Packed with colorful veggies, loaded with plant-based protein, and tossed in a tangy balsamic dressing this gluten-free quinoa salad is a hit for any occasion!
Whether you're looking for a light gluten-free lunch or an easy side dish, this quinoa salad is a perfect choice (and an easy meal prep recipe!).
One of the best things about this gluten-free quinoa salad is that it makes for the BEST meal prep recipe!
If you cook the quinoa ahead of time it whips up quickly and is great to bring to a BBQ (paired with something like a vegan fruit tart) or use as an easy lunch.
The balsamic vinaigrette dressing lights up your taste buds and the dish as a whole gives you some *always needed* energy.
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As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I love bringing this quinoa salad to summer gatherings. You'll fall in love with it because it's:
- Dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan
- Easy to make
- Pairs with anything (especially delicious with these crispy baked chicken wings!)
Ingredients You'll Need
Cooked quinoa: a superfood in its own right. Quinoa is naturally gluten-free and one of the only plant-based foods that are a complete protein! Meaning, it contains good amounts of all essential amino acids, though it is higher in carbohydrates. For faster meal prep though, have cooked quinoa in he fridge.
Veggies: you can use anything you have in the fridge but you want to make sure they grill well. Personally, we use cherry tomatoes, asparagus, and bell peppers as the add great texture but cook easily enough.
Balsamic vinegar: you can switch up the flavor of the tangy dressing if you use a flavored balsamic vinegar but know that the classic is delicious on its own.
Oil: we use avocado oil to grill the veggies and olive oil for the salad dressing. This is because avocado oil has a higher heat point. Make sure to use good quality olive oil though so that you get the health benefits of that too!
Dijon mustard: dijon mustard gives the gluten-free quinoa salad a tangy taste but a delicious one. If you like something sweeter, a honey mustard works too (make sure it's vegan if you need that).
How To Make It
- Cook quinoa according to package directions if you haven't done so already. Pop into the fridge.
- Cut the peppers into quarters and prep the asparagus. In a large bowl combine veggies.
- Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, 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 them into bite-size pieces but leave the tomatoes intact.
- Mix the veggies into the quinoa.
- Whisk together the dressing ingredients and pour over the quinoa salad. Toss until fully combined.
- Chill the quinoa salad in the fridge for at least one hour or until ready to serve.
Protein Options
Quinoa is a wonderful source of plant-based protein and delicious in this side dish as well as something like quinoa upma. Thus, nothing really needs to be added. However, depending on your goals it's easy to add:
- grilled chicken
- hemp hearts
- sesame tofu
- topping it with keto air fryer chicken tenders (or having them on the side!)
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Important Teaching Tips For The Gluten-Free Quinoa Salad
This gluten-free quinoa salad whips up quickly if the quinoa is made and ready in the fridge. Basically, cooked quinoa makes dishes with it super fast.
Make sure not to burn the veggies on the grill as it obviously changes the flavor of the quinoa salad.
If you have leftovers, it tastes really delicious in a wrap the next day!
Other Quinoa Recipes You'll Love
- Quinoa chickpea salad
- Italian quinoa wrap
- Savory quinoa breakfast bowl
- Thai quinoa stir fry
- Spicy quinoa stuffed peppers
Frequently Asked Questions About Quinoa Salad
Quinoa salad will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the fridge when stored in an air tight container.
Quinoa tends to absorb whatever flavor it is paired with. So, make sure to use bold flavors so that it doesn't taste bland.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
Vegan Grilled Veggie Quinoa Salad
Video
Equipment
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
- ⅛ cup olive oil
- 5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 5 tablespoons mustard dijon or bold
Instructions
- Cook quinoa according to package directions if you haven't done so already. Pop into the fridge.
- 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 quinoa salad. Toss until fully combined.
- Chill the quinoa salad the fridge at least one hour or until ready to serve.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Oh to Be a Muse
This colorful veggie quinoa salad is really the type of food that I should be eating. Looks very healthy!
fitasamamabear
Haha I love color in my food! Makes it look so much better and super yummy!
Melanie
This looks so good and easy to make!
fitasamamabear
Simplicity is key for me lol
Erin
This looks delicious and your photography is beautiful! can't wait to give it a try. Thanks so much for sharing!
fitasamamabear
Thanks so much for the photography compliment! I've been working hard on it 🙂
Patricia
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I did not know Quinoa was a super food. I may be on the look out for some, as they do fortunately sell quinoa in my store. 🙂
fitasamamabear
I hope you enjoy it Patricia! It's so versatile it goes with everything 🙂
Sara
I adore quinoa! I had gestational diabetes with my pregnancy and got to enjoy quinoa a ton! I have made this combination before but haven't grilled the veggies or made that dressing! I know what we'll be having this weekend! Thanks for sharing!
fitasamamabear
Hope you enjoy it! I'm a sucker for quinoa too it just goes with everything. I also love grilled veggies because they get so tasty!
Christina | From Under a Palm Tree
The recipe looks so yummy! I love quinoa, it's a great food and it's so versitile. This post is making me hungry!
fitasamamabear
Right?! Quinoa can be made into anything. I love it.
Ginger Smith
This sounds so yummy! I'll have to try it out this weekend!
fitasamamabear
The simple ones are the best ones! I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Margaret Stuart
This looks so yummy! I love quinoa too. I will definitely be saving this to make sometime in the near future!
fitasamamabear
Let me know how you like it!
Megan | Mama on Main Street
Wow!! This looks absolutely AMAZING! I'm drooling over the dressing. Adding it to my list of things to make next week!
fitasamamabear
Haha it's definitely a tasty one- I'm a sucker for grilled veggies
Lauren
This would be great to bring to a tailgate party!
fitasamamabear
Yes! Hrm.. that actually sounds like fun. I need warmer weather again!
Gillian Kent
This looks delicious. I have a feast or famine relationship with quinoa. I love it for a while then suddenly can't stand it. Looks like it's time to give it another go 'round.
fitasamamabear
Haha I think everyone goes through phases with food. I get addicted to it because it can be used with so much!
Cait Weingartner
This looks so fresh and delicious! I'm always looking for ways to add quinoa to my diet, so this recipe is most welcome.
fitasamamabear
Quinoa is so versatile I love it! Enjoy 🙂
Angie
A lot of my friends love Quinoa, but I've never tried. I may have to give this salad a try and make it one afternoon!
fitasamamabear
Quinoa is awesome because it takes on whatever flavor you pair it with- and it's light and fluffy! I hope you enjoy it- let me know!
fitasamamabear
Quinoa is awesome because it takes on whatever flavor you pair it with- and it's light and fluffy! I hope you enjoy it- let me know!
Jem
This looks delicious and healthy!
fitasamamabear
Thanks! It's a tasty one 🙂
Ophelia Tang
I love quinoa and this looks so healthy and delicious. I want to make this for lunch asap. Thanks for sharing.
fitasamamabear
It's tasty and light- we love it! I hope you enjoy it 🙂