Quinoa Apple Salad: A Fruity, Fresh & Flavor-Packed Favorite
Quinoa Apple Salad is a vibrant and nutritious dish that perfectly balances sweetness and crunch, making it ideal for any occasion. This salad combines fluffy quinoa with crisp apples, tart cranberries, and crunchy walnuts, all tossed in a zesty vinaigrette. It’s not only quick and easy to prepare but also packed with protein and fiber, making it a healthy choice for lunch or as a colorful side dish at dinner gatherings. Enjoy this delightful medley of flavors as a standalone meal or paired with grilled chicken for an added protein boost. This versatile salad is sure to impress!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Healthy
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
- ¾ cup tricolor quinoa, rinsed
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 gala apple, diced into ¼-inch cubes
- ¼ cup celery, diced into ¼-inch cubes
- 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 and rinsed quinoa to a boil. Stir in dried cranberries, cover the pan tightly, and remove from heat. Let it stand for 15 minutes. Fluff the quinoa with a fork before transferring it to a large salad bowl.
- While the quinoa is resting, in a small mixing bowl, whisk together: extra virgin olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, ground allspice, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Add diced apple, celery, chopped parsley, and candied walnuts to the fluffed quinoa. Pour the prepared vinaigrette over this mixture. Toss gently until everything is well combined.
- You can serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to enhance flavors. Enjoy it cold or at room temperature!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg