Description
Thai Quinoa Crunch Salad: A Refreshing Healthy Delight! is a vibrant and nutritious dish that combines fluffy quinoa with colorful fresh vegetables, creating a satisfying crunch that’s perfect for any occasion. This quick and easy recipe takes only 30 minutes to prepare, making it an excellent choice for busy weeknights or festive gatherings. The zesty dressing ties all the flavors together, ensuring every bite is deliciously refreshing. Whether served as a light lunch, side dish, or at summer barbecues, this salad is sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 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
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Rinse the quinoa under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes until fluffy.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa with red bell pepper, cucumber, shredded carrots, green onions, cilantro, peanuts, and sesame seeds.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, lime juice, honey (or maple syrup), sesame oil, ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently until well combined.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg