Thai Quinoa Salad Recipe (Healthy & So Easy!) | foodiecrush.com (2024)

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This easy Thai quinoa salad combines protein-rich grains with healthy nutrients from fresh veggies, for a lime-infused flavor bomb with crunch in each bite.

This easy Thai quinoa salad combines protein-rich grains with healthy nutrients from fresh veggies, for a lime-infused flavor bomb with crunch in each bite. It’s great as a sidefor potlucksand as a mainwhen you add chopped chicken. It’salsoan easy andcompleteweekday lunchtoo.

I remember being at a Weight Watchers meeting where a woman emphatically stated that she did. NOT. like. quinoa. There was no changing her mind. But in my head I couldn’t figure out why she was putting up the quinoa roadblock.

Quinoa is one of my favorite protein sources, probably because it’s so unassuming.Like a seventh grade girl, it takes on the flavors it’s paired with.

For this quinoa salad, that means the salty flavors of a limey Thai dressing with plenty of veggie crunch. It’s the perfect side dish or main meal if you’re feeling the hug of your waistline just a little too much.

Quinoa is a bona fide super food. It’s gluten-free, packed with protein, fiber and flavonoids with studies showing it as an anti-inflammatory. It’s also loaded with antioxidants to keep those free radicals at bay.

What’s in This Thai Quinoa Salad?

At the heart of this power salad are the grains of quinoa that cling to a bevy of fresh veggies and are the start of this healthy bowl.Edamame is included along with peanuts for added protein. Red bell peppers add even more antioxidants and vitamin C withcucumbers and shredded purple cabbage coming in with thecrunch.

  • quinoa
  • red bell pepper
  • carrot
  • cucumber
  • green onion
  • edamame
  • red cabbage
  • cilantro
  • basil
  • peanuts

Thai Quinoa Salad Recipe (Healthy & So Easy!) | foodiecrush.com (3)

What’s In This Quinoa Salad Dressing

The dressing is simple, tart and sweet and very similar to the one I serve with spring rolls. It’s made with a blend of fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Add more red chili flakes to boost your metabolism, or less if you’re feeding the kids.

  • limes
  • fish sauce
  • soy sauce
  • ginger
  • sugar
  • vegetable oil
  • sesame oil
  • red pepper flakes

If you can find Thai basil, it makes a great addition. If not, regular basil will do.

How to Make Thai Quinoa Salad

To make this easy Thai salad, first prep the quinoa according to package instructions. While that cooks, prep the veggies and add them to a large bowl. Once cooked, add the quinoa to the bowl as well.

Whisk together the tangy vinaigrette and toss with the veggies and quinoa to combine. Garnish with fresh basil, cilantro, and peanuts and dive in.

Chopping and shredding the veggies will be the only thing that takes any time in putting this salad together. To get extra thin shreds of carrot, I use the shredder in this set of three peelers.

You can enjoy this Thai quinoa salad right away, or refrigerate it for up to a day before serving it.

Is There a Fish Sauce Substitute I Can Use?

If possible, get your hands on a high quality fish sauce like this one for a more authentic flavor. But if you’re really against using it or don’t have any on hand, you can likely get away with using Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce in a pinch. (Note that I’ve only ever made this recipe using fish sauce, so this is just my best guess).

Can I Prep This Salad in Advance?

If you’d like to prep this Thai salad for your lunches this week, I recommend storing the dressing separately and tossing it with your salad just before you’re ready to eat it. Once the dressing gets tossed with the veggies, the salad will stay good for only a day or two. However, because the ingredients are all sturdy, I’ve meal prepped it, refrigerated it, and eaten it throughout the whole week.

Tips for Making Thai Quinoa Salad

Make sure to rinse your quinoa before cooking it. Quinoa is coated in a substance called saponin, and if you don’t rinse it off your salad will wind up tasting quite bitter.

Feel free to add extra veggies to this salad or omit any you don’t have on hand. This is a flexible recipe, so tweak it as needed.

Also, I used a peeler to make pretty strands of the carrot. If you don’t have one, a regular box grater will do.

More Healthy Salad Recipes With Tons of Flavor

  • Ahi Tuna Poke and Mango Salad
  • Strawberry Arugula Salad with Watermelon and Feta
  • Mediterranean Tomato Salad
  • The Best Fattoush Salad
  • Greek Salad with Chicken

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Bookmark this recipe and leave a comment below,or take a photo andtag me onInstagramwith #foodiecrusheats.

Print

4.55 from 40 votes

Thai Quinoa Salad

This power salad combines protein-packed grains with the healing nutrients from fresh veggies for a lime infused flavor bomb with crunch in each bite.

Course Salad

Cuisine Asian, Thai

Keyword quinoa salad

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings as a side

Calories 213kcal

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1 red bell pepper , chopped
  • 1 carrot , peeled and shredded
  • 1 cucumber , chopped
  • 1 cup frozen edamame , thawed
  • 6 green onions , chopped
  • 1-2 cups shredded red cabbage
  • ½ cup chopped peanuts
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro
  • ¼ cup chopped basil

Dressing

  • 4 teaspoons fish sauce
  • 3 limes , juiced
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Rinse the quinoa under cold water and cook in a medium saucepan according to package directions. Remove from pan and let cool.

  • Add the quinoa and vegetables to a large bowl.

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, limes, sugar, vegetable oil, sesame oil, ginger, and red pepper flakes until the sugar has dissolved. Taste for sweetness and for heat, and add more seasoning to taste. Pour the dressing over the quinoa and vegetables and stir to combine.

  • Sprinkle the cilantro, basil and peanuts over the salad and stir lightly. Serve or refrigerate for up to one day.

Notes

Nutrition

Calories: 213kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 252mg | Potassium: 470mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2060IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 2mg

More Easy Thai Recipes You’ll Love

  • Thai Coconut Chicken and Rice
  • Shrimp in Thai Coconut Sauce
  • Thai Zucchini Noodle and Quinoa Salad
  • Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Soup
  • Thai Curried Salmon

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Thai Quinoa Salad Recipe (Healthy & So Easy!) | foodiecrush.com (2024)

FAQs

What is the nutritional value of quinoa salad? ›

Serving size: About 2 cups
  • Calories 313.
  • Total fat 13 g.
  • Saturated fat 3 g.
  • Trans fat 0 g.
  • Monounsaturated fat 5 g.
  • Cholesterol 10 mg.
Jun 19, 2015

What are the 4 types of Thai salads? ›

There are hundreds of variations of Thai salads, but generally speaking, they can all be grouped into four distinct categories: yam, tam, laab, and pla. While these different styles of salads share many ingredients, they each have defining characteristics, especially in terms of culinary technique.

What is the most popular salad in Thailand? ›

Even if you've never been to Thailand, I'm sure you've heard of som tam – the most famous Thai salad.

Is it okay to eat quinoa salad everyday? ›

A study by the Harvard Public School of Health stated that eating a bowl of quinoa daily may reduce the chances of early death risk from cancer, heart disease, respiratory ailments, diabetes, and other chronic diseases by 17%.

What does quinoa do to your body? ›

The fiber in quinoa can also help with cholesterol and blood sugar levels, lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Quinoa is rich in antioxidants, which can prevent damage to your heart and other organs. A diet high in antioxidants has been linked with a decreased risk of heart disease.

Can I eat quinoa salad everyday? ›

You can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day. You should avoid eating it if you experience stomachache, itchiness or vomiting after consuming it. A study by Harvard Public School of Health has reported that eating a bowl of quinoa daily is healthy and without any side effects.

What is the healthiest salad dressing in the world? ›

What is the healthiest dressing for a salad?
  • Vinaigrette. This classic combination of vinegar and olive oil gets the highest marks from dietitians. ...
  • Honey mustard. It's sweet and tangy, and also olive oil-based. ...
  • Yogurt-based dressing. ...
  • Pesto-based dressing. ...
  • Avocado-based dressing. ...
  • Tahini dressing. ...
  • Green goddess dressing.
Feb 20, 2024

What is the unhealthiest salad dressing? ›

Caesar dressing. Made up of mayonnaise, cheese, salt and oil (and all too often, anchovies), Caesar tends to be one of the least healthy options out there. Those ingredients cause it to be high in both saturated fats and sodium.

What does Thai style taste like? ›

A typical Thai meal includes five main flavors: salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy. Indeed, most Thai dishes are not considered satisfying unless they combine all five. While the seasoning can be spicy for a foreign palate, Thai food ensures that a balance of all flavors is present.

What is Thai peanut dressing made of? ›

Whisk warm water, peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and sesame oil together in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, then cook, whisking constantly, until sugar has dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and simmer until thick, 1 to 2 minutes.

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