Berry Quinoa Salad with Contemporary Orange Mint Dressing

Cool off this summer time with my colourful, gentle, and refreshing salad.

Every time the climate begins warming up, I discover myself craving lighter meals that don’t require a lot time within the kitchen. This berry quinoa salad checks each field. It’s colourful, refreshing, naturally candy, and full of healthful substances that make it excellent for lunch, a wholesome facet dish, and even meal prep. Contemporary berries, fluffy quinoa, and a vibrant orange mint dressing come collectively to create a quinoa fruit salad that’s as lovely as it’s scrumptious.

Causes to Love This Berry Quinoa Salad

There are such a lot of causes this wholesome quinoa salad has change into one in every of my favourite warm-weather recipes:

• Contemporary, juicy berries add pure sweetness.
• Filled with fiber, entire grains, and antioxidants.
• Good for meal prep because it tastes nice chilled.
• Fast and simple to make with easy substances.
• Naturally gluten-free.
• Makes a lightweight lunch or refreshing facet dish.
• Nice for picnics, barbecues, and potlucks.
• Stunning colours make it excellent for entertaining.
• Straightforward to customise together with your favourite fruits and herbs.
• Scrumptious sufficient to get pleasure from for breakfast, lunch, or a wholesome snack.

In case you’re on the lookout for a refreshing quinoa salad that’s each satisfying and nutritious, this recipe is tough to beat.

Associated: Quinoa Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Substances Wanted to Make This Wholesome Quinoa Salad

Quinoa Substances

• 1/2 cup tri-color quinoa
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Salad Substances

• 1/2 cup strawberries, stems eliminated and sliced
• 1/2 cup contemporary blueberries
• 1/2 cup contemporary blackberries

Dressing Substances

• 1 teaspoon additional virgin olive oil
• Juice and zest of 1 giant navel orange
• 1 tablespoon contemporary mint, finely chopped

Learn how to Make My Berry Quinoa Salad

Prepare dinner the quinoa based on the package deal instructions utilizing the water and kosher salt. As soon as it’s completed cooking, unfold it out on a plate or baking sheet to chill fully.

Whereas the quinoa cools, put together the orange mint dressing. In a small bowl, whisk collectively the olive oil, contemporary orange juice, orange zest, and chopped mint till effectively mixed.

Add the cooled quinoa, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries to a big mixing bowl. Pour the dressing excessive and gently toss till all the things is evenly coated.

You’ll be able to get pleasure from this combined berry quinoa salad instantly or refrigerate it for later. Actually, I believe the flavors get even higher after they’ve had somewhat time to mingle within the fridge.

Associated: Skinny Strawberry Sorbet

Ingredient Swaps and Additions

One in every of my favourite issues about this quinoa salad with berries is how simple it’s to customise based mostly on what’s in season.

Straightforward Swaps

• Use white or pink quinoa as a substitute of tri-color quinoa.
• Swap the orange for contemporary lemon, lime, or grapefruit juice.
• Substitute the mint with contemporary basil for a unique taste profile.
• Use maple syrup or honey in the event you’d like a barely sweeter dressing.

Scrumptious Additions

• Raspberries
• Diced peaches
• Chopped mango
• Watermelon cubes
• Crimson grapes
• Pomegranate arils
• Toasted sliced almonds
• Chopped pecans
• Walnuts
• Pistachios
• Crumbled feta or goat cheese
• Child spinach or arugula
• Shredded coconut
• Chia seeds
• Hemp hearts

For additional protein, I like serving this berry facet dish with grilled hen, grilled shrimp, and even chickpeas.

FAQ: Berry Quinoa Salad

Can I make this berry quinoa salad forward of time?

Sure! This make-ahead quinoa salad is ideal for meal prep. Retailer it in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days.

Can I take advantage of frozen berries?

Contemporary berries work greatest as a result of they maintain their form, however frozen berries can be utilized if thawed and drained effectively earlier than mixing them into the salad.

Can I substitute one other grain?

Completely. Brown rice, farro, couscous, and even cauliflower rice all work effectively if you wish to change up this quinoa fruit salad.

Is that this served heat or chilly?

I want serving it chilled, making it a super summer time berry salad for heat days, picnics, and outside gatherings.

Can I add protein?

Undoubtedly. Grilled hen, shrimp, salmon, and even chickpeas make this wholesome fruit salad filling sufficient for an entire meal.

What fruits work greatest?

This strawberry blueberry blackberry salad is my favourite mixture, however peaches, grapes, cherries, watermelon, and mango are all scrumptious additions relying on the season.

Associated: 7 Contemporary Summer time Salads and Smoothies

Conclusion

In case you’re on the lookout for a straightforward recipe that’s each wholesome and refreshing, this berry quinoa salad is one you’ll need to make all summer time lengthy. The mix of fluffy quinoa, juicy berries, and vibrant citrus dressing creates a colourful dish that’s excellent for all the things from fast lunches to yard barbecues. It’s easy to make, simple to customise, and at all times disappears rapidly at any time when I serve it.

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Comparable Recipes to this Berry Fruit Salad

In case you loved this berry quinoa salad, make sure you try a few of my different wholesome salad recipes. From hearty grain salads and contemporary fruit salads to protein-packed lunch bowls and colourful facet dishes, there are many nutritious recipes to maintain your meals contemporary, flavorful, and satisfying all 12 months lengthy:

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This recipe was initially titled, “Summer time Fruit Quinoa Salad” when printed in 2019.