5 Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes - The Girl on Bloor (2024)

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By Taylor Stinson | 38 Comments | Posted: | Updated:

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These 5 Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes are perfect for meal prep! They're a great make-ahead vegetarian lunch option.

5 Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes - The Girl on Bloor (1)

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Ingredients and substitutions

  • Quinoa – use white, black or red quinoa.
  • Water – you could also try cooking the quinoa in chicken or vegetable broth for added flavour.
  • Salt – to taste.
  • Toppings – try out different variations and add-ins like veggies, protein, cheese and seasonings.
5 Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes - The Girl on Bloor (3)

How to make quinoa salad

5 Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes - The Girl on Bloor (4)

Step 1: Add quinoa and water to a pot.

Step 2: Cook the quinoa.

Bring the quinoa to a boil and simmer, stirring occasionally.

5 Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes - The Girl on Bloor (5)

Step 3: Stir the cooked quinoa.

Remove from the heat and give it a good stir.

Step 4: Let it cool.

Transfer to a large bowl and let it cool for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.

5 Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes - The Girl on Bloor (6)

Step 5: Add in your chosen salad ingredients.

Prepare the toppings of your choice, mix them into the quinoa and toss to combine well.

Step 6: Serve or store for later!

5 Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes - The Girl on Bloor (7)

Quinoa salad recipe tips

Here are some of my top tips for making the best quinoa salad:

  • Cook the quinoa ahead of time: You can make the quinoa 2 days before prepping your salads. This actually makes the salad prep easier, because you don't have to wait for the quinoa to cool down. You can even cook it then freeze it for up to 3 months.
  • Rinse the quinoa: This is optional, but it does help rinse away any extra coating that may be on the quinoa.
  • Ingredient prep: Cut down on prep time by chopping up any ingredients in advance. Learn how to ingredient prep.
  • Store the salads in mason jars: You can store your salads in glass containers or even mason jars! These are the mason jars I like to use.
  • Try out different toppings: These quinoa salad recipes are totally customizable. Feel free to try out different toppings, add-ins and salad dressings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should you serve quinoa salad with?

These quinoa salad recipe ideas are fantastic for lunch or a veggie-packed side dish for dinner. Pair them with burgers, steak or chicken breasts to make a complete meal.

Do you serve it hot or cold?

These quinoa salad recipes are all served cold, so you don't need to worry about reheating your salad. If the quinoa is hot, the rest of the ingredients will get all soggy.

Do you need to rinse the quinoa first?

This is an optional step but I do recommend it. Quinoa has a natural coating that rinsing will wash away. Some people think it tastes bitter or soapy without rinsing while others might say it just has an earthy flavor. Most boxed quinoa is pre-rinsed, so you can rinse it again to be sure, but only if you want to. Just put it in a fine mesh strainer and run cold water over it for a minute or two.

Can you use a different dressing?

You can definitely customize these quinoa salad recipes by making them with different healthy salad dressings.

Can you make the quinoa ahead of time?

Yes! You can cut down on prep time by cooking the quinoa in advance. Make it in a rice cooker or in a pot on the stovetop up to 2 days in advance, or cook and freeze it for up to 3 months.

5 Different Quinoa Salad Variations

The following quinoa salad recipes will give you a place to start with experimenting with combinations. Feel free to mix and match with different ingredient and flavour combinations.

  • Southwest quinoa salad
  • Caprese quinoa salad
  • Curried quinoa salad
  • Green goddess quinoa salad
  • Mediterranean quinoa salad
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Storing quinoa salad

Quinoa salad is an easy lunch to prepare in advance. It is normally eaten cold so it’s a great option if your office doesn’t have a microwave. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about wilted or soggy lettuce! Store your salad in the fridge in glass meal prep containers for up to 5 days then eat it cold.

Can you freeze quinoa salad?

You can freeze quinoa on its own, but not the entire assembled quinoa salad. Freezing cooked quinoa is a great way to prep ahead – that way, it’s easy to make a salad with quinoa whenever you want.

After the quinoa cooked, allow it to cool completely. Then, transfer it into freezer storage bags or meal prep containers and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use it, let it thaw in the fridge for 24 hours then use it to make a fresh salad or any recipe of your choice.

5 Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes - The Girl on Bloor (9)
5 Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes - The Girl on Bloor (10)

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5 Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes

These 5 Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes are perfect for meal prep! They're a great make-ahead vegetarian lunch option.

4.92 from 49 votes

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Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 259kcal

Author: Taylor Stinson

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cooling time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Southwest quinoa salad

  • 1 cup black beans
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
  • 2 tsp chili powder

Mediterranean (Greek) quinoa salad

  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup sliced kalamata olives
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tsp oregano

Curried quinoa salad

  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, diced
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 tbsp curry powder
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Caprese quinoa salad

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
  • 1 cup bocconcini pearls, sliced in half
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Green goddess quinoa salad

  • 1/2 cup edamame
  • 1/2 cup broccoli finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup cucumber
  • 1/2 cup basil leaves
  • 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 cup parsley, chopped
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

  • Add quinoa and water to a large pot on the stove. Bring to a boil over high heat, then decrease to med-low heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  • Remove from heat, stirring quinoa once more. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.

  • While quinoa is cooling (you can also do this while it's cooking), prepare the toppings of choice for whichever salad you are going to make (choose from one of the headings). Once quinoa has cooled slightly, mix in toppings and toss to combine well. Serve and enjoy!

  • Quinoa salad is typically eaten cold and will last in the fridge up to 5 days. Cooked quinoa without toppings will last in the freezer up to 3 months. If freezing, defrost in the fridge for 24 hours before tossing with toppings and serving.

Video

Notes

Cook the quinoa up to 2 days in advance for easy prep.

Try different ingredients like chickpeas, spinach, kale, avocado and feta.

Make sure to rinse the quinoa before cooking to rinse away the natural coating.

Store your quinoa salad in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Freeze cooked quinoa for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge for 24 hours then se it to make a fresh salad.

Nutrition

Calories: 259kcal (13%)Carbohydrates: 47g (16%)Protein: 11g (22%)Fat: 3g (5%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Sodium: 301mg (13%)Potassium: 539mg (15%)Fiber: 8g (33%)Sugar: 3g (3%)Vitamin A: 1033IU (21%)Vitamin C: 40mg (48%)Calcium: 35mg (4%)Iron: 3mg (17%)

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Created by Taylor Stinson

Hey there, my name's Taylor! I’m the founder of The Girl on Bloor, a food blog where I share healthy meal prep recipes for busy people. I'm a busy city girl living in downtown Toronto on (you guessed it!) Bloor Street. I've got 10 years experience meal prepping, along with a Master's degree in journalism, and you can find my work across the internet featured on publications such as Buzzfeed, HuffPost, Women's Health, Reader's Digest and more. I also run the awesome 5-Day Meal Prep Challenge, which is a free email course and Facebook group where I share my meal planning strategies and easy meal prep tips and recipes. Be sure to check out my free beginner’s guide to meal prep and follow me on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to get my latest recipes and meal prep tips!

Reader Interactions

Share With Me!

Did you make this recipe or want to share your thoughts? Make sure to leave your review below and tag me on Instagram #thegirlonbloor so I can check it out!

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    Comments & Reviews

  1. J says

    5 Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes - The Girl on Bloor (15)
    I made the Caprese quinoa salad. Loved it! My 10-year-old loved it as well. It was much easier to make than I expected. We’re looking forward to trying the others. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Taylor Stinson says

      I’m so happy you both enjoyed!

      Reply

  2. Christa C says

    Amazing ! Can’t wait to try them. Just wondering why you don’t have any oil in these recipes I think ahealthy fats are good 🙂🙂

    Reply

    • Taylor Stinson says

      I don’t find they’re needed but you’re welcome to add some!

      Reply

  3. Michelle says

    The nutrition facts are the same for each recipe?

    Reply

    • Taylor Stinson says

      They vary slightly for each but will be around the same because they’re all vegetarian and don’t contain any oil. The nutritional info you see should be for the Southwest version but if you need very specific macros, I suggest using something like Myfitnesspal to calculate the different ones.

      Reply

  4. Belle says

    Is the Green Goddess salad supposed to have broccoli in it as well? It looks like it in the picture but it’s not listed. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Taylor Stinson says

      Yes it is supposed to have it, thank you for catching that! It’s been updated 🙂

      Reply

  5. Roxanne says

    Is one cup of quinoa for each salad? if I wanted to make more that one salad at a time how much quinoa to cook?

    Reply

    • Taylor Stinson says

      It would be 1 cup of quinoa per salad. So if you wanted to make 2 salads, use 2 cups.

      Reply

  6. Danielle says

    Are the ingredients listed for one serving of
    quinoa? If we want to bulk prep one flavour in 4 bowls am I adding all the ingredients x 4 in one serving of quinoa?

    Reply

    • Taylor Stinson says

      They’re listed for 4 servings.

      Reply

  7. Ronda says

    Are all five salads 259 calories? Also how much is one serving?

    Reply

    • Taylor Stinson says

      No it is 259 calories per salad. I don’t provide servings by weight/cup unfortunately. You will need to take the number of servings listed and divide into portions. Each portion is a serving.

      Reply

  8. Linda says

    5 Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes - The Girl on Bloor (16)
    I made the Mediterranean salad version & added some feta & red peppers. I was very skeptical about just dressing it with lemon juice but it’s really really good.

    Reply

    • Taylor Stinson says

      I’m so glad you enjoyed!

      Reply

  9. GigiCT says

    Thank you for these recipes. A friend gave me a Costco-sized bag of quinoa, so I am looking for different ways to use it up!

    Reply

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5 Quick & Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes - The Girl on Bloor (2024)

FAQs

How long will quinoa salad last in the fridge? ›

Make ahead: The salad can be made up to 1 day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Can you freeze a quinoa salad? ›

In conclusion, yes, you can freeze quinoa salad. Freezing allows you to extend its shelf life and enjoy the convenience of a ready-to-eat meal whenever you desire.

How to make quinoa palatable? ›

Easy ways to flavor quinoa: Broth: first and foremost, change up the liquid that you're using to cook your quinoa. Rather than using water, try to change it up for broth (veggie, chicken, beef, mushroom, etc). You can also use coconut milk if you're wanting something a little more creamy/tropical.

What can I add to quinoa to make it taste good? ›

Serving suggestions: I love to stir a drizzle of olive oil and clove of garlic into warm quinoa for extra flavor. Other options include chopped fresh spinach or arugula, or massaged kale. Fresh herbs and/or dried spices are nice, as well as grated or crumbled cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, pitted and sliced olives, etc.

Is it okay to eat quinoa salad everyday? ›

You can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day. You should avoid eating it if you experience stomachache, itchiness or vomiting after consuming it. A study by Harvard Public School of Health has reported that eating a bowl of quinoa daily is healthy and without any side effects.

Why is my quinoa salad mushy? ›

Some recipes call for as high as a 2:1 water to grain ratio, while others go as low as 1 1/2:1. In my experience, the sweet spot for light, fluffy quinoa is right in the middle. I use 1 3/4 cups water for every cup of quinoa. Any more water, and the quinoa gets mushy.

What is the healthiest way to eat quinoa? ›

Toss it in salads.

Quinoa is a complete source of protein and makes a great addition to a healthy salad. The combination of fiber, protein and healthy fats can turn a light side salad into a robust entrée.

Why is quinoa salad good for you? ›

The fiber in quinoa can also help with cholesterol and blood sugar levels, lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Quinoa is rich in antioxidants, which can prevent damage to your heart and other organs. A diet high in antioxidants has been linked with a decreased risk of heart disease.

Can dogs eat quinoa? ›

But, can dogs eat quinoa? The answer is generally yes. The edible seed is actually an ingredient in some high-quality dry dog foods. Its strong nutritional profile makes it a healthy alternative to corn, grains like wheat, and soy—all starches that are often used to make kibble.

Can I eat quinoa cold? ›

The quick-cooking grain is delicious cold in a salad, served warm as a side dish, or combined with vegetables and dairy to make a spectacular and filling main course. Read on for even more of our favorite quinoa recipes, from quinoa pancakes to crispy quinoa sliders.

Is cold quinoa safe? ›

Quinoa can be used for everything from a complete hot dish to a quick cold recipe! As a pioneer of the sacred seed, Priméal reveals all the grain's secrets for a healthier diet.

What happens if you don't soak quinoa? ›

Do you need to soak quinoa before cooking it? In short, no, you don't need to soak quinoa. However, doing so is said to remove phytic acid, which may make it easier for people to digest quinoa. If you just want to remove the bitter flavor from quinoa, rinse it under cold water for about a minute.

How do you know when quinoa is done? ›

The quinoa is done cooking when the water has been absorbed and the germ has separated from the seed. Remove from the heat, remove the lid and allow to cool for 5 minutes.

Can I eat quinoa after 5 days? ›

A rival to rice or barley, quinoa can be cooked in batches as your carb of choice for the week. This way, you can store the cooked quinoa in the fridge for up to five days. Once it's cooled down, put it in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator, ensuring the tub is well sealed.

Can you eat quinoa after 7 days? ›

How long does cooked quinoa last in the fridge? With proper storage, the shelf life of quinoa is 5 days in the refrigerator. Always check it when you remove it from the refrigerator and if there are any off smells or visible signs of mold or a milk liquid present, you should discard it.

Can I eat 4 day old quinoa? ›

Cooked Quinoa in the Refrigerator

Cooked quinoa, if stored in an airtight container, can last for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. But, it is recommended to consume quinoa before 4 days to not lose the quality.

How do I know if my quinoa is spoiled? ›

Signs of spoilage include an off smell, discolored grains, or a slimy texture. Consuming rancid quinoa, which contains oxidized fats, can result in gastrointestinal discomfort and other health issues. Contaminants: Quinoa that hasn't been stored properly may also contain contaminants.

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