Easy Quinoa Salad

Name: Easy Quinoa Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed; 10 cherry tomatoes, quartered; 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced; 11 ounce can mandarin oranges; 1 small cucumber, chopped; 1 small red onion, chopped; 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 1/2 cup balsamic vinaigrette, more to taste

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This Quick and Easy Quinoa Salad Recipe is the perfect summer salad. Cooked quinoa, mixed with fresh fruits and vegetables - tomatoes, mandarin oranges, cucumber, bell peppers, red onions, and then tossed with balsamic vinaigrette. It is fresh and light and can be ready in just 20 minutes.

a quinoa salad with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, mandarins, bell peppers and parsley.

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Ingredients in Quinoa Salad

Ingredient Notes

Quinoa: This easy quinoa salad calls for 1 cup of uncooked quinoa, which will yield 4 cups of cooked quinoa. Simply prepare the quinoa as per the directions on the package.
Cherry tomatoes: I love using cherry tomatoes in this recipe because they are sweet and juicy. You can also use grape tomatoes or Roma tomatoes. (Try this Pepperoni Caprese Pasta Salad)
Bell pepper: Feel free to use any color bell pepper you prefer. I like to use red, yellow or orange as they have a subtle sweetness to them.
Mandarins: You can use fresh or canned here. Just make sure that if you are using canned mandarins that you are getting a variety that does not have added sugar.
Cucumber: I like to use Persian or English cucumbers as they are crunchier and add a nice texture to this quinoa salad. (Try this Homemade Tzatziki Sauce)
Red onion: Red onions are milder than white onions and add just the right amount of bite to this easy quinoa salad recipe. You can also use shallot.
Parsley: I love the herbaceous nature that parsley adds to this salad. It is also excellent with fresh basil, dill, or chives. Better yet, add a tablespoon of each.
Vinaigrette: Any balsamic vinaigrette will do here. You can whip one up from scratch or use a store-bought dressing to make it easier.

How to make the Best Quinoa Salad

Step By Step Instructions

STEP 1: Prepare the quinoa as per the directions on the package. (I like to replace the water with chicken stock for added flavor.)

STEP 2: To a large mixing bowl, add the cooked quinoa, tomatoes, peppers, mandarins, cucumber, red onion, and parsley. Toss to combine.

STEP 3: Pour the vinaigrette over top before serving and toss again.

Recipe Tips and Variations

Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Add a protein: Make this easy quinoa salad a full meal deal by adding a protein like chicken, shrimp, prosciutto, salami, or salmon. (Try this Cantaloupe, Prosciutto and Mozzarella Salad)
Add cheese: This is also delicious with some crumbled feta, goat cheese, or fresh mozzarella cheese added.
Use stock: I like to replace the water with chicken stock when cooking the quinoa. It gives it an extra burst of flavor. For a vegetarian quinoa salad, you can use vegetable stock.
Add more fruit: This is also delicious with peaches, cantaloupe or honeydew melon added. (Try this Peach Burrata Salad)
Add corn: Have some leftover corn? Toss it in this salad! (Try this Grilled Corn Salad)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is quinoa gluten free?

Yes! Quinoa is naturally gluten free.

How do you cook quinoa?

Cooking quinoa is a 2:1 ratio. Two cups of liquid (water or stock) for every 1 cup of uncooked quinoa.

How much quinoa does 1 cup of uncooked quinoa make?

1 cup of uncooked quinoa will yield 4 cups of cooked quinoa.

More summer salad recipes

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Author: Kyndra Holley
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 10 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Ingredients

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1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
10 cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced
11 ounce can mandarin oranges
1 small cucumber, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
½ cup balsamic vinaigrette, more to taste

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Instructions

Prepare the quinoa as per the directions on the package. (I like to replace the water with chicken stock for added flavor.)
To a large mixing bowl, add the cooked quinoa, tomatoes, peppers, mandarins, cucumber, red onion, and parsley. Toss to combine.
Pour the vinaigrette over top before serving and toss again.

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
Add a protein: Make this easy quinoa salad a full meal deal by adding a protein like chicken, shrimp, prosciutto, salami, or salmon.
Add cheese: This is also delicious with some crumbled feta, goat cheese, or fresh mozzarella cheese added.
Use stock: I like to replace the water with chicken stock when cooking the quinoa. It gives it an extra burst of flavor. For a vegetarian quinoa salad, you can use vegetable stock.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Salad Recipes
Method: Boiling
Cuisine: American