Healthy Quinoa Salad Recipe

Packed with healthy ingredients and a delicious and 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.

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.

What I Love About the Recipe

This has to be, hands down, the best quinoa salad recipe in my opinion.

You can actually meal prep the salad, customize it with your choice of ingredients, and it’ll still turn out absolutely delicious.

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.

Ingredients For the Quinoa Salad Recipe

To make this healthy quinoa salad recipe, here’s all you’ll need.

Quinoa: I started off with cooked quinoa as the base for the salad.

Red cabbage: Red cabbage is a great crunchy ingredient to add to your salad. It packs in a good antioxidant boost and also brightens up the bowl like nothing else!

Edamame: Edamame is another great addition to this salad and a good way to get that extra protein.

Red peppers: I love using red bell peppers, because they add a nice pop of color to the salad.

Radishes: Radishes lend a nice crunch factor to the salad and bring some pungent flavors into it too.

Carrots: Carrots bring some crunchy sweetness to the salad.

Parsley: Fresh chopped parsley adds some beautiful freshness and flavor to the salad.

Cashew: I like to add some chopped cashews into the salad too! It really adds a nice crunch factor.

Salad Dressing Ingredients

Soy sauce: Soy sauce lends a bit of umami and savory flavor to the salad.

Oil: You can use extra virgin olive oil or vegetable oil. This makes for the base of the salad dressing.

Lime juice (or lemon juice): Lemon juice really ties all the flavors of the dressing together.

Peanut butter (you can use almond butter): I like to add a bit of peanut butter to bring some creaminess into the salad.

Green onions: Chopped green onions bring a nice pop of color and some freshness to the dressing.

Ginger: Ginger lends an earthy spiciness to the salad dressing.

Garlic: Garlic is another absolute essential for this salad dressing. It adds that extra punch of flavor that you really want.

How to Make the Quinoa Salad

Once you have all your ingredients ready, here’s what you’ll need to make the quinoa salad from scratch.

Step 1: Prepare the Dressing

In a small bowl, mix the sauce, minced ginger, minced garlic, all of the peanut butter, onion, vegetable oil. Add lime juice. Mix.

Step 2: Cook Quinoa

In a second bowl, add cooked quinoa.

Step 3: Add Chopped Veggies

Add finely chopped vegetables. Mix.

Step 4: Add the Dressing

Add salad dressing.

Step 5: Top with Toppings & Serve

When serving, sprinkle with chopped cashews and parsley. Serve.

Tips & Tricks to Make the Quinoa Salad Recipe

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.

What Else Can I Add to the Quinoa Salad?

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!

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 Do I Store the Leftover Salad?

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. T

More Delicious Recipe Ideas

If you enjoyed making my favorite quinoa salad and are inspired to discover more delicious recipes, here are a few handpicked ones you might want to take a look at.

• Citrus And Honey Roasted Beets
• Best Healthy Snacks For Travel
• Purple Cauliflower Recipe (Mashed Cauliflower)