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 - The Girl on Bloor (14)

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 48 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

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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.

What can I add to plain quinoa? ›

If you're serving it as a simple side, season it first. At the very least, toss it with salt, pepper, lemon or lime juice, and a drizzle of olive oil. To kick it up another notch, stir in chopped herbs, minced garlic, toasted nuts, or crumbled feta cheese, or use it in one of the quinoa recipes below!

What is best to eat with quinoa? ›

Quinoa's got the carbs covered, so you'll likely want to add some additional protein (eggs, lentils, beans, tofu, chicken), a fat (olive oil, nuts, butter, cheese), and, ideally, some kind of fruit or vegetable (broccoli, berries, squash, spinach).

Is quinoa salad good for cholesterol? ›

Quinoa is an excellent source of dietary fiber, which plays a significant role in managing cholesterol levels. Foods high in fiber, like quinoa, bind to bad cholesterol in your small intestine and reduce its absorption into the bloodstream. It's then moved into the colon for elimination.

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.

What to add to quinoa to make it better? ›

13 Ways To Add More Flavor To Quinoa
  1. Cook it in broth instead of water. ...
  2. Dress it with a vinaigrette. ...
  3. Mix cooked quinoa with caramelized onions. ...
  4. Infuse it with dried fruit and fruit scraps. ...
  5. Add oil and salt to cooked quinoa. ...
  6. Toast uncooked quinoa. ...
  7. Don't skimp on the garlic. ...
  8. Season your water with spices.
Jul 21, 2023

How to flavor up quinoa? ›

I find that some of the best seasonings for quinoa are cumin, dried bay leaf, turmeric, and salt, and black pepper. I also love to flavor it with fresh garlic and herbs such as parsley, dill, and cilantro. You can add the seasonings of your choice into the pot at the same time with the liquid and cook it as directed.

Is quinoa healthier than rice? ›

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice. A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

Does quinoa burn belly fat? ›

It is very healthy due to its plant chemical contents that cause the secretion of appetite-suppressing hormones that curb your appetite. 25. Quinoa: High in protein, quinoa keeps you full with its high levels of plant-based proteins. It decreases your appetite and promotes belly fat decrease.

What does quinoa do for your stomach? ›

Quinoa is a great source of fiber. Fiber can prevent or treat constipation and may lower your risk of intestinal cancers. It also helps you feel full longer, so it may help with weight loss.

Is quinoa a protein or carb? ›

Quinoa is considered a carbohydrate because it contains many carbs per serving. Although it contains some protein, the macronutrient distribution is closer to what you find in other grains and starches.

How to eat quinoa for weight loss? ›

To consume quinoa for weight loss, you can cook it into a sweet breakfast porridge with chia seeds, milk and fruit on top. Quinoa can also be popped like popcorn in a pan. Add some seasoning and enjoy it as a snack, or make your own granola or chiwda using popped quinoa.

Is quinoa anti-inflammatory? ›

With its mild nutty flavor, this edible seed packs a powerful nutrition punch, containing anywhere from 17-27 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein per cup cooked. Quinoa is also considered to be a whole grain, gluten free and contains anti-inflammatory properties.

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 quinoa after 5 days? ›

I'm now starting to eat healthy, and plan to replace white rice with Quinoa. I saw from Google that you can store cooked quinoa in the fridge for 5-7 days in an airtight container. And if not airtight, bacteria may form and the food may gone bad sooner.

Can I eat 4 day old quinoa? ›

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.

Can you keep quinoa in the fridge for a week? ›

If the temperature in the fridge isn't kept low enough or your container isn't properly sealed, quinoa can easily go bad in less than five days. The most obvious indication that quinoa is spoiled is the smell. In the fridge, it won't smell like much unless it's begun to spoil.

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