Vivid, contemporary, and fantastically festive, this Cranberry Quinoa Salad is the sort of dish that feels at residence on any vacation desk—but easy sufficient for a weekday lunch. It’s a healthful, flavor-packed possibility that brings collectively a deliciously divine mixture of taste and texture.
Why We Love This Cranberry Quinoa Salad
This speedy salad has been a convention in our home for a few years. It’s excellent for the vacations, however we really like to eat all of it 12 months spherical. I typically discover myself sneaking just a little bowl of it for a fast snack or mild lunch.
Whether or not you’re vegan or not, it’s a healthful, flavor-packed possibility that brings collectively fluffy quinoa, sweet-tart cranberries, creamy feta, crunchy toasted pecans, and a sunny citrus dressing that ties all the pieces collectively.
Vacation-friendly flavors: Cranberry + orange = instantaneous festive magic.
Naturally nutritious: Protein-rich quinoa, heart-healthy nuts, and fruit add-in.
Customizable for allergy symptoms or preferences: Make it vegan, nut-free, dairy-free, or kid-friendlier in seconds.
Make-ahead favourite: Tastes even higher after chilling.
It’s vibrant, nutrient-dense, and made with substances that even youngsters acknowledge and revel in. Plus, it holds up so properly within the fridge, making it excellent for events, meal prep, or bringing to a potluck the place you actually need your dish to vanish.
Suggestions for Success:
- Rinse your quinoa earlier than cooking to take away bitterness.
- Toast your pecans—it makes an enormous distinction in taste and crunch.
- Let the quinoa cool totally to keep away from melting the feta or steaming the greens.
- Double the dressing if you happen to desire a extra citrus-forward salad.
Substitutions + Variations:
Make it vegan
Swap feta for vegan feta or omit solely.
Make it nut-free
Exchange pecans with roasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
Make it sweeter
Add diced apple, pear, or clementine segments.
Make it heartier
Add chickpeas, roasted candy potatoes, or shredded kale.
Swap the grain
Works with farro, couscous, or brown rice.
Extra Festive Facet Dish Recipes:
Cranberry Quinoa Salad
This Cranberry Quinoa Salad is a shiny, festive, and wholesome vacation facet– excellent for potlucks, meal prep, and vegan-friendly gatherings!
Servings: 6
Citrus Dressing
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tsp gentle coarse-grained mustard
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Cook dinner the quinoa: Deliver water or broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir within the quinoa, scale back warmth to low, cowl, and let simmer for 15–20 minutes or till the liquid is absorbed. Take away from warmth and let it stand for five minutes earlier than fluffing with a fork. Enable to chill fully (chilling helps the salad maintain its texture).
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Assemble the salad: In a big bowl, combine cooled quinoa with pecans, feta, inexperienced onions, cranberries, and orange zest.
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Gown it up: Whisk collectively all citrus dressing substances till easy. Drizzle over the salad and toss gently to coat.
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Chill + serve:Cowl and refrigerate till you are able to serve. The flavors deepen fantastically over time.