Description
A delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors, this Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad features nutty quinoa, tart cranberries, and fresh apples, making it a perfect dish for family gatherings and any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 2 honey crisp apples, chopped
- 1 cup pecans, toasted
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the quinoa under cold water. In a medium pot, combine quinoa with water, bring to a boil, then simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes.
- In a skillet, toast the pecans over medium heat for about 5 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, chopped apples, cranberries, and toasted pecans. Add fresh herbs.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For best flavor, allow the salad to chill before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Cranberry, Quinoa Salad, Autumn Recipe, Healthy Salad, Family Gathering