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Last Updated on Jul 20th, 2021 fitasamamabear

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Grilled Vegetable Quinoa Salad (gluten-free, vegan)

Name: Vegan Grilled Veggie Quinoa Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 2 cups quinoa (cooked and cooled); 1 yellow pepper; 1 red pepper; 14 asparagus; 1 cup cherry tomatoes; 2 tablespoons olive; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; Salt and pepper to taste; Dressing Ingredients; 1/8 cup olive oil; 5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; 5 tablespoons mustard (dijon or bold)

A simple salad recipe, this grilled vegetable quinoa salad contains only seven ingredients and is dressed with a tangy vinaigrette. It makes a tasty and quick dinner recipe on a warm night or a simple, light lunch the next day. Loaded with veggies, color, and plant-based protein.

Some days I don’t feel like cooking. And on those days, my solution is always to grill or roast veggies and make some sort of concoction. Thus, this grilled vegetable quinoa salad came out of those days.

It’s super simple (grill veggies + cook quinoa) and makes a light lunch or dinner.

Don’t want to read? JUMP to the recipe!

Why Quinoa?

Quinoa has been called a superfood for a few years now even though others have taken the spotlight. The reason that it became so popular is that it’s a seed that gives the illusion of being a carb. Moreover, being that it’s gluten-free made it a huge win with an allergy-friendly community.

Quinoa is also one of the only non-animal foods that is a complete protein. Meaning, it contains good amounts of all essential amino acids. However, it is also higher on the carbohydrate scale.

Conversely, I find that while the nutritional breakdown is higher in carbs, quinoa doesn’t leave me feeling heavy or bloated after eating. it’s light, fluffy, and takes on whatever flavor it’s paired with.

Quinoa is also high in fiber (almost twist as much as other grains)
Contains iron
Rich in magnesium

Protein Options

Quinoa is a wonderful source of plant-based protein. Thus, nothing really needs to be added. However, depending on your goals it’s easy to add:

grilled chicken
hemp hearts
sesame tofu

When To Make It

This vegetable quinoa salad recipe is really simple to whip up. Likewise, the best part is that it tastes delicious warm or cold! Indeed, if you have the time, cook everything, mix it together and let it chill in the fridge for a few hours.

However, it is also delicious warm. There’s just something about grilled veggies I absolutely love. We use this quinoa salad for:

Lunch – it’s easy to whip up a big batch and portion out some lunches for the week
A quick dinner just the two of us
Barbeques – I rarely have salad options at gatherings so this one is a great option to bring along for everyone (like these spicy deviled eggs)

Need Some Real-Food Dinner Ideas?

If you’re looking for even easier, healthy dinner recipes, check out The Busy Moms E-Cookbook,- simple dinners for busy moms where I’ve gathered 30 healthy dinner recipes that can be made in thirty minutes or less.

From easy vegan tacos to beef and quinoa chili, simple chicken pasta to a bok choy and mushroom bowl. These dinner recipes share a few things in common:

They are healthy and simple to make
All of the recipes are dairy-free or could easily be made dairy-free
The majority of the recipes are gluten-free
All of the recipes are real-food based and focus on nutrients not fillers
They’re all tasty!

To make dinner-time even LESS stressful, I’ve also included several bonus tips on food prep, pantry staples and how to make healthy eating simple. Grab your copy of The Busy Mom’s E-Cookbook

Ingredients

2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled
1 yellow pepper
1 red pepper
14 spears asparagus
1 cup cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Dressing Ingredients

1/8 cup olive oil
5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
5 tablespoons bold or dijon mustard

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

How To Make The Salad

Cut the peppers into quarters and prep the asparagus. In a large bowl combine veggies.

Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar and salt, and pepper.

Pour over veggies.

Grill the veggies on the bbq for 8-10 minutes or until just cooked.

Let the veggies cool then cut into bite-size pieces but leave tomatoes intact.

Mix the veggies into the quinoa.

Whisk together the dressing ingredients and pour over the salad. Toss until fully combined.

Chill in the fridge for at least one hour or until ready to serve.

Serves 4-5

Don’t forget to pin this grilled vegetable quinoa salad!

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Quinoa salad with grilled vegetables in a white bowl

Vegan Grilled Veggie Quinoa Salad

Fit as a Mama Bear

A healthy, summertime salad recipe perfect for a light lunch or a barbeque. Dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan this quinoa salad is simple to whip up.

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

1 hr

Total Time 1 hr 30 mins

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings servings

Calories 447 kcal