Description

Powerhouse Quinoa Salad – This healthy quinoa salad is PACKED with superfood nutrients and flavor. It’s the perfect healthy meal prep lunch! (Gluten-free + vegan)

Ingredients

Scale

For The Powerhouse Quinoa Salad:

3 cups cooked, cooled quinoa (Made from 1 cup dry quinoa + 2 cups water)*
1 small green apple, cored and diced
1 small Honeycrisp apple (or another red apple), cored and diced
1–2 cups loosely packed spinach leaves, torn or roughly chopped
2–3 stalks celery, sliced
1/2 cup dried cranberries or dried cherries
1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, chopped
Optional: feta or cotija cheese to sprinkle

For The Balsamic Dressing:

4 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 Tbsp dijon mustard
2 Tbsp pure maple syrup (can sub honey if not vegan)
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

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Instructions

In a large bowl, combine cooked and cooled quinoa, apples, celery, spinach leaves, cranberries, walnuts, (and cheese, if using).
In a small bowl, whisk together mustard, honey, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. (Dressing will keep 1 week in the refrigerator.)
Add half of the dressing to the salad and stir to combine.
Taste and add additional dressing, as desired.

Notes

How To Prepare the Quinoa. Rinse quinoa in a fine mesh sieve. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water to a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil 5 minutes. Turn off heat and let steam 15 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed. Let cool.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish, Vegetarian
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American