Best 3 Apple Pecan And Goat Cheese Quinoa Salad Recipes

Seeking a dish that harmoniously blends sweet, savory, and crunchy textures? Look no further than the Apple, Pecan, and Goat Cheese Quinoa Salad! This delightful salad boasts a medley of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. Crisp apples, crunchy pecans, and creamy goat cheese are tossed with fluffy quinoa, creating a symphony of flavors in every bite. Drizzled with a tangy dressing of lemon, honey, and Dijon mustard, this salad is sure to impress your palate.

In addition to the main recipe, this article offers three variations to cater to various dietary preferences and tastes. For a vegan-friendly option, substitute the goat cheese with crumbled tofu, creating a equally delightful plant-based protein source. Craving extra veggies? Simply add chopped cucumber, bell peppers, or shredded carrots to the mix, enhancing the salad's nutritional value and visual appeal. If a gluten-free alternative is desired, use certified gluten-free oats instead of quinoa, ensuring celiac and gluten-sensitive individuals can savor this culinary delight.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ARUGULA AND APPLE SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE AND PECANS

Arugula and Apple Salad with Goat Cheese and Pecans image

Looking for a fun and delicious salad to serve? This arugula, goat cheese, and apple salad with a lemon vinaigrette is the perfect side salad or main dish.

Provided by Kristen McCaffrey

Categories Salad Side Dish

Time 10m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

4 oz. arugula
2 apples, sliced
1/4 cup pecans, chopped
1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
1/8 cup red onion, sliced
1 lemon, juice
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. white wine vinegar (more to taste)
Salt and pepper

Steps:

Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, honey, white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
Toss together remaining ingredients with the dressing.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize about 2 cups, Calories 213 cal, Carbohydrate 20 g, Fat 15 g, Protein 4 g, Fiber 4 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Sodium 51 mg, Sugar 15 g

CRANBERRY APPLE PECAN QUINOA SALAD

Cranberry Apple Pecan Quinoa Salad image

A beautiful and light take on a fall salad. The tastes mix well together and it can be served hot or cold. I like to pair it with Dijon-crusted salmon!

Provided by jrsolger

Categories Salad Grains Quinoa Salad Recipes

Time 25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 ½ cups chicken broth
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon maple syrup, or more to taste
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 large crisp apple, chopped into small pieces
1 cup pecan pieces
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Stir chicken broth and quinoa together in a saucepan; bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, place cover on the saucepan, and cook until the broth is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and fluff with a fork.
Whisk olive oil, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and cinnamon together in a bowl; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle sauce over the quinoa; stir. Add apple pieces, pecan pieces, cranberries, and Parmesan cheese; stir. Return cover to the saucepan and let the mixture steam until the sauce warms and the apples soften slightly, 5 to 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 372.4 calories, Carbohydrate 35.7 g, Cholesterol 5.9 mg, Fat 23.4 g, Fiber 5.1 g, Protein 8.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, Sodium 197.7 mg, Sugar 11.6 g

APPLE AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Apple and Goat Cheese Salad image

This goat cheese salad is a light and delicious side dish for almost any meal. The sweetness of the apples, raisins and grapes combines well with the tart goat cheese and dressing. Radelle Knappenberger of Oviedo, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch Side Dishes

Time 20m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

6 cups torn mixed salad greens
2 medium apples, chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup green grapes, halved
2 tablespoons olive oil
4-1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
3 tablespoons chopped walnuts, toasted
2 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese

Steps:

In a large bowl, combine the greens, apples, raisins and grapes. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, honey, lemon juice and garlic. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Sprinkle with walnuts and goat cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 133 calories, Fat 6g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 31mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

Tips:

For a heartier salad, add cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
Top the salad with crumbled feta cheese or blue cheese for an extra tangy flavor.
To make a vegan version of the salad, omit the goat cheese and use a plant-based dressing.
If you don't have any quinoa on hand, you can use another cooked grain, such as brown rice or farro.
For a quick and easy meal, use pre-cooked quinoa and pre-chopped vegetables.

Conclusion:

This apple pecan and goat cheese quinoa salad is a delicious and healthy meal that's perfect for lunch or dinner. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own dietary preferences. With its sweet and savory flavors, this salad is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.