Quinoa Apple Salad Recipe
A fresh and flavorful Quinoa Apple Salad featuring tricolor quinoa, crisp gala apples, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy candied walnuts, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. This nutritious salad makes a perfect light lunch or a delightful side dish that balances sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Grains & Broth
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
- ¾ cup tricolor quinoa, rinsed
Fresh Produce
- 1 gala apple, diced into ¼-inch cubes
- ¼ cup celery, diced into ¼-inch cubes
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Dried & Nuts
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup candied walnuts
For the Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Quinoa: In a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable broth and rinsed quinoa to a boil. Stir in the dried cranberries, cover, and remove from heat. Let it stand for 15 minutes to absorb the liquid fully. Then fluff the quinoa with a fork and transfer it to a large salad bowl.
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: While the quinoa rests, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, ground allspice, kosher salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the diced gala apple, celery, chopped parsley, and candied walnuts to the fluffy quinoa in the salad bowl. Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the mixture and toss everything gently but thoroughly so each ingredient is evenly coated.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the salad immediately for a fresh taste or chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together. It can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature.
Notes
- Rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold water before cooking to remove its natural bitterness.
- Chilling the salad enhances the flavor by allowing the vinaigrette to soak into the ingredients.
- For a nut-free version, omit the candied walnuts or substitute with seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- Use fresh, crisp apples like Gala or Fuji for best texture and flavor.
- If you prefer a sweeter salad, increase the maple syrup in the vinaigrette slightly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: quinoa salad, apple salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, fruity salad, quinoa recipes, gluten free salad
Find it online: https://cheflenacooks.com/quinoa-apple-salad-recipe/
