Colorful Quinoa Salad

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. + cooling

Makes

8 servings

Updated: Sep. 28, 2023
My youngest daughter recently learned she has to avoid gluten, dairy and eggs, which gave me a new challenge in the kitchen. I put this dish together as a side we could all share. We love it for leftovers too. —Catherine Turnbull, Burlington, Ontario
Colorful Quinoa Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, seeded and chopped
  • 1 medium sweet orange pepper, chopped
  • 1 medium sweet yellow pepper, chopped
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • DRESSING:
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 teaspoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon grated lime zest
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh gingerroot
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add quinoa. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until liquid is absorbed, 12-15 minutes. Remove from heat; fluff with a fork. Transfer to a large bowl; cool completely.
  2. Stir spinach, tomatoes, cucumber, peppers and green onions into quinoa. In a small bowl, whisk dressing ingredients until blended. Drizzle over quinoa mixture; toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 143 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 88mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.