag me @homesweetfarmhome on Instagram. I’d love to see what you come up with and share with our community. Cheers!

Recipe Card

Vibrant arugula quinoa salad topped with oranges and chickpeas in a wooden bowl, shown from a top angle with a small pitcher of dressing nearby.

Arugula and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Elevate your salad game with this Arugula and Quinoa Salad featuring a tangy citrus vinaigrette for a burst of flavor!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 465kcal
Author: Shannon

Ingredients

Dressing

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon shallot minced
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Salad

  • 1 cup raw quinoa cooked according to package instructions and cooled
  • 8 cups arugula
  • 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 2 medium slightly firm avocados cut into cubes
  • 2 oranges
  • ½ cup almonds sliced
Prevent your screen from going dark.

Instructions

  • Prepare quinoa as directed and let cool.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, orange juice, honey, shallot, sea salt and ground black pepper. Set aside.
  • Cut away peel and pith from oranges. Quarter oranges, then slice crosswise into ¼-inch-thick pieces. Set aside.
  • In a large serving bowl, add the arugula, cooled quinoa, chickpeas, avocados, oranges and almonds. Toss.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients, then toss gently to combine. Serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 465kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Sodium: 405mg | Potassium: 876mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 856IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 141mg | Iron: 4mg

* The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

More Salad Recipes You'll Love

  • Fall kale salad with apples, pomegranates, pecans, bacon, and blue cheese in a wooden bowl.
    Fall Kale Salad
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    Radish Spring Salad
  • A top-down shot of the Greek tomato salad with wooden serving spoons beside it.
    Greek Tomato Salad
  • A close-up of a radicchio citrus salad with vibrant orange slices, pistachios, and feta crumbles in a white serving bowl.
    Radicchio Citrus Salad
See more Salads →
« Radicchio Citrus Salad
Greek Tomato Salad »

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Hi! I'm Shannon and I live on a farm in Northern California where we enjoy a hard day’s work, home cooked meals and preserving the past. Oh yeah, we’re building a new (old) Farmhouse too! I created this blog as a way to journal our Farmhouse build and collect our family-favorite recipes.

More about me →

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