The ultimate Quinoa Salad recipe for a quick and healthy lunch. This vibrant dish is packed with fresh ingredients and a zesty dressing, making it a go-to for meal prep or a light meal. This Quinoa Salad is incredibly versatile and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and proteins. It’s the perfect way to ensure you have a nutritious and satisfying meal ready to go.

Time: 25 min
👥 Servings: 4-6
📊 Level: Easy
🥗 10 ingredients
Ultimate Quinoa Salad Powerhouse! Quinoa salad: Make this easy and healthy recipe in under 30 minutes. Packed with fresh greens and a zesty dressing, it's perfe

Ultimate Quinoa Salad Powerhouse!

The ultimate Quinoa Salad recipe for a quick and healthy lunch. This vibrant dish is packed with fresh ingredients and a zesty dressing, making it a go-to for meal prep or a light meal. This Quinoa Salad is incredibly versatile and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and proteins. It’s the perfect way to ensure you have a nutritious and satisfying meal ready to go.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup dry quinoa (rinsed)
  • 1 3/4 cup water
  • pinch salt
  • 1/3 cup chopped basil leaves
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup buttermilk
  • 2 teaspoons lime juice
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 cups baby kale & spinach (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries

Method
 

  1. Cook Quinoa: Rinse quinoa thoroughly in a fine-mesh strainer. Bring water to a boil, add rinsed quinoa and a pinch of salt. Return to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool slightly.
  2. Make Dressing: Combine mayonnaise, buttermilk, lime juice, and a pinch of pepper in a blender. Blend until smooth for 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Combine: In a large bowl, gently toss the slightly cooled quinoa with the chopped basil, baby kale and spinach mix, and dried cherries.
  4. Dress & Serve: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently to coat everything evenly. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
  5. Enjoy: Serve this delicious Quinoa Salad immediately for a fresh and satisfying meal.
  6. Store Leftovers: Keep any remaining salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

– For best results, let the cooked quinoa cool slightly before mixing with other ingredients to prevent wilting the greens.
– Feel free to add other vegetables like diced bell peppers, cucumbers, or red onion for extra crunch and flavor.
– This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it perfect for meal prepping.
Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.

Pro tips

  • For best results, let the cooked quinoa cool slightly before mixing with other ingredients to prevent wilting the greens.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables like diced bell peppers, cucumbers, or red onion for extra crunch and flavor.
  • This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it perfect for meal prepping.

Enjoy this versatile and delicious Quinoa Salad as a healthy staple in your weekly meal rotation.

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