Fresh Vegetable Quinoa Salad

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This refreshing quinoa salad has simple, fresh vegetables, chickpeas, quinoa, and balsamic dressing. It's nutrient-packed and travel-friendly for the best lunch any day of the week!

Why you'll love this recipe

The BEST quinoa salad uses simple pantry ingredients and easily accessible produce from your local grocery store or, during summer, your garden. This budget-friendly, 20-minute wonder triumphs over packaged salads in flavor, texture, nutrition, and cost. No culinary expertise is required!

Whether planning a week of healthy lunches or contributing to the summer picnic, this quinoa salad is your go-to. It accommodates various dietary restrictions and can be made a few days in advance, making it ideal for stress-free meal prep.

If you already love everyone's favorite Greek chickpea salad and this mouthwatering kale salad recipe, you're in the right place with vegetable quinoa salad!

Ingredient notes

For the salad

• Quinoa - Cook quinoa from scratch using the stove method or make Instant Pot quinoa.
• Chickpeas - Use canned chickpeas for ultra convenience, or make Instant Pot chickpeas for a budget-friendly option.
• Carrots - Use baby carrots or whole carrots.
• Bell pepper - Use any combination of red, green, orange, or yellow bell peppers.
• Cucumber - Any cucumber variety works for this recipe.
• Sweet corn - Use fresh or frozen corn (if thawed).
• Red cabbage - Green cabbage is just as tasty!
• Cherry tomatoes - Any tomato variety can be used for this recipe.
• Red onion - White, yellow, or green onions can be used too.
• Parsley - Any fresh herbs like dill, basil, or oregano are delicious in this recipe.

For the dressing

• Vinegar - Use any vinegar variety for the salad dressing.
• Dijon - Or other mustard variety.
• Maple syrup - Or honey, agave syrup, or date syrup.
• Extra virgin olive oil - Or avocado oil.
• Salt and pepper - Add to taste.

How to make quinoa veggie salad

At any point during this recipe, you can cover and refrigerate any components (quinoa, beans, vegetables, or dressing) until ready to serve.

First, cook quinoa using the stove method (instructions below) or make Instant Pot quinoa. Cool quinoa to room temperature.

Prepare salad ingredients (chop, shred, etc) and place in a bowl. At this point, you can add this recipe to your Buddha bowl collection because it certainly resembles one.

Make the dressing by combining vinegar, maple syrup, and Dijon. Whisk in olive oil until the dressing becomes creamy. Season with SALT and PEPPER.

Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.

Serve and devour!

Recipe tips

• Select fresh, crisp vegetables for the best flavor, nutrients, and visual appeal.
• When cooking quinoa for this salad, ensure that it cools completely before adding it to the salad.
• When making ahead, wait to dress the salad just before serving to ensure optimal freshness.
• If the salad has lost some crispness, you can freshen it up by adding extra fresh vegetables just before serving.
• Adjust the ingredients and quantities based on your personal preferences. Feel free to add or omit ingredients to suit your taste. Visit the recipe variations section for ingredient swap suggestions.

Recipe variations

• Toss in some fresh leafy greens like spinach, arugula, or kale for added nutrients and a pop of color. Once dressed, enjoy the salad on the same day.
• Sprinkle in nuts (like almonds or walnuts) or seeds (such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds) for crunch and extra nutrients.
• Be mindful of the texture. Don't overcook the quinoa, and keep the vegetables slightly crisp for a satisfying crunch.
• Top the salad with feta cheese, crumbled goat cheese, or Parmesan for extra richness and flavor.
• Fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or mint can enhance the flavor and freshness of the salad.
• Use any combination of vegetables. There are no rules, so add your favorites! You can even use roasted vegetables in place of fresh veggies.

To meal prep this recipe, prepare the salad components but don't add dressing yet. Instead, portion the salad and dressing separately into containers and refrigerate. To serve, add dressing, toss to combine, and devour!

Try these other quinoa recipes

• Asian Slaw with Quinoa
• Zucchini Quinoa Fritters
• Black Bean and Sweet Potato Quinoa Chili

📖 Recipe