Description
This vibrant Quinoa Cranberry Salad is a refreshing and wholesome dish perfect for quick lunches or light dinners. Combining fluffy quinoa with sweet dried cranberries, crunchy toasted nuts, fresh herbs, and a bright lemon dressing, it’s a nutritious and flavorful salad that can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup pecans or walnuts, toasted and chopped
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced (optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Quinoa: In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa and water or vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is fluffy and the liquid is absorbed. Once cooked, fluff the quinoa gently with a fork and allow it to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, salt, and pepper until the ingredients are fully combined and the dressing is smooth.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, dried cranberries, finely chopped red onion, toasted and chopped pecans or walnuts, crumbled feta cheese if using, chopped fresh parsley, and diced cucumber if desired. Mix the ingredients gently to distribute them evenly.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the quinoa salad mixture. Toss everything carefully to ensure all components are coated evenly with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a nutritious and delicious salad option.
Notes
- Quinoa can be cooked in vegetable broth instead of water for extra flavor.
- For a vegan version, omit feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Toast nuts lightly in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant to enhance their flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness of the dressing by modifying the amount of honey or maple syrup according to preference.
- Salad can be made a few hours in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- Feel free to add other fresh vegetables like bell peppers or cherry tomatoes for added texture and color.
