15 Quinoa Salad Recipes That Are Filliing, Nutritious and Anything but Boring
Some may consider quinoa the sad, overused alternative to rice, but we beg to differ. For starters, it cooks in a flash (about 15 minutes). It also lasts for days in the fridge, it’s gluten free and it’s one of the only plant-based sources of complete protein out there. And perhaps most importantly, it tastes good with just about everything, from curried cauliflower to barbecue chicken. Not yet convinced? These 15 quinoa salad recipes—like citrus, shrimp and quinoa salad with feta and even quinoa Caesar salad—will change your mind. Ready thy bowls.
RELATED: 29 Vegetarian Salad Recipes That Are Way More Exciting Than Your Go-To Chicken Caesar
1. Citrus, Shrimp and Quinoa Salad with Feta
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, make ahead, less than 550 calories
2. Quick Guacamole Quinoa Salad
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, <10 ingredients, low sugar, less than 500 calories
3. Vegan Fiesta Taco Bowl
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, high protein, make ahead
4. Pesto Quinoa Bowls with Roasted Vegetables and Labneh
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, vegetarian
5. The Ultimate Quinoa-Avocado Bowl
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, low sugar, dairy free, gluten free
6. Curried Cauliflower Quinoa Salad
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, gluten free
7. Fattoush-Style Salad with Crispy Quinoa
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, less than 500 calories
8. BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
9. Easy Quinoa Salad
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, less than 500 calories, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
10. Southwestern Kale Power Salad with Sweet Potato, Quinoa and Avocado Sauce
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: less than 500 calories, vegetarian, gluten free
11. Quinoa Chickpea Caesar Salad
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, gluten free, beginner-friendly
12. Cucumber Quinoa Salad
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, gluten free, crowd-pleaser
13. Corn, Avocado, and Quinoa Salad with Marinated Tomatoes
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, gluten free
14. Rainbow Quinoa Salad with Chili Garlic Sesame Dressing
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: gluten free, vegan, less than 500 calories
15. Quinoa Veggie Bowls with Tahini Ranch
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: dairy free, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
RELATED: 21 High-Protein Salad Recipes That Are Crisp and Refreshing (but Still Satisfying)