Packed with healthy ingredients and a delicious creamy salad dressing, this healthy Quinoa Salad recipe is an absolute must-try. Whether you're trying to get more veggies on your plate or are just trying to stick to clean eating, quinoa salads are the way to go.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Fantastic Taste: This has to be, hands down, the best quinoa salad recipe in my opinion.
- Good Meal Prep: You can actually meal prep the salad, customize it with your choice of ingredients, and it'll still turn out absolutely delicious.
- Great Way To Use Quinoa: Another big plus is the fact that you can actually put your leftover cooked quinoa to use for this salad. It gets 5 stars in my household every time I make it.
If you're looking for an easy salad that's filling, nutritious, healthy and flavorful all at the same time, you've got to give this recipe a try. This quinoa recipe is perfect when your craving food that is packed with goodness!
🥘 Ingredients
To make this healthy quinoa salad recipe, here's all you'll need.
- Quinoa: Forms the nutritious, protein-rich base of the salad.
- Red cabbage: Adds a crunch, antioxidant boost, and vibrant color to the salad.
- Edamame: Provides additional protein and a contrasting texture.
- Red peppers: Contribute a pop of color and sweet flavor to the salad.
- Radishes: Offer a crunchy texture and pungent flavor note.
- Carrots: Bring a sweet crunch to the salad's texture.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a burst of freshness and herby flavor.
- Cashews: Enhance the salad with a delightful crunch.
Salad Dressing Ingredients
- Soy sauce: Infuses the salad with umami and savory undertones.
- Oil: Acts as the base for the dressing, either olive or vegetable oil.
- Lime (or lemon) juice: Ties the flavors together with its tangy brightness.
- Peanut butter: Adds a creamy texture and nutty flavor to the salad.
- Green onions: Provide a pop of color and fresh taste to the dressing.
- Ginger: Lends an earthy spiciness to the salad dressing.
- Garlic: Amplifies the dressing with a punch of pungent flavor.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
Based on what you have at hand, you can add tons of different ingredients into the salad and experiment with the flavors and add-ons- it is a great recipe that way!
- Top this dish with Cilantro Chimichurri sauce for a delicious variation.
- To make the salad more flavorful and bring some creaminess and saltiness into it, you can add some crumbled feta cheese.
- Black beans can be a another excellent addition to the salad, and can lend it some protein punch.
- Grilled chicken is another fantastic protein source to consider adding to your salad. You can also use rotisserie shredded chicken if you want to.
- Fresh cucumber can add a nice bit of crunchiness and flavor to the salad.
- In addition to the chopped green onion, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or fresh parsley can really brighten up the flavor of this easy quinoa salad.
- You can also add some red bell pepper, red onion, cherry tomatoes and drained canned corn to the salad- basically any fresh veggies and fresh herbs that you can get your hands on.
🔪How To Make Quinoa Salad
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix the sauce, minced ginger, minced garlic, all of the peanut butter, onion, and vegetable oil. Add lime juice. Mix.
- Step 2: In a second bowl, add cooked quinoa.
- Step 3: Add finely chopped vegetables. Mix to combine. Add salad dressing.
- Step 4: When serving, sprinkle with chopped cashews and parsley. Serve.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
While making this simple quinoa salad recipe is super easy, you might want to note down these little tips and tricks too.
- If you don't have fresh lime juice, you can also make do with some fresh lemon juice instead.
- If you don't have both, you can just use some apple cider vinegar to bring that tanginess into the salad.
- Want the salad dressing to have a bit of sweetness? You can add a dash of maple syrup into it too.
- If you want a spicy kick to the salad, a dash of red pepper flakes is the way to go.
- If you want a gluten free version of the dressing, just skip adding the soy sauce and instead using coconut aminos.
- If you don't have the fresh garlic that the recipe calls for, you can also just use some garlic powder instead.
💭 FAQs
Yes! This quinoa salad actually gets better after a few hours or even overnight as the flavors have time to meld together. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and give it a quick toss before serving.
Absolutely! This salad is highly customizable. Feel free to add any vegetables you like, such as cucumber, bell peppers, or even roasted sweet potatoes. Just ensure they're chopped into bite-sized pieces to keep the texture balanced.
Yes, you can substitute quinoa with other grains like farro, couscous, or bulgur. Each grain will bring its own texture, but quinoa is a great choice for its protein content and light, fluffy texture.
When stored properly in the fridge, quinoa salad can last up to 3-4 days. If you're planning to keep it longer, it's best to leave out any dressings or perishable toppings until ready to serve.
You can store your leftover quinoa salad in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. This can actually be a great cold quinoa salad that you can enjoy without needing to reheat it. If you're planning to meal prep it, I would recommend storing the veggies and quinoa separately and adding the dressing in just a few minutes before you plan to have it.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Here are some of the best meat options to serve with Quinoa Salad:
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork: Cook pork shoulder or pork butt with your favorite seasoning or BBQ sauce until tender and easily shredded. The juicy and flavorful pulled pork pairs wonderfully with the lightness of quinoa salad, creating a satisfying meal with a hint of smokiness.
- Instant Pot Chicken Thighs: Season chicken thighs with herbs and spices, then cook them in the Instant Pot until tender and juicy. The succulent chicken thighs complement the nutty quinoa and fresh vegetables in the salad, adding protein and flavor to the dish.
- Instant Pot Shredded Chicken: Cook chicken breasts or thighs in the Instant Pot with broth and seasonings until tender, then shred the meat. The tender shredded chicken adds protein to the quinoa salad and absorbs the flavors of the dressing, creating a delicious and nutritious meal.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Healthy Quinoa Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For The Salad
- ¾ Cup Quinoa Cooked
- ¼ Cup Red Cabbage
- 3 tablespoon Edamame
- ⅓ Cup Red pepper
- 1 ½ tablespoon Radishes 1 ½ tbsp.
- 2 ½ tablespoon Carrots
- 2 Sprigs Parsley
- 1 tablespoon Cashew
For The Dressing
- 2 tablespoon Soy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
- 1 Lime Juiced or lemon juice 1 ½ tbsp
- 1 tablespoon Peanut butter Or Almond Butter
- 1 tablespoon Green Onion
- ½ teaspoon Ginger
- ½ teaspoon Garlic
Instructions
- Once you have all your ingredients ready, here's what you'll need to make the quinoa salad from scratch.
- In a small bowl, mix the sauce, minced ginger, minced garlic, all of the peanut butter, onion, vegetable oil. Add lime juice. Mix.
- In a second bowl, add cooked quinoa.
- Add finely chopped vegetables. Mix.
- Add salad dressing.
- When serving, sprinkle with chopped cashews and parsley. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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love this recipe because it transforms simple ingredients into a vibrant, protein-packed salad that's both nourishing and satisfying. The combination of quinoa, colorful veggies, and a zesty peanut-lime dressing makes it a go-to for meal prep or a refreshing side dish.