18 Delicious Quinoa Salad Recipes to take to your Next Potluck
Let’s go keen-wah crazy with this tasty round-up of easy quinoa salad recipes to take to your next potluck! These delicious quinoa salad recipes are gloriously gluten-free with lots of vegetarian options too.
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Let’s go keen-wah crazy with this tasty round-up of easy quinoa salad recipes to take to your next potluck! These delicious quinoa salad recipes are gloriously gluten-free with lots of vegetarian options too.
I’ve been all about quinoa salad recipes for a LONG time. I love quinoa because it’s is so easy to prepare, incredibly versatile, high in protein and fibre and can be served for just about any meal! Quinoa salads are also great for meal prep because most of them can be made ahead of time!
Naturally, I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to quinoa recipes, many of which are quinoa salad recipes that I think you’ll enjoy so I created a roundup here with over 15 healthy quinoa salad recipes. Hopefully you’ll like them as much as I do and decide to make one (or two) for your next potlick. First thing first, let’s cover a few quinoa basics!
How to cook quinoa in an Instant Pot for a salad:
I prefer to make quinoa in my Instant Pot because it cooks it perfectly every time! It’s never dry, over cooked, or wet and mushy, or under cooked.
- Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold running water in a fine mesh strainer. (See why below.)
- Spray the Instant Pot liner with cooking oil and add the rinsed quinoa (still damp), 1.5 cups of water and a pinch of salt.
- Lock the lid and set the steam valve to its “sealing” position.
- Select the “MANUAL” button and cook for 1 minute on high pressure. It will take about 5 minutes for the pressure to build, then the countdown timer will start.
- Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes and then release any remaining pressure. Fluff quinoa with a fork and serve.
Why do you need to rinse quinoa?
- Rinsing your quinoa helps remove quinoa’s natural coating, called saponin, which can make it taste bitter. Note: There are a few quinoa brands some come pre-rinsed. If you’re looking to save time or don’t own a mesh strainer, look for one of these brands.
Potluck Quinoa Salad Recipes
Now that we have the basics covered, let’s hop right in to these awesome quinoa salad recipes. I can’t wait to hear which ones you’ll make first!
Fall Harvest Quinoa Salad
This Harvest Fall Quinoa Salad is a delightful mix of texture and flavors of autumn and fall. Made with roasted sweet potatoes, dried cranberries, red apple, spinach, sunflower seeds, protein-rich quinoa, and an apple cider vinaigrette, this gluten-free, plant-based recipe is a show-stopper!
Spicy Lime Black Bean Quinoa Salad
This Spicy Lime Black Bean Quinoa Salad features a simple combination of fresh vegetables, black beans, and quinoa in a zesty lime dressing that makes this the perfect potluck quinoa salad!
Quinoa Chicken Spinach Nergi Bowl
A mix of fresh fruit, quinoa, chicken, sunflower seeds, and spinach, this Quinoa Chicken Spinach Nergi Bowl comes together deliciously and makes the perfect meal prep for a refreshing lunch!
Vegan Quinoa Salad w/ Fresh Dill & Lime Vinaigrette
This easy Vegan Quinoa Salad is a versatile dish that could easily be packed up for lunches-on-the-go, like picnics, potlucks, or school lunch boxes. It’s an easy make-ahead dish too.
Tex Mex Quinoa
Wholesome and delicious tex mex quinoa. Make a big batch since it's a instant crowd pleaser
Peach Quinoa Salad
This Peach Quinoa Salad is a delicious salad for any summer party, or a great potluck dish! Double the recipe, because it goes fast!
Pomegranate and Quinoa Salad
Delicious and healthy, this Pomegranate Quinoa Salad is not only easy to prepare, but it’s super healthy too! With ingredients like quinoa, pomegranates, cucumbers, and feta, you know it has to be good!
Sugar Snap Pea Quinoa Salad
This simple quinoa salad is delicious and easy to transport to a potluck! You can even make it a day in advance.
Corn and Black Bean Mexican Quinoa Salad {with Feta}
Hearty, flavourful and so delicious, this corn and black bean quinoa salad is always a hit!
Asian Quinoa Salad with Peanut Dressing
Asian Quinoa Salad with Peanut Dressing recipe is the perfect side dish or meatless main dish! It’s loaded with veggies, high in protein and bursting with flavor!
Cold Peach Quinoa Salad
This Peach Quinoa Salad is the perfect cold lunch meal prep as well as being super easy to make for a large gathering! Look no further for a cold lunch idea than this sweet peachy salad.
Rainbow Quinoa Salad - a perfect lunch recipe for a balanced vegan salad
Couscous and Quinoa Salad with Lime Vinaigrette
Couscous and Quinoa Salad with peppers, red onion, chick peas, spinach cucumbers and a lime vinaigrette. Perfect cold summer salad side dish for BBQs and potlucks.
Walnut Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Walnut Quinoa Stuffed Peppers combines three nutritional superfoods: Bell Peppers, Quinoa and Walnuts. Stuffed peppers work great as a stand-alone lunch dish or as a side dish. The combination of textures – juicy pepper, soft quinoa, crunchy walnuts and gooey melted cheese really make for an enjoyable eating experience.
Shrimp Quinoa Salad with Corn and Honey Lime Dressing
Shrimp Quinoa Salad is fresh, light, and super delicious. Corn gives each bite added sweetness which is balanced out perfectly with the zippy Honey Lime Dressing. Make this easy recipe in just 30 minutes for the perfect summer lunch or side dish.
Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
I am so obsessed with this delicious Fall kale salad topped with Roasted Butternut Squash, Quinoa, pecans, cranberries and Paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and tossed in a flavorful Balsamic Vinaigrette
Gluten-Free Quinoa Tabouli
A Gluten-Free twist on a classic salad, my Quinoa Tabouli is full of flavour, deliciously fresh ingredients and nutrition. Easy to make, and perfect to share with family and friends.
Kale Quinoa Salad | Orange Miso Dressing
This Kale Quinoa Salad with Orange Miso Dressing is crazy delicious and so easy to make. An amazing nutrition powerhouse salad of kale, quinoa, mandarin oranges, and so much more!
