Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad

Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad is a vibrant, refreshing dish that brings together sweet, tart, and nutty flavors.

With fluffy quinoa, crisp apples, tangy cranberries, and a zesty dressing, this salad is perfect as a light lunch, a healthy side dish, or a festive addition to your holiday table.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Medium saucepan
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Knife and cutting board
• Salad serving bowl

Ingredients

For the Salad

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 2 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1 medium apple (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), diced
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, toasted for extra flavor)
• ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• 2 cups mixed greens or spinach

For the Dressing

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• ½ tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Cook the Quinoa
   • In a medium saucepan, bring the water or vegetable broth to a boil.
   • Add quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and water is absorbed.
   • Fluff with a fork and let cool to room temperature.
2. Prepare the Dressing
   • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3. Assemble the Salad
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, diced apple, dried cranberries, chopped nuts, and mixed greens.
   • Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
4. Add Toppings
   • Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top if desired.
5. Serve
   • Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy immediately, or chill for 30 minutes for a more cohesive flavor.

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

15 minutes

Total Time

25 minutes

Nutrition (Per Serving, Serves 4)

• Calories: 220
• Protein: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fat: 8g
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 120mg

This Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad is a delightful blend of textures and tastes—a perfect combination of wholesome and delicious! 🥗🍎

Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad

Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad is a vibrant, refreshing dish that brings together sweet, tart, and nutty flavors.

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Equipment

• Medium saucepan
• Mixing bowls 
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Knife and cutting board
• Salad serving bowl

Ingredients

  

• For the Salad
• 1 cup quinoa rinsed
• 2 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1 medium apple such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, diced
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts optional, toasted for extra flavor
• ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese optional
• 2 cups mixed greens or spinach
• For the Dressing
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• ½ tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Cook the Quinoa
• In a medium saucepan, bring the water or vegetable broth to a boil.
• Add quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and water is absorbed.
• Fluff with a fork and let cool to room temperature.
• Prepare the Dressing
• In a small mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
• Assemble the Salad
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, diced apple, dried cranberries, chopped nuts, and mixed greens.
• Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.