Thai Quinoa Crunch Salad Recipe
This Thai Quinoa Crunch Salad is a vibrant, healthy dish featuring fluffy quinoa tossed with fresh bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, green onions, and a crunchy mix of peanuts and sesame seeds. Dressed in a zesty soy-lime-honey dressing infused with ginger and garlic, it offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Ideal for a light lunch or side, this salad is refreshing served chilled or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Thai
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Quinoa Base
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Crunchy Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
Dressing
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Quinoa: In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes until the quinoa is fluffy and the water is fully absorbed. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
- Prepare Salad Mix: In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa with diced red bell pepper, cucumber, shredded carrots, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, chopped peanuts, and sesame seeds.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
- Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the quinoa and vegetable mixture. Gently toss everything together until the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing and nutritious dish.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit the peanuts or substitute with toasted sunflower seeds.
- You can prepare quinoa a day in advance to save time.
- Add fresh herbs such as mint or basil for an extra burst of flavor.
- This salad pairs well with grilled chicken or tofu for added protein.
- Adjust the soy sauce quantity to control sodium levels.
Keywords: Thai quinoa salad, crunchy quinoa salad, healthy quinoa recipes, vegetarian Thai salad, gluten-free quinoa salad, fresh quinoa salad, healthy side dish, nutritious salad
Find it online: https://messykitchenmagic.com/thai-quinoa-crunch-salad-recipe-2/
