Quinoa deserves its moment in the spotlight—that great grain is packed with nutrients! It also adds a light and nutty flair to these quinoa salad recipes.
15 Quinoa Salad Recipes
Updated on Nov. 10, 2023
1/15
Summer Salad
Total Time
50 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this recipe to show appreciation to all the teachers at my son’s school. The dish had to be as special as the teachers, who always go the extra mile for their students. I think this salad did the trick! It's hearty, earthy, sweet and loaded with nothing but good stuff. —Ramya Ramamurthy, Fremont, California
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 269 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 700mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat.
Asian Quinoa Salad
The aspect that makes this veggie-loaded quinoa salad from JoyFoodSunshine stand apart is its dressing, made with a mouth-watering combination of hoisin sauce, coconut milk and peanut butter.
2/15
3/15
Lemon Cranberry Quinoa Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As the family cook, I appreciate how easy this is to throw together on a busy weeknight. Plus, this salad never gets boring. One of my favorite variations is to substitute diced fresh mango for the cranberries, cilantro for the parsley, and lime for the lemon juice and zest. —Mary Shenk, DeKalb, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 218 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 370mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 5g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat.
4/15
Brussels Sprouts & Quinoa Salad
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With Brussels sprouts for the green and cranberries for the red, I make a cheery Christmastime salad. Refreshing and versatile, it works with any kind of nut or dried fruit. —Cameron Stell, Los Angeles, California
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup: 286 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 206mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat.
Kale and Quinoa Salad
This vibrant salad from The Hungry Waitress is the kind that improves with time, as the black beans, kale, tomatoes and dried cranberries all meld together with the quinoa and lemony dressing.
5/15
6/15
Warm Squash & Quinoa Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Whenever I see butternut squash at the supermarket, I buy one. It's amazing tossed with earthy quinoa, Italian spices and crunchy pine nuts. And don't get me started on the browned butter! Yum. —Carly Taylor, Libertyville, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 314 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 449mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 11g protein.
7/15
Curried Quinoa Salad
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Quinoa is such a fantastic salad base—it's full of protein, it adds a nutty flavor, and it's the perfect vehicle to soak up any kind of dressing. If you like a little more heat, add more cayenne or curry to the dressing. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 176 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 320mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
8/15
Quinoa Chickpea Salad
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Quinoa contains more protein than other grains, and that protein is of unusually high quality for a plant food. That makes this a great filling main dish and the blend of flavors and colors will bring everyone at the table back for more.
—Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 355 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 155mg sodium, 70g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 9g fiber), 12g protein.
Mexican Street Corn Quinoa Salad
Mexican street corn is the inspiration for this unique quinoa salad from Chef De Home. A chipotle and lime dressing complements the grilled corn, mango, avocado and cotija cheese.
9/15
10/15
Quinoa Tabbouleh
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Tabouli is a super fresh, mostly parsley salad with finely cracked wheat, juicy tomatoes, onion, fresh lemon juice, good quality extra virgin olive oil and a hint of fragrant mint. I added a little gluten-free twist to this recipe by replacing the cracked wheat with quinoa and then added some cucumbers for a nice crunch. For a delicious and colorful appetizer, serve in butter lettuce cups or endive leaves. —Nikki Haddad, Germantown, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 160 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 258mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 starch.
11/15
Black Bean & Corn Quinoa
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Some vegan quinoa recipes are boring, but this one definitely isn’t. My daughter’s college asked parents for the best quinoa recipes to use in the dining halls. This healthy quinoa recipe fits the bill. —Lindsay McSweeney, Winchester, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 375 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 668mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 10g fiber), 13g protein.
12/15
Quinoa Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Toasting the grain before it simmers isn't essential, but it does add a pleasant nuttiness to the flavor of this vegan quinoa salad. Mix and match whatever fresh herbs and veggies you have on hand. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 227 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 449mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch.
Avocado Quinoa Salad
Subtly spiced crunchy chickpeas are the key to this wonderful quinoa salad by The Last Food Blog. Fresh avocado, cucumber, tomato and a creamy mustard dressing complete the dish.
13/15
14/15
Garden Quinoa Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is special to me because it’s delicious as well as healthful. Serve it hot or cold, and enjoy the leftovers while they’re fresh! —Patricia Nieh, Portola Valley, California
Nutrition Facts:
2-1/4 cups with about 2 teaspoons pumpkin seeds: 417 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 533mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 9g fiber), 16g protein.
15/15
California Quinoa
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I’m always changing this salad up. Here I used tomato, zucchini and olives for a Greek-inspired salad. Try adding a few more favorite fresh veggies you know your family will love. —Elizabeth Lubin, Huntington Beach, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 310 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 353mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 6g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1 lean meat, 1 vegetable.
Don’t miss our other hearty grain bowls, made with wheat berries, rice, bulgur and more.
