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    Home » Recipes » Salad Recipes

    Published: Jul 12, 2022 · Last Updated: Jul 12, 2022 by Kyndra Holley

    Easy Quinoa Salad

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    a quinoa salad with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, mandarins, bell peppers and parsley.
    a quinoa salad with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, mandarins, bell peppers and parsley.
    a quinoa salad with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, mandarins, bell peppers and parsley.
    a quinoa salad with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, mandarins, bell peppers and parsley.
    a quinoa salad with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, mandarins, bell peppers and parsley.

    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.
    Table of Contents show
    Ingredients in Quinoa Salad
    Ingredient Notes
    How to make the Best Quinoa Salad
    Step By Step Instructions
    Recipe Tips and Variations
    Frequently Asked Questions
    More summer salad recipes
    Easy Quinoa Salad

    Ingredients in Quinoa Salad

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

    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

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

    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. 

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

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

    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

    • clear mixing bowl filled with grilled corn salsa, served with chips, guacamole and limes
      Grilled Corn Salsa
    • baking tray full of fresh cooked homemade croutons
      Garlic Parmesan Croutons
    • white bowl with pasta salad made of cavatappi, pepperoni, basil, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella
      Pepperoni Caprese Pasta Salad
    • a white plate piled high with a fresh summer salad of prosciutto, peaches, melon, walnuts, and arugula
      Prosciutto, Peach and Melon Salad

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

    Easy Quinoa Salad


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

    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. 


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 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

    Instructions

    1. Prepare the quinoa as per the directions on the package. (I like to replace the water with chicken stock for added flavor.)
    2. To a large mixing bowl, add the cooked quinoa, tomatoes, peppers, mandarins, cucumber, red onion, and parsley. Toss to combine. 
    3. 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

    Keywords: easy quinoa salad, quinoa tabbouleh recipe, how do you cook quinoa?

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    Kyndra Holley - International Best Selling Cookbook Author, and the face behind this blog and Peace Love and Low Carb. When I am not hard at work creating recipes and healthy living content, I can be found exploring the world, playing with our 5 crazy pups, hiking, or just kicking back and relaxing with a cup of coffee and a good book.

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