If you are craving a meal that will fuel your body and delight your senses, you will love this Crunchy Quinoa Salad. This vegan salad is all about the texture. I love it's crunchy, nutty, seedy goodness, and I think you will too!
If you love salads as much as I do, this crunchy quinoa salad recipe deserves a place in your meal prep routine.
It is delicious and enjoyable by itself and also works great in a wrap.
Since it holds well dressed for a couple of days, it's a great make-ahead lunch. It is also one of my favorite gluten-free side dishes.
Ingredients for Making Crunchy Quinoa Salad Recipe
Quinoa: Since this salad is all about texture, you can use any color of cooked quinoa that you like. Need help cooking it? Here is how to cook quinoa on the stovetop, rice cooker, or instant pot.
Sprouts: I used lentil sprouts here, but really any sprouts will work. I do like the crunchy factor the lentil sprouts add. If you want to give it a try, here is how to sprout lentils. Otherwise, feel free to use whatever sprouts you can find at your grocery store.
Carrot: To save time, you can buy pre-grated carrots.
Scallions: Use the white and green parts of the green onion.
Sunflower Seeds: If you prefer, pumpkin seeds are also a good option.
Almonds: Want to take flavors to the next level? Use these Spiced Almonds.
Variations
- Changing up the flavor profile is as simple as changing the dressing. Make a crunchy thai quinoa salad by using the dressing from this Thai Chicken Salad or this Thai Quinoa Salad.
- For more protein, add chickpeas, black beans, or white beans.
- Add shredded cabbage for even more texture.
- I like to let the salad sit for at least 30 minutes after it has been tossed before eating to allow the favors to combine.
How Far Ahead Can You Toss Quinoa Salad with Dressing?
You can toss quinoa salad about four days ahead of time, but you can expect certain elements, like the nuts, to loose a little bit of crunch.
Storage
Store this salad in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Leftovers may be served chilled or at room temperature.
How to Make Crunchy Quinoa Salad
This recipe couldn't be easier to make!
Just place the cooked quinoa, sprouts, carrot, scallions, sunflower seeds, and almonds in a bowl.
Toss with the desired amount of balsamic vinaigrette and enjoy!
More Vegan Recipes to Try
- Apple Quinoa Breakfast Muffins make a delicious and nutritious start to your day!
- Instant Pot Red Potato Salad is light and refreshing. With a punchy lemon dressing, this is nothing like the mayo-heavy potato salad recipes you are accustomed to.
- Give this Mexican Quinoa Salad a try and it is sure to become one of your favorite lunch recipes.
- Looking to liven up your salad game? Give this Tomato Vinaigrette a try.
Crunchy Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- ¾ cup cooked Quinoa
- ¾ cup lentil sprouts or sprouts of choice
- 1 cup grated carrot
- 2 scallions sliced thin
- ⅓ cup sunflower seeds
- ⅓ cup roasted almonds chopped
- 1 recipe balsamic vinaigrette dressing or desired amount
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine quinoa, sprouts, carrot, scallions, sunflower seeds, and almonds.
- Toss with dressing and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Tamara Ko
Can the crunchy quinoa salad be used for the Fast Metabolism diet? I found it on pinterest on a phase three FMD page...thanks!
Wendy Polisi
I am not familiar with that plan, sorry!
Melissa Chapman
I go through different phases and quinoa was one of them. I will try this recipe during my next quinoa phase. This dish looks like it is one my kids would like.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
That looks so good! I love all the flavors and textures, and I LOVE all the health benefits.
Marcie W.
Tasty and totally full of deliciousness! I eat a primarily plant based diet and quinoa plays a very important role in my protein intake, so learning new ways to cook and enjoy it is always appreciated.
Pqm
I love a good salad recipe. The most important part of any recipe to me is the taste. With all the different textures, this one is going to taste awesome.
Liz Mays
I'm really liking the sound of those almonds and sunflower seeds mixed in with the veggies and quinoa. This sounds like a really good meal.
Monica
Love quinoa and my recipes have been so repetitive lately that I've been loosing interest. This looks SO GOOD!
Joyce Brewer
I wonder how long this salad would last in the fridge. I'm working on preparing meals ahead!
Wendy Polisi
I would say three or four days.
Veronica Solomon
Love the salads. They look so delicious. The photography is great too
Amy @ Marvelous Mommy
I just bought everything to make this! It looks like a yummy lunch!
Shannon Gurnee
I've only had Quinoa once and really liked it. This sounds like a yummy salad! I definitely wanna try this out sometime.
Mary Edwards
I tried Quinoa years ago and absolutely hated it. HOWEVER, I found out recently it was cooked WRONG - so I tried it again and LOVE it so much. This type of recipe is PERFECT for my daughtre and I (both vegan) thanks for sharing!
AnnMarie John
I love a little crunch on my salad and this sounds so good! I felt the same way when I was pregnant with my youngest! Kids can be a little mean, lol. I think this recipe is a must try though! It looks so good!
Rosey
Kids are silly, aren't they? 🙂 The crunchiness appeals to me in the salad. We do enjoy reading about different ways to make quinoa.
chei
I just got hungry seeing those salad pics. I love to try Thai Chicken Salad. Am sure my family will love it. Thank you for sharing.
Wendy Polisi
Thanks so much. The Thai Salad is definitely a fav.
Eileen
Reading through the ingredient list was enough to convince me to make this salad. I am loving all the different tastes and textures. The sunflower seeds and chopped roasted almonds would really make this salad a winner!
Wendy Polisi
I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!