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

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my .

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

We send good emails. Subscribe to FoodieCrush and have each post plus exclusive content only for our subscribers delivered straight to your e-mail box.

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter for more FoodieCrush inspiration.

As always, thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. There may be affiliate links in this post of which I receive a small commission. All opinions are always my own.

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

FAQs

Why is quinoa salad good? ›

Quinoa is a nutritious choice for people looking for plant-based protein sources—it's a complete protein, containing all nine of the essential amino acids. Plus, its dietary fiber may help improve your digestion. Likewise, its fiber and protein content can help make you feel more satiated than other grains.

What to eat if you don't like quinoa? ›

In fact, you may want to use couscous as a quinoa substitute even if you do have some quinoa in your pantry because it can be made with very little effort and time. The best way to cook couscous is to heat your water to boiling, then pour your hot water over the couscous and cover it.

Is it okay to 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 are the effects of eating quinoa everyday? ›

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.

Why does my stomach hurt after eating quinoa? ›

But for some people, eating quinoa may cause stomachaches, itchy skin, hives, and other common symptoms of food allergies. The seed and its coating contain the compound saponin, which could cause these symptoms. If you're allergic to quinoa or sensitive to saponin, it doesn't mean you have to miss out on tasty recipes.

Is quinoa an inflammatory food? ›

Quinoa (kiːnwɑː)

With its mild nutty flavor, this edible seed packs a powerful nutrition punch, containing anywhere from 17-27 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein per cup cooked. Quinoa is also considered to be a whole grain, gluten free and contains anti-inflammatory properties.

Is quinoa better for me than rice? ›

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice. A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

What are the beauty benefits of eating quinoa? ›

Quinoa can benefit the skin in a variety of ways, including nourishment and hydration, antioxidant protection, collagen support and anti-aging effects, soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, skin repair and renewal, and suitability for sensitive skin.

Is quinoa actually a superfood? ›

Nicknamed a “superfood,” quinoa is a complete source of protein, which means it contains all nine amino acids, and it's also a great source of fiber (it contains more than any other grain) and heart-healthy fats.

How is quinoa better for you than rice? ›

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice. A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 6140

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.