Cooked quinoa is one of our favorite additions to a quick homemade salad. This nutty, versatile grain is packed with protein and fiber, and it's easy to make ahead of time during your weekly meal prep!
Cook quinoa according to package directions or use your own preferred method (I typically use a ration of 1 part quinoa to 2 parts water). Learn more: How to cook fluffy quinoa.
Add warm quinoa directly to a salad (like this warm spinach salad with roasted sweet potatoes!) or let it cool completely and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Add cold quinoa right to your favorite salads when you're ready to use it!
PS - Have extra cooked quinoa? Fry it up into quinoa cakes for a fun twist!
Quinoa Salad Recipes
Warm Spinach Salad with Quinoa and Sweet Potato
This warm spinach salad is perfect for fall! Hearty and filling, with quinoa, feta, roasted sweet potatoes, and a quick maple dijon dressing.
Photo & Recipe: Life As A Strawberry
Kale and Quinoa Salad with Apples
Fluffy quinoa and quick pickled apple slices are the stars of this massaged kale salad. Brimming with fresh flavor and great textures!
Photo & Recipe: The Mindful Hapa
Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
This Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad is easy to make, ready in under an hour, delicious, and loaded with health benefits. It's the perfect fall salad.
Photo & Recipe: Ahead of Thyme
Salmon Mint Quinoa Salad
Salmon Quinoa Salad made with crisp green beans, napa cabbage, spinach, cherry tomatoes, nutty quinoa, and a creamy lemon dressing. This salmon salad is fresh and healthy too!
Photo & Recipe: The Mindful Hapa
Vegan Mediterranean Quinoa Falafel Salad
This Vegan Mediterranean Quinoa Falafel Salad is a fresh, fast, and fabulous salad that's full of protein and nutrients. Naturally vegan and gluten free, and it's super filling!
Photo & Recipe: Fooduzzi
Southwest Quinoa Salad
Southwest Quinoa Salad is hearty, flavorful, and delicious. It's loaded with chunky vegetables and tender quinoa, coated in a tangy homemade dressing.
Photo & Recipe: Ahead of Thyme
Quick and Easy Greek Salmon Bowls
These Greek-Inspired Salmon Bowls come together in 30 minutes! With fresh veggies and a tangy, herb filled balsamic vinaigrette. Easy to customize!
Photo & Recipe: Midwest Foodie
FAQs
Farro, barley, or brown rice are all good substitutes for quinoa in a salad!
While "healthy" eating looks a bit different for everyone, quinoa IS a good source of nutrients like protein, fiber, zinc, magnesium, and iron. Learn more: 8 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Quinoa.
I hope you love these quinoa salad recipe ideas! For more healthy meal ideas, be sure to check out our full recipe collection.
Kyle says
Yeah! So excited for this!