Best Lemon Cranberry Quinoa Salad Recipes

QUINOA CRANBERRY SALAD

Steps:

• Rinse the quinoa well in a fine sieve then add it to a dry pan and gently toast it over medium heat for a couple of minutes, keeping it moving, until it starts to smell a little nutty. Once it does turn off the heat.
• Add the water, bring to a simmer, and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes until the water has mostly absorbed.
• Turn off the heat, cover tightly and leave to steam for at least 5 minutes but longer is fine. Allow to cool completely before fluffing with a fork and continuing with the recipe. If you are in a hurry to cool it, you can spread it out in a thin layer on a cool plate or baking sheet.
• Rinse the quinoa in a sieve then tip the wet quinoa into the insert of your Instant Pot. Saute over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring frequently until it starts to smell nutty. Once it does turn the Instant Pot off.
• Add 1 cup of water to the quinoa, stir, then put the lid on and seal the vent. Set to 2 minutes high pressure and leave the pressure to naturally release. Remove the lid, allow to cool and fluff with a fork before using.
• Shred the spinach and stir it through the cooled quinoa. Add the cranberries and stir them through too.
• Zest the lemons and add it to a small jar or bowl. Juice the lemons and add the juice to the jar/bowl with the zest. Add the maple syrup, optional olive oil, salt and pepper. Put the lid on and shake it or whisk it together.
• Pour over the quinoa mixture and toss well to coat. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.

CRANBERRY LENTIL AND QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Place lentils and 1 bay leaf in a saucepan with enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes; drain and discard bay leaf. Rinse with cold water until lentils cool and transfer to a large bowl.
• Bring 2 cups water, quinoa, and remaining bay leaf to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and water has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse quinoa with cold water until cool, discarding bay leaf. Stir quinoa into lentils.
• Heat lemon juice in a microwave-safe bowl in a microwave until warm, about 30 seconds. Stir honey into juice until dissolved. Add vinegar and salt; whisk in olive oil and season with black pepper. Pour lemon juice mixture into lentils and quinoa.
• Mix walnuts, cranberries, feta cheese, and green onion into lentil and quinoa salad. Toss to coat. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

GLUTEN-FREE CRANBERRY-ALMOND QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• For the dressing: Whisk together the oil, lemon juice, honey, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
• For the salad: Bring 2 1/2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Place the cranberries in a small bowl. Ladle out 1/2 cup of the boiling water over the cranberries to rehydrate. Pour the quinoa into the pot with the remaining boiling water, cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook until the quinoa absorbs the water, 12 to 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork, and transfer to a large bowl.
• Drain the cranberries and scatter them over the quinoa. Add the scallions, almonds and vinaigrette, and fold into the salad until evenly distributed. Add the mint and serve, or chill overnight if desired.

CRANBERRY QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Rinse your quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and then add to a saucepan.
• Add in veggie stock and turn on heat.
• Bring to a rolling boil, then stir and turn the heat down to low and cover.
• Cook for 15 minutes covered.
• Turn off heat and let sit for about 5 minutes.
• After 5 minutes, open lid and fluff with fork.
• Your quinoa should have absorbed all the water, if not, return to heat for a few more minutes.
• Pour quinoa into bowl for cooling.
• Assemble the dressing while you wait.
• Whisk together oil, lemon juice, garlic, dijon mustard, salt and pepper in one bowl.
• Once quinoa as completely cooled, add cranberries, green scallion, almonds, feta cheese, and parsley.
• Add dressing on top and mix together!
• Serve immediately or cold. This salad gets better the longer it sits in the fridge!
• Enjoy.

LEMON-BASIL QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring chicken broth and quinoa to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and broth has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Stir quinoa, lemon zest, and lemon juice together in a bowl. Add red peppers, cranberries, onion, and basil to quinoa; toss to combine.