Satisfy your taste buds and appetite with these recipes for simple quinoa salads that span various cuisines and seasons. Enjoy!
Why is quinoa great in salads?
Quinoa has a nutty taste and chewy texture that is delicious in salads. It has little flavour, so you can use it for many cuisines. Quinoa is also a great substitute for bulgur wheat, couscous and orzo pasta for those eating gluten-free.
Adding a grain like quinoa to a salad can make it a complete meal if the salad has adequate protein or protein served on the side.
Is quinoa salad good for weight loss? [FAQ]
If you know anything about me, you know that I would never promote a food for weight loss!
As a non-diet nutritionist, I believe we can eat in many ways to provide our bodies the nourishment it requires and that there is no perfect diet.
Therefore, I do not advocate eating in any way to promote weight loss or declare that a food is healthy.
I believe in health at every size and that eating for weight loss, aka restricting your intake, can undermine your health and, worse, is harmful. Eating for weight loss or health goals can lead to disordered eating behaviours, such as orthorexia.
I hope to sway you away from weight loss or weight maintenance goals to eating foods you enjoy and satisfy your hunger and nutritional needs.
Salads made with quinoa are high in fibre and protein, which makes them more filling than green leafy salad, which rarely would suffice as a complete meal. A salad with quinoa absolutely could.
So, if you want a salad that can be enjoyed as a complete meal or alongside meats to sustain your energy and ward off hunger until your next mealtime, try adding quinoa.
How to cook quinoa perfect for a salad
Click the link below for my recipe and tips for cooking quinoa that is perfect for salads.
Can you serve quinoa salad hot or cold?
You can serve quinoa salads hot or cold depending on the other ingredients combined into the salad. Thus, quinoa is a great addition to salads all year round.
If you are making and eating your quinoa salad right away, you may enjoy it warm. It is delicious warm with roasted veggies or meat and is a great way to enjoy salad in the colder months.
However, it is best to combine quinoa into a salad when it is cold if the salad contains ingredients that should not be warmed or would lose texture when warmed, such as some herbs, tomatoes and cucumber.
Combining quinoa into your salad slightly cooled prevents it from becoming too mushy, which can also occur if overcooked.
Your choice of quinoa for salad recipes
White or tricolour quinoa are great in salads. It depends on the colour you want and what you have available.
15 satisfyingly simple quinoa salad recipes
I have compiled some quinoa salad recipes that are easy to make and seriously satisfying. I hope they provide some inspiration for your salads. Enjoy!
High-protein quinoa salad recipes
Quinoa salad recipes with roast veggies
Quinoa salad recipes with fruit
Quinoa by cuisine or substituted into traditional salads
Have you tried any of these quinoa salad recipes?
I’d love to hear if you tried any of these recipes. Leave a comment below and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #joyfuleatingmoment.
If you are looking to invent your own-style quinoa salad, you may like to try a grain bowl based on quinoa.
Enjoy!