Best 6 Lemon Cranberry Quinoa Salad Recipes

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**Lemon Cranberry Quinoa Salad: A Refreshing and Nutritious Dish**

Quinoa, a grain known for its high protein content and fluffy texture, takes center stage in this vibrant and refreshing Lemon Cranberry Quinoa Salad. This salad is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, featuring juicy cranberries, crisp celery, and crunchy almonds, all tossed in a tangy lemon vinaigrette. As you savor each bite, you'll be treated to a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. The zesty lemon dressing adds a burst of brightness to the salad, while the cranberries provide a sweet-tart contrast to the savory quinoa. The celery adds a refreshing crunch, and the almonds add a nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch. Whether you're looking for a light lunch, a healthy side dish, or a nutritious meal prep option, this Lemon Cranberry Quinoa Salad is sure to impress. With its vibrant colors and delicious flavors, it's a dish that will brighten up any occasion.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CRANBERRY QUINOA SALAD



Cranberry Quinoa Salad image

Cranberry Quinoa Salad is a healthy recipe that involves simple ingredients like fresh herbs, almonds, and feta cheese. With a delicious lemon dijon dressing, it's the perfect refreshing side dish or main course! Ready in less than 30 minutes.

Provided by Erin Lives Whole

Categories     dinner

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup dry quinoa, rinsed.
2 cups veggie broth
1/2 cup cranberries
1/2 cup chopped green scallion
3/4 cup slivered almonds
3/4 cup feta cheese
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 Tbsp. honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp dijon mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

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.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1/3 cup, Calories 205 calories, Sugar 9 g, Sodium 232.5 mg, Fat 12.3 g, SaturatedFat 2.6 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 21 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 5 g, Cholesterol 8.3 mg

QUINOA CRANBERRY SALAD



Quinoa Cranberry Salad image

This Quinoa Cranberry Salad is full of fresh, feel good flavours that everyone will love! With nutrient rich spinach, sweet dried cranberries and a zippy lemon dressing, it is able to stand alone as a protein packed, healthy meal, or can be served as a side. It's easy to make ahead of time and is naturally gluten free.

Provided by Melanie McDonald

Categories     Salad

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup / 170 g dry uncooked quinoa
2 cups / 480 mls water ((or 1 cup of water if you are using an Instant Pot))
4 large handfuls spinach (, shredded)
1 cup / 120 g dried cranberries
2 medium lemons (, zest and juice)
1 tablespoon / 15 mls maple syrup (, real maple syrup not pancake syrup. Agave can be used as an alternative.)
2 tablespoons / 30 mls extra virgin olive oil ((omit to make the recipe oil-free))
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper (, plus more to taste)
½ teaspoon salt (, plus more to taste)

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.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 128 g (about 1/8th of the entire recipe), Calories 171 kcal, Carbohydrate 29 g, Protein 3.5 g, Fat 4.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 175 mg, Fiber 2.4 g, Sugar 15 g

LEMON CRANBERRY QUINOA SALAD



Lemon Cranberry Quinoa Salad image

As the family cook, I appreciate how easy this is to throw together on a busy weeknight. Plus, this salad never gets boring. One of my favorite variations is to substitute diced fresh mango for the cranberries, cilantro for the parsley, and lime for the lemon juice and zest. -Mary Shenk, DeKalb, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1/4 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons minced fresh gingerroot
3/4 teaspoon salt
SALAD:
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
1 cup chopped peeled jicama or tart apple
1 cup chopped seeded cucumber
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
1 green onion, thinly sliced
1 cup cubed avocado

Steps:

  • For dressing, in a small bowl, whisk the first 5 ingredients until blended., In a small saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Add quinoa. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 12-15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat; fluff with a fork. Transfer to a large bowl., Add jicama, cucumber, cranberries, parsley and green onion to quinoa. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Serve warm or refrigerate and serve cold. Gently stir in avocado before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 218 calories, Fat 11g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 370mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CRANBERRY LENTIL AND QUINOA SALAD



Cranberry Lentil and Quinoa Salad image

A healthy, protein-packed salad.

Provided by CeliaBelia

Categories     Salad     Grains     Quinoa Salad Recipes

Time 2h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup dried lentils
2 bay leaves, divided
water to cover
2 cups water
1 cup quinoa
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
¼ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
ground black pepper to taste
½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted
½ cup dried cranberries, or to taste
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
1 small green onion, finely chopped

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 205.1 calories, Carbohydrate 24.7 g, Cholesterol 5.6 mg, Fat 8.9 g, Fiber 6.5 g, Protein 7.8 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 122.7 mg, Sugar 4.6 g

CRANBERRY AND CILANTRO QUINOA SALAD



Cranberry and Cilantro Quinoa Salad image

I got this recipe from the restaurant my dad built. I love the unique way of cooking the quinoa and the great combinations of the flavors.

Provided by Alison

Categories     Salad     Grains     Quinoa Salad Recipes

Time 2h30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 ½ cups water
1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
¼ cup red bell pepper, chopped
¼ cup yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 ½ teaspoons curry powder
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 lime, juiced
¼ cup toasted sliced almonds
½ cup minced carrots
½ cup dried cranberries
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Pour the water into a saucepan, and cover with a lid. Bring to a boil over high heat, then pour in the quinoa, recover, and continue to simmer over low heat until the water has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Scrape into a mixing bowl, and chill in the refrigerator until cold.
  • Once cold, stir in the red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, red onion, curry powder, cilantro, lime juice, sliced almonds, carrots, and cranberries. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Chill before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 176.2 calories, Carbohydrate 31.6 g, Fat 3.9 g, Fiber 4.1 g, Protein 5.4 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 13.1 mg, Sugar 8.2 g

LEMON-BASIL QUINOA SALAD



Lemon-Basil Quinoa Salad image

Found this and thought I would share since quinoa seems to be becoming so popular. This make-ahead salad (served warm or room temperature) is great for outdoor parties since it won't spoil in the sun.

Provided by manella

Categories     Salad     Grains     Quinoa Salad Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup quinoa
1 large lemon, zested and juiced
½ cup roasted red peppers, drained and diced
¼ cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons minced red onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 205.4 calories, Carbohydrate 38.8 g, Cholesterol 2 mg, Fat 3 g, Fiber 4.9 g, Protein 8.4 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 156.7 mg, Sugar 6.2 g

Tips:

  • Choose fresh, ripe cranberries. Look for cranberries that are plump and bright red. Avoid cranberries that are soft or have brown spots.
  • Rinse the cranberries thoroughly before using. This will help to remove any dirt or debris.
  • Be careful not to overcook the quinoa. Quinoa only takes about 15 minutes to cook, so be sure to keep an eye on it. If you overcook it, it will become mushy and lose its texture.
  • Fluff the quinoa with a fork before serving. This will help to separate the grains and make it light and fluffy.
  • Add the dressing to the quinoa while it is still warm. This will help the flavors to meld together.
  • Serve the salad immediately, or chill it for later. This salad can be served warm or cold, so it is a great option for a make-ahead meal.

Conclusion:

This lemon cranberry quinoa salad is a delicious and healthy side dish or main course. It is packed with fresh, vibrant flavors and is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. The salad is also very versatile, so you can easily customize it to your own taste. For example, you could add different fruits or nuts, or you could use a different type of dressing. No matter how you choose to make it, this lemon cranberry quinoa salad is sure to be a hit!

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