Best 5 Warm Quinoa Salad Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with our warm quinoa salad, a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. This versatile dish showcases the nutty goodness of quinoa, perfectly cooked to retain its fluffy texture. Tossed in a vibrant dressing of zesty lemon, aromatic garlic, tangy Dijon mustard, and a hint of sweetness from honey, each bite is a harmonious blend of flavors. Roasted broccoli florets add a delightful crunch and a touch of smokiness, while crumbled feta cheese provides a salty contrast that balances the overall taste profile. Discover variations of this enticing salad, including a satisfying vegan option with roasted chickpeas and a refreshing Mediterranean version with sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and feta. With its vibrant colors, delectable flavors, and diverse variations, this warm quinoa salad promises a delightful culinary experience.

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

WARM QUINOA, SPINACH, AND SHIITAKE SALAD



Warm Quinoa, Spinach, and Shiitake Salad image

The quinoa adds protein as well as a chewy texture to this meatless main dish. The heat of the cooked quinoa and mushrooms helps wilt the spinach; the dressing and feta pull this warm salad together.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup red-wine vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 pounds fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps halved
1 1/2 cups quinoa
1 pound baby spinach
8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

Steps:

  • Heat broiler; set rack 4 inches from heat. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
  • On a large rimmed broiler-proof baking sheet, toss mushrooms with half the dressing (reserve the rest); broil, tossing occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated and mushrooms are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine quinoa, 3 cups water, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium. Cover, and simmer until liquid has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Place spinach in a large bowl; add hot mushrooms, quinoa, and reserved dressing. Toss to combine (spinach will wilt slightly). Top with crumbled feta, and serve immediately.

WARM QUINOA AND CHICKEN SALAD



Warm Quinoa and Chicken Salad image

Quick-cooking quinoa is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with protein, iron, and fiber. It is also the foundation for a main-course salad with chicken and springy vegetables. This one-pan recipe comes from our book "One Pot."

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Chicken     Chicken Breast Recipes

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for serving
4 scallions, white and green parts separated and thinly sliced lengthwise
1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, halved
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest, plus 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 1/3 cups water
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup fresh or frozen peas
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium-high. Add scallion whites; cook, stirring constantly, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add quinoa, chicken, lemon zest, and the water; bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook 11 minutes. Add asparagus and peas, cover, and cook until liquid is absorbed and vegetables are tender, 4 to 5 minutes more.
  • Remove from heat, and let stand 10 minutes. Shred chicken and fluff quinoa. Add lemon juice and parsley, and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with scallion greens and drizzle with oil.

WARM QUINOA SALAD



Warm Quinoa Salad image

Super-wholesome warm quinoa salad is jam-packed with nutrients. High in protein and iron.

Provided by Mac Rogers

Categories     Salad     Grains     Quinoa Salad Recipes

Time 40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 13

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon ground cumin
1 ½ cups water
1 cup dry quinoa (such as Quinta®)
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 ounce) can yellow corn kernels, drained and rinsed
½ cup finely chopped red bell pepper
½ cup finely chopped red onion
½ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

Steps:

  • Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, kosher salt, pepper, and cumin in a large serving bowl.
  • Bring water, quinoa, and kosher salt to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Place cooked quinoa into the serving bowl with dressing. Add black beans, corn, red bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro. Combine with a large spoon or wide spatula. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 482.5 calories, Carbohydrate 68.5 g, Fat 18 g, Fiber 13.3 g, Protein 15.8 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 1210.6 mg, Sugar 5 g

WARM SQUASH & QUINOA SALAD



Warm Squash & Quinoa Salad image

Whenever I see butternut squash at the supermarket, I buy one. It's amazing tossed with earthy quinoa, Italian spices and crunchy pine nuts. And don't get me started on the browned butter! Yum. -Carly Taylor, Libertyville, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups quinoa, rinsed
3 teaspoons ground cumin
3 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
3-1/2 cups cubed peeled butternut squash (about 1/2 medium)
1 teaspoon sea salt
3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Toasted pine nuts, optional

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, combine quinoa, cumin and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until liquid is absorbed, 10-13 minutes. Remove from heat; keep warm., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat butter over medium-low heat until golden brown, 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly. Immediately stir in squash and seasonings; cook, covered, until tender, 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add to quinoa, stirring gently to combine. Top with cheese and, if desired, pine nuts.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 314 calories, Fat 9g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 449mg sodium, Carbohydrate 49g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 11g protein.

WARM QUINOA, SPINACH, AND SHIITAKE SALAD



Warm Quinoa, Spinach, and Shiitake Salad image

Categories     Salad     Broil     Quinoa     Spinach     Simmer     Boil

Yield serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup red-wine vinegar
2/3 cup olive oil
Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper
2 pounds fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps halved
1 1/2 cups quinoa
1 pound baby spinach
1 1/2 cups crumbled feta cheese (8 ounces)

Steps:

  • Heat the broiler; set a rack 4 inches from the heat. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
  • On a large rimmed broiler-proof baking sheet, toss the mushrooms with half the dressing (reserve the rest); broil, tossing occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the mushrooms are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the quinoa, 3 cups water, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat to medium. Cover, and simmer until the liquid has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Place the spinach in a large bowl; add the hot mushrooms, quinoa, and reserved dressing. Toss to combine (the spinach will wilt slightly). Top with the crumbled feta, and serve immediately.
  • cleaning shiitakes
  • Do not soak shiitakes in water, because they will become spongy. Instead, wipe the caps clean with a damp paper towel after trimming away the stems.

Tips:

  • Cook quinoa properly: Follow the instructions in the recipe to ensure that the quinoa is cooked properly. Overcooked quinoa will be mushy, while undercooked quinoa will be hard and crunchy.
  • Use a variety of vegetables: This recipe calls for a variety of vegetables, including broccoli, carrots, zucchini, and red bell pepper. Feel free to use other vegetables that you have on hand or that you prefer. Just make sure that the vegetables are cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • Don't overcook the vegetables: The vegetables should be cooked until they are tender-crisp. Overcooked vegetables will be mushy and lose their flavor.
  • Use a flavorful dressing: The dressing in this recipe is made with olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and Dijon mustard. This dressing is light and flavorful, and it complements the quinoa and vegetables perfectly.
  • Serve warm or cold: This salad can be served warm or cold. If you are serving it warm, make sure to let it cool for a few minutes before serving. If you are serving it cold, chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Conclusion:

This warm quinoa salad is a healthy and delicious meal that is perfect for lunch or dinner. It is packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins, and it is also low in calories and fat. The variety of vegetables in the salad makes it a colorful and flavorful dish that is sure to please everyone at the table.

Related Topics