Quinoa Apple Salad
Quinoa Apple Salad is a delightful and nutritious dish that perfectly balances the nutty flavor of quinoa with the sweetness of fresh apples. This vibrant salad, dressed in a zesty maple Dijon vinaigrette, is not only quick to prepare but also versatile, making it an ideal choice for lunch, meal prep, or as a colorful side dish. With its combination of protein-packed quinoa, crunchy walnuts, and tart cranberries, this salad is both satisfying and refreshing. Whether you enjoy it on its own or as part of a larger meal, Quinoa Apple Salad is sure to please everyone at the table.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 4 people 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Healthy/Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
- ¾ cup tricolor quinoa
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 gala apple, diced
- ¼ cup celery, diced
- 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 and remove from heat; let stand for 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and transfer to a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, ground allspice, salt, and pepper.
- Add the diced apple, celery, parsley, and walnuts to the fluffed quinoa. Pour the vinaigrette over the mixture and toss until well combined.
- Serve immediately or chill for about 30 minutes before serving for enhanced flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg