Vegetable Quinoa Salad is a chilled quinoa salad loaded with fresh garden vegetables tossed in a tangy, white balsamic vinaigrette. The quinoa packs the protein while the fresh vegetables bring texture to this easy vegan salad. It makes a great party recipe or meal prep salad for the busy week, just like my crazy popular Asian Slaw Quinoa Salad!
Vegetable Quinoa Salad
How do produce hoarders make the most of farmer’s market hauls and grocery store trips that get...outta hand? They make GIANT salads that last all week, just like this quinoa salad. And by they, I mean me...and possibly you? Wink, wink.
This quinoa salad recipe calls for TONS of everyday, raw vegetables that are available anytime, but are especially delish during summer months!
A salad like this is simple, nutritious, and super budget-friendly, for both money and time.
The meal prep salad movement
Do you meal prep your lunches for the busy week? We do it on the regular and it always makes our busy week go smoother.
One GIANT salad for lunch 3-4 days of the week is nutritious, affordable, and makes you feel great!
This salad is perfect to meal prep, but you won't want to dress it until you're ready to eat it.
How to make quinoa salad with fresh vegetables
Step 1: Cook the quinoa and refrigerate it until ready to use.
Step 2: Wash and chop all the produce and assemble individual salads into meal prep containers.
Step 3: Make the vinaigrette, portion it into dressing containers, and pack one container into each salad.
I use these 8oz canning jars or these bpa-free plastic containers for the salad dressing.
Step 4: When you're ready to eat your salad, dress it...and devour!
How to keep quinoa salad fresh
Tip #1. Ingredients
Start with super fresh lettuce. Don't meal prep a bunch of salads using lettuce you bought 3 days ago. This might seem like a no-brainer, but trust me, the produce freshness clock ticks faster than you might think, especially with lettuce.
Leafy greens include things like arugula, spring mix, red or green leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, and kale, to name a few common greens.
Most greens, once dressed, need to be eaten immediately before they wilt, which makes them look and taste unpleasant.
Tip #2. Storage and refrigeration
Store salad components separate until you’re ready to serve the salad. So, for this quinoa salad recipe, store the arugula, quinoa, chopped vegetables, and vinaigrette in separate containers (or in separate piles in one container).
Tip #3. Serving
Don't dress the salad until it's time to eat. This is the rule for most salads, most of the time.
So, when you're ready to serve, simply toss everything together, dress it, and dish it up.
Vegetable Quinoa Salad Recipe
- uses everyday, raw vegetables packed with fiber and nutrients
- perfect summer salad to take to parties
- puts protein-packed quinoa to really good use
- naturally vegan and gluten-free
- save money by not buying pre-packaged salad entrees
- no guessing "what’s for lunch?" this week
My friend Dave, known for making big, fat, killer salads for every party, made a garden quinoa vegetable salad for a July 4th party this summer. It was such a hit and I could NOT stop eating it, so naturally, I created one for the blog. Thanks for the inspiration, Dave!
Vegetable Quinoa Salad Ingredients
For the salad:
- cooked quinoa
- carrot
- bell pepper
- cucumber
- arugula
- cherry tomatoes
- corn (fresh or frozen)
- pumpkin seeds (or any nuts)
For the white balsamic vinaigrette:
- white balsamic vinegar
- lemon juice
- fresh garlic
- maple syrup (or liquid sweetener of choice)
- salt and pepper
- extra virgin olive oil
What ingredients can I add to quinoa salad?
This quinoa salad recipe is more specific to summer, so any garden vegetables you would enjoy raw are perfect for this salad.
How long does quinoa last in the fridge?
Quinoa can last in the fridge about 5 days if store in airtight containers. However, once it has been tossed with any kind of dressing or sauce, it breaks down more quickly and can lack an appealing texture after a few days in the same storage environment.
Recommended tools
- chef knife
- cutting board
- salad spinner (to wash leafy produce)
- microplane fine grater (to grate garlic)
- whisk or fork
- measuring cups
- large bowl
- salad containers and salad dressing containers
More vegan salad recipes
The Vegan Veggie Sandwich Even Meat Eaters Love
Asian Quinoa Slaw Salad with Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette
Lemony Kale Chickpea Avocado Salad
Vegetable Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
For the quinoa
- 2 cups Water
- 1 cup dry Quinoa
- 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
For the chopped salad
- 1 medium Carrot, chopped
- 1/2 large Bell Pepper, chopped
- 1 medium Cucumber, chopped
- 2 cups Arugula
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup Corn
- 1/4 cup Raw Pepitas, (pumpkin seeds)
For the white balsamic vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup White Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice, optional
- 1 clove Garlic, finely grated
- 1 tsp Maple Syrup, or liquid sweetener of choice
- 1/8 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Recipe Instructions
For the quinoa
- Cook quinoa according to package instructions.
- Allow to cool completely, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
For the quinoa salad
- In a large salad bowl, combine QUINOA, CARROTS, BELL PEPPERS, CUCUMBER, ARUGULA, TOMATOES, CORN, and PUMPKIN SEEDS; toss to combine; refrigerate until ready to serve.
For the white balsamic vinaigrette
- In a mixing bowl or glass, whisk together VINEGAR, LEMON JUICE, GARLIC, MAPLE SYRUP, SALT, and PEPPER.
- Slowly drizzle in EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, continuously whisking to emulsify into creamy dressing; refrigerate until ready to serve.
Storage Tip
- Keep components separate (quinoa, leafy greens, vegetables, dressing) until ready to serve.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
This Vegetable Quinoa Salad is served cold, but a quinoa salad will cooked vegetables could be served warm or cold.
Quinoa is thought to be a healthier choice than rice because it offers more protein, fewer carbohydrates, and fewer calories than rice.
This quinoa salad recipe is more specific to summer, so any garden vegetables you would enjoy raw are perfect for this salad.
Quinoa can last in the fridge about 5 days if store in airtight containers. However, once it has been tossed with any kind of dressing or sauce, it breaks down more quickly and can lack an appealing texture after a few days in the same storage environment.
Actually, in most circumstances...yes! Quinoa is a wonderful substitute for couscous. The texture is so similar that it's hard to notice a difference. Also, quinoa offers more protein per serving than couscous.
Kelly says
Hi. I am going to make your recipe this evening, but I don’t see the measurement for the lemon juice. How much should I add to the vinaigrette?
Thanks!
Hi Kelly, good catch! I just fixed the recipe. The lemon juice is optional, but recommended 😉 Thanks so much...enjoy!
Dannii says
Quinoa is a great way to bulk out a salad in a healthy way. Loving all the colours going on here.
Thanks Dannii...I'm such a fan of quinoa! 🙂
Cindy Gordon says
First it was words "meal prep" that caught my eye, then quinoa! This is a winning recipe for me! YUM
Thanks Cindy! I feel the same way about it 🙂
Lisa Bryan says
I love to meal prep salads for the week - so much easier! Will have to give this recipe a try as it sounds delicious!
Thanks Lisa...hope you love it like I do!
Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen says
This looks so fresh and yummy Traci! Pinned!
Thanks so much Lindsay...it's one of my fav salads, for sure!
Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites says
I love this recipe! I have a small addiction to quinoa and am always looking for new ways to use it! This salad is a great way!
Thanks Lauren...I'm right there with you on that addiction LOL.
Sandy @ Ginger and Scotch says
Such a great idea for a healthy meal and I love your tips for keeping the salad fresh for a few days.
Thanks Sandy...glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
Jenni LeBaron says
This looks fabulous. I love all of the bright color and crunch! This would make a great packable lunch for me to take to work!
Thanks Jenni...that's exactly what I had in mind for this salad 🙂
Jessica Robinson says
Loving the colors and flavors with this salad. Also love that you added a little crunch with pumpkin seeds! Definitely will be trying this yummy salad for summer gatherings!
Thanks so much Jessica! Yep, I add pumpkin seeds to so many things...love those things 🙂
Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
I love having healthy meals prepped and ready. This chopped salad looks fabulous! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Allison!...Hope you can give it a go sometime 🙂
Tina says
I should do more lunch meal prep, this is inspiring. It's so easy, just takes some planning. Lovely salad!
Thank you 🙂 Yep, this is one of my easier meal prep days when I make this! Hope to inspire you to do it.
Sandi says
This is a fabulous salad recipe. I would even love this for a light lunch!
Thanks Sandi! Yep, that's exactly what I make it for...meal prep lunches. Love having these done on a Sunday to start the week!
rikA says
Looks so healthy and delicious! I love quinoa but don't really make them often at home.
Thank you! I don't make quinoa often enough...so many things to make, so little time 🙂
Luci's Morsels says
I love a good quinoa veggie salad and this looks like it wouldn't disappoint! Yummy!
Thanks! Yeah, it does not disappoint at all. In fact, I miss it when I haven't made it in a while 🙂
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
Mmmm. That quinoa salad looks so delicious! I love how loaded it is. Loaded with flavor and delicious ingredients. I don't meal prep for myself but I do make hubby's lunch on the weekend so he has what he likes during the week!!
Thank you! Yeah I make this on the weekend for our weekly lunches...it's part of the rotation anyway.