Easy Quinoa Salad
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Published Apr 05, 2021, Updated Nov 16, 2022
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Sharing my go-to quinoa salad recipe with a simple lemon dressing, as well, a variety of quinoa salad recipes to try!
Since discovering how to make quinoa ages ago I have been hooked on making quinoa salads. I’ve made so many over the years that I’ve built up quite the collection, but I still have a favorite that I’ll always make time and time again.
That’s the recipe I’m sharing today.
Quinoa is so easy to prepare, incredibly versatile, high in protein and fiber and can be served for just about any meal! I love using it for a variety of recipes, but where quinoa really shines is in salads!
While this salad is my go-to, I have a ton more including Greek Quinoa Salad, Roasted Broccoli Quinoa Salad and Southwestern Quinoa Salad.
Cooking Quinoa for Salad
When it comes to cooking quinoa to use for salad, it’s basically the same process as normal, but I like to make my quinoa a day in advance, let it cool and chill it in the fridge overnight and then use it for the salad the next day.
Prepping it in advance is just so the quinoa doesn’t heat up the other salad ingredients. Of course it’s fine to cook it the same day and just let it cool a bit before using. I do this all the time when I’m in a rush!
Ingredients Needed:
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious (and super easy) quinoa salad:
- baby spinach – baby spinach has a mild flavor and texture that works perfectly in this quinoa salad. I like thinly slicing it or shredded it so the pieces are bite-size and easy to eat.
- cherry tomatoes – these little guys add such great flavor to the salad.
- red onion – the perfect way to add a bit of flavor and crunch. You can use yellow onion if needed.
- lemon juice, olive oil, sea salt and pepper – instead of an elaborate dressing, we’re using these four items to add a light and refreshing flavor to the salad.
Want to add more protein to this salad? Each serving of this salad already has 8 grams of protein, but you could always add more by tossing in about 1/2 cup of chickpeas or white beans or adding in some chopped grilled chicken.
What to Serve with Quinoa Salad
Honestly, this salad pairs well with just about anything! It’s my go-to side for cookouts and potlucks and I always get asked for the recipe. Here are some pairing ideas:
- Apple Cider Vinegar Chicken – my go-to grilled chicken recipe!
- Grilled Curry Chicken – looking for a little extra flavor? Try this curry chicken recipe.
- Blackened Salmon – the creamy and refreshing quinoa salad is the perfect way to balance out the spice from the salmon.
- The Best Tempeh Veggie Burger – make these delicious vegan burgers as your main and serve this salad alongside it!
- Baked Falafel – because this quinoa salad reminds me of tabbouleh and has Mediterranean vibes, I think it would be delicious paired with homemade falafel and creamy hummus.
How to Store Quinoa Salad
This salad stores super well!
To make it in advance: I would recommend leaving the avocado out and adding that in right before serving. The rest of the salad can be fully assembled and stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
To store leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
More Quinoa Recipes to Try:
- Quinoa Tabbouleh
- Quinoa Fried “Rice” with Shrimp
- Slow Cooker Cheesy Mexican Quinoa Casserole
- Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
- Cheesy Broccoli Quinoa Casserole
- Grilled Chicken and Quinoa Meal Prep Bowls
- Jennifer Aniston Salad
The Most Popular Salad Recipes:
- Fattoush Salad
- Easy Spinach Salad
- Classic Broccoli Salad
- Greek Salad
- Chicken Waldorf Salad
- Massaged Kale Salad
- Healthy Potato Salad
Easy Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- ½ cup uncooked quinoa
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup chopped baby spinach
- ½ cup chopped cherry tomatoes
- ⅓ cup diced red onion
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 ripe avocados, chopped or sliced
- ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Cook quinoa: Rinse and drain quinoa. Add quinoa and water to a saucepan and bring the water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Toss: In a medium bowl, stir together cooked quinoa, chopped spinach, tomatoes, red onion and feta.
- Whisk dressing: In a small bowl whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Add dressing and avocado: Gently stir in dressing and avocado chunks.
- Chill and enjoy: Serve immediately or let the salad chill in the fridge a couple hours before serving. If chilling, you can add the avocado right before serving to prevent browning.
- Store: Store salad in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge.
Video
Notes
- Want to add more protein to this salad? Toss in about 1/2 cup of cooked chickpeas or white beans or add in some chopped grilled chicken.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photos by Ashley McLaughlin.
My family has always been avoiding quinoa until this salad recipe came along.
Thank you Brittany!
YAY! I am so happy that you and your family are enjoying this recipe, Ruchira. Thank you for your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
What do you think about adding a chopped boiled egg to the salad? This looks amazing, and I really love some egg in my salad.
Hi Nicole – I have not personally tried boiled eggs in this salad but it would be a great addition of protein and I am sure would be delicious. If you give it a try, I’d love to know how it works out for yoU! Enjoy!
How do I make quinoa without clumps, like in your picture? I prefer the grains to be separate. Thanks.
Hi Catherine – How are you cooking your quinoa? I always recommend rinsing and draining the quinoa then adding the quinoa and water to a saucepan and bring the water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork (this is key to breaking up the quinoa so you don’t have clumps) and let cool for 5-10 minutes. If you give this method a try, let me know how it works for you!
I have made/shared this recipe several times since I found it!
I was looking for a salad dressing recipe today and found your blog again and figured I would give cred to this recipe as it is one I reuse often! 100%!
Aw yay! I am so happy to hear that this recipe is a hit! Thank you so much for your review + star rating, I really appreciate it.
We made this recipe to go with our favorite chicken dish. It was perfect but we loved the dressing so much we made extra.
WOO! I am so excited to hear that this recipe was a hit, Scentsy! Thank you for coming back to leave your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
I was surprised how filling this salad is and how good it taste! I’ll be making this again and again.
Ah yay! I am happy to hear that you are loving this recipe, Cindy. Thank you so much for your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
I just made this salad last night. I had some leftover quinoa which I usually just eat with chicken, but I wanted to try something different. It was pretty delicious. My husband and I loved it. I would definitely make it again.
I am so happy to hear that you and you husband are loving this recipe, Marilyn. Thank you so much for sharing your review & star rating, I so appreciate it!
Delicious and simple. Caught short so instead of Quinoa used black rice (cooked in a rice cooker). Also substituted Cos lettuce leaves (chopped) for spinach.
Thank you for this wonderful recipe.
Of course! I am so glad you enjoyed this salad and it turned out great for you, Frances! Thank you so much for your review + star rating, I appreciate it!
Great recipe. Such a good flavor and love that it’s healthy with lots of protein! 😉
WOO! I am so glad you are loving this salad and it turned out great for you, Sarah. Thank you for your review & star rating, it means so much to me!