Time to level up your favorite quinoa salad! Whether you want a meaty or veggie-filled meal, these delicious recipes for quinoa salad are sure to satisfy your craving and hunger!
Quinoa, also known as golden grains, is an excellent replacement for rice and other grains and is a wonderful and healthy addition to salads. It’s a gluten-free grain rich in dietary fibers, B-vitamins, minerals, and protein. Apart from these nutritional values, this wholesome superfood is also very easy to prepare and great for meal prep.
Quinoa does not have to be boring. If you are looking for more ways to enjoy this healthy grain, you are at the right place! Below are some of the best recipes for quinoa salad that will make your meals healthier and heartier.
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Should Quinoa Salad be Hot or Cold?
The easiest way to introduce quinoa to your meals is by incorporating it into salads. Most quinoa salad recipes are served cold, but there are also warm quinoa salad recipes to enjoy.
You can choose to serve a warm quinoa salad during the colder months especially if you need a comforting and hearty dish to warm you up. On the other hand, cold quinoa salad recipes are best to serve during the warmer days when you need a refreshing dish for barbeque or cookouts.
In the end, it’s still up to you. Quinoa salad is a super versatile and yummy dish. You can serve it hot, cold, or at room temperature based on your preferences. Plus, you can enjoy it on its own or as a side dish as well.
Can I Put Raw Quinoa in Salad?
It’s highly recommended to eat cooked quinoa instead of raw or uncooked. You can toast quinoa like popcorn or cook it in water or broth using the same process you cook rice. According to the Whole Grains Council, the perfect cooking ratio to ensure fluffy quinoa is one cup quinoa to two cups of fluid.
Cooking quinoa brings out its flavors and makes it easier to digest. You can tell it’s done when you finally see the germ or the white tail of each kernel sticking out.
What Can I add to Quinoa to Make it Better?
You can add lots of things to Quinoa! Protein, dressing, herbs, veggies, or fruit will add a burst of flavor to your favorite meal.
Whether you have always been a fan of quinoa or you are just starting to add it to your meal plan, you will surely love these quick and easy recipes for quinoa salad. Make sure to give them a try!
Kitchen Tools to Use in Serving and Preparing These Yummy Recipes for Quinoa Salad
Say hello to a stress-free cooking experience with the help of the right cooking tools. Below are some of the most useful kitchen essentials that will make these quinoa salad recipes quicker and easier to make.
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If you are making delicious quinoa salad recipes you’ll want to have things like a fine mess strainer, cast iron skillets, a knife set and cutting boards.
Salad bowls for serving are a nice addition to any kitchen collection and some salad lunch containers make meal prep a breeze. I also like to use glass salad bowls for serving up these delicious quinoa salads.
15 Recipes for Quinoa Salad
Want a protein-filled meal? These quinoa salad recipes are delicious, meaty, and filling! Whether you choose pork, beef, or chicken, this list has a recipe ready for you!
A hearty dish with tender and juicy beef glazed with Za'atar and served with rich and creamy tzatziki sauce. This recipe is packed with Mediterranean flavors that you don’t want to miss.
Quinoa salad made tastier with marinated pork tenderloin, dried cherries, kale, sliced almonds, and scallions. This nutritious meal is budget-friendly and quick to make!
Beefy quinoa salad with a little spicy kick. This salad bowl is filled with chipotle-rubbed sirloin, baby spinach, feta cheese, black beans, avocado, red bell pepper, cilantro, and quinoa.
The perfect lunch recipe idea! This Greek chicken quinoa salad is a combination of quinoa, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, spinach, basil, feta cheese, and chicken seasoned in garlic, basil, oregano, and rosemary.
Grilled Steak, Vegetable, and Quinoa Salad with Yogurt-Tahini Dressing
A one-dish dinner that is ready in 45 minutes. This quinoa salad is topped with grilled scallions, tomatoes, fennel, and cumin-rubbed steak.
Vegetable-filled Recipes for Quinoa Salad
Need a vegan recipe or just simply love veggies in quinoa salad? I've got you covered! Browse this list of recipes below!
A wonderful make-ahead meal, this plant-based meal is nutritious, healthy, and perfect for packed lunches. It's made with a combination of quinoa, lemon juice, and a variety of chopped fresh vegetables and herbs.
Want a taste of Thai flavors? This quinoa salad is not only made with cashews and other veggies, but it also comes with a gingery peanut butter dressing. It's delish, gluten-free, and vegan too.
Ideal for potlucks, picnics, and barbeques, this summer salad quinoa salad comes with a zesty Mediterranean dressing, vegetables, and tofu! This recipe makes eight servings and you can whip it up in just 30 minutes.
Meal-prep-friendly, colorful, vegan, and gluten-free! This rainbow quinoa salad is made with corn, chickpeas, Roma tomatoes, red bell peppers, green onions, red onions, cucumber, and quinoa then tossed in a yummy lemon vinaigrette dressing.
A bed of leafy greens topped with quinoa, avocado, black beans, orange, and corn with rich and creamy orange-lime dressing. Ready in 30 minutes, this Mexican-inspired quinoa salad is fresh, bright, and delish!
Recipes for Quinoa Salad with Seafood
A real seafood lover? Enjoy your quinoa salad with seafood with the help of these must-try recipes!
Whether it's a side or main dish, you'll never go wrong with this shrimp quinoa salad with corn, honey, and zesty lime dressing. It's light, filled with fresh flavors, and done in 30 minutes.
You should certainly give this light and flavor-filled meal a try! This recipe is a combination of zesty fish fillets and quinoa with radish, zucchini, and asparagus.
This red quinoa salad comes with crab meat and a flavorful and simple dressing made of lemon juice, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, ginger, and oil.
A quick and delish tuna-filled quinoa salad recipe that can make your breakfast and lunch more filling and satisfying. All you need to make this recipe is canned tuna, olive oil, lemon juice, white cheese, cilantro, black olives, tomato, salt, pepper, and quinoa.
Hot or cold, you won't get enough of this Caribbean shrimp quinoa salad. Its Caribbean flavors make it ideal for BBQ and parties.