Citrus Quinoa Salad

This Citrus Quinoa Salad is perfect for your holiday table...or Tuesday night! It is easy to make, delicious and so festive!  Gluten Free & Vegan

Y'all, this holiday stuff is starting to feel real.

I haven't started shopping or menu planning just yet, but I have started thinking about it.

That counts for something, right?

I am hoping to get started on both this weekend, so be on the lookout for the gift guides I have coming up!

In the meantime, let's enjoy some salad.

This Citrus Quinoa Salad is a little something different for your holiday table...or for any night of the week.

If you are in a rush, just skip the balsamic walnuts and use regular walnuts. The balsamic walnuts give it a little something special, but this salad is still delicious with regular walnuts.

The dressing and walnuts can easily be made ahead, making this salad perfect for simple entertaining.

Have you started planning for the holidays or shopping yet?  If so, what have you done?

If You Like This Citrus Quinoa Salad, You May Also Like:

• Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese & Quinoa
• Southwestern Quinoa Salad
• Spinach Quinoa Salad with Feta and Pine Nuts
• Fiesta Quinoa Salad

Recommended Tools to Make this Citrus Quinoa Salad:

• Fine metal strainer (to rinse quinoa)
• Saucepan (medium)
• Saucepan (small)
• Parchment Paper
• Baking Sheet
• Zester

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Citrus Quinoa Salad

This Citrus Quinoa Salad is perfect for your holiday table...or Tuesday night! It is easy to make, delicious and so festive!  Gluten Free & Vegan

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time50 mins

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American, Gluten Free, Healthy, Quinoa

Servings: 6

Calories: 415kcal

Author: Wendy Polisi

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa rinsed
• 3 cups watercress washed and torn (or spinach)
• 1 carrot peeled and shredded
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• 1 lime zested
• 1 orange zested

Dressing

• ¼ cup orange juice fresh squeezed
• 2 tablespoons lime juice fresh squeezed
• 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar or rice wine vinegar
• 1 shallot diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Balsamic Walnuts

• 1 cup walnuts
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup

Instructions

• Combine rinsed quinoa and 1 ½ cups water or broth in a saucepan. Bring to a simmering boil over medium.
• Reduce to low, cover and cook for 25 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to sit for another 5 minutes. Cool slightly.

Make Walnuts

• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Stir together vinegar and maple syrup in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low until simmering, about 8 minutes.
• Remove from heat and toss walnuts in the vinegar mixture.
• Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10 minutes.

Make Salad

• Combine watercress, carrot, cranberries, and zest in a large bowl. When quinoa is slightly cool toss with watercress mixture.

Make Dressing

• Combine orange juice, lime juice, shallot, garlic, agave nectar and vinegar in a small bowl. Add in olive oil in a steady stream. Season with salt and pepper.

To Serve

• Toss salad with desired amount of dressing and top with walnuts.

Nutrition

Calories: 415kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 214mg | Potassium: 455mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 2310IU | Vitamin C: 30.4mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 2.2mg