Quinoa Apple Salad: A Fruity, Fresh & Flavor-Packed Favorite
Quinoa Apple Salad: A Fruity, Fresh & Flavor-Packed Favorite is a delightful, vibrant dish that’s perfect for any occasion. This refreshing salad combines protein-rich quinoa with crisp apples, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy candied walnuts, all tossed in a zesty maple Dijon vinaigrette. Ideal for lunch, meal prep, or as a colorful side dish at gatherings, this salad is not only nutritious but also visually stunning. It caters to various dietary needs being gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly. Enjoy it chilled or at room temperature for a burst of flavor that will tantalize your taste buds.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 4
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ cup tricolor quinoa
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 gala apple, diced
- ¼ cup celery, diced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup candied walnuts
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring vegetable broth to a boil. Add rinsed quinoa and cranberries. Cover and remove from heat; let stand for 15 minutes. Fluff quinoa with a fork in a large bowl.
- Whisk together olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, allspice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Mix diced apple, celery, parsley, and walnuts into the quinoa. Pour vinaigrette over the salad and toss until well combined.
- Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to enhance flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg