This attractive Thai quinoa salad recipe was initially posted in 2013, the yr I met my now-husband. I don’t need to change this submit an excessive amount of as a result of frankly, I need to hold the written reminiscences right here about our first date. It’s so candy.
What I did change about this recipe had been the images, suggestions, and methods to make it gluten free & vegan. Whoo hoo!
For these of you who don’t know, this recipe is among the hottest recipes on Formidable Kitchen!
So with out additional ado, right here’s the story about how we first met:
I simply received again from trip in Arizona. I had so many enjoyable nights I can’t even start to inform you. The meals, the margs, using round in a purple convertible, absorbing the sunshine, swimming at night time, baseball video games, Mexican meals, Froyo, plus a visit to Sprinkles cupcakes!
I need to be on trip for the remainder of my life.
Humorous sufficient, I additionally went on a date throughout my journey! (Probably the most random issues occur to me, I swear.) I met him by means of a pal and we hit it off. On our date, we went to the zoo, ate actually good Italian meals, and laughed hysterically. I don’t suppose he reads my weblog, so for my part, it’s completely okay to speak about how candy he was.
FYI: I instructed him in regards to the life-changing cookies and I believe he was bought.
Severely you guys, I’ve to cease telling individuals in regards to the taste profile of brown butter and people freaking cookies; it’s simply too nerdy. Particularly on dates.
However however however! What I really want to do is to return to grips with actuality and settle for that there aren’t any extra margs or FroYo in my close to future. All I want in my life now is a beautiful wholesome salad.
You in?
Components on this Thai-inspired quinoa salad
I like that this salad can simply be vegan and gluten-free, and it’s extremely crunch-tastic (not a phrase, however needs to be). There’s a great deal of goodness right here: numerous veggies and a creamy peanut butter dressing with a touch of ginger is totally TO DIE FOR. Right here’s what you’ll have to make it:
- Quinoa: as you most likely know by now, the bottom of this salad is made with nutritious, hearty quinoa. Considered one of my fav grains for salads!
- Veggies: this salad is SO colourful and loaded with shredded cabbage, purple bell pepper, purple onion, shredded carrots, cilantro & inexperienced onions.
- Nuts: I like so as to add additional crunch with cashews or peanuts (particularly honey-roasted).
- For the dressing: that creamy peanut dressing is made with all pure peanut butter, contemporary ginger, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil & olive oil. I like Wild Pals peanut butter, and you should use the code ‘AMBITIOUS15’ for 15% off!
In the long run, the components all meld collectively completely and one way or the other the salad simply works fantastically — plus it’s filling too! If you wish to make this a whole meal otherwise you’re craving extra, I counsel including edamame or chickpeas.
Oh and like just about all the pieces else on this weblog, I like it from the underside of my coronary heart. Duh.
Customise this Thai quinoa salad
Have enjoyable customizing this salad along with your fav components or ones you have got readily available!
- Select your veggies: you possibly can actually use any veggies you have got lurking in your fridge. Chopped broccoli or shredded brussels sprouts can be excellent in right here.
- Preserve it vegan: merely use agave or pure maple syrup as an alternative of the honey in your dressing.
- Strive a brand new grain: I believe this salad can be pretty with couscous, orzo, farro, or rice noodles!
- Go grain free: you can additionally swap the quinoa for kale, or double up the veggies to make it a hearty, grain free salad.
Wanting so as to add a lift of protein?
This Thai quinoa salad is the proper base to your fav meat or plant-based proteins. Right here’s what I counsel:
The very best Thai quinoa salad in 4 easy steps
- Cook dinner the quinoa. Begin by cooking your quinoa till it’s good and fluffy. Set it apart to chill when you make the dressing.
- Make the dressing. Warmth the peanut butter and honey within the microwave so as to simply combine them, then whisk in the remainder of the dressing components till it’s good and clean.
- Gown the quinoa. Toss somewhat little bit of the dressing along with your cooled quinoa in order that it began to soak up the flavors properly. Then fold in your whole veggies and toss with the remainder of the dressing.
- Garnish & serve. High the salad with cashews and further inexperienced onions, then serve with a squeeze of lime juice and luxuriate in!
Find out how to prepare dinner the proper fluffy quinoa
Get all of my greatest suggestions and tips for cooking completely fluffy quinoa right here!
Storing suggestions
Preserve this vegan Thai quinoa salad in an hermetic container within the fridge for about 3-4 days. This salad can simply be made the day earlier than, too, and might be scrumptious served the following day!
So sure, my husband and I met whereas I used to be on trip. Per week later, he requested me to ship him the life-changing cookies, and now almost 5 years later, we’re married. Cute story, huh?
Extra wholesome salad recipes you’ll love
Get all of my salad recipes right here!
Should you make this Thai quinoa salad recipe, be sure you go away a remark beneath and fee the recipe! You too can snap and film and submit it on Instagram utilizing the hashtag #ambitiouskitchen. And naturally be sure you comply with Formidable Kitchen on Instagram. xo!
Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad {vegan, gluten-free}
Crunchy, flavorful Thai-inspired quinoa salad full of rainbow veggies and tossed in a creamy peanut ginger dressing. This straightforward Thai quinoa salad is scrumptious as-is and nice for customizing along with your favourite proteins! Excellent for meal prep lunches, picnics or events. This salad is a crowd-pleaser!
Components
-
¾
cup
raw quinoa -
2
cups
shredded purple cabbage, relying on how a lot crunch you want -
1
purple bell pepper, diced -
1/4
cup
diced purple onion -
1
cup
shredded carrots -
½
cup
chopped cilantro -
¼
cup
diced inexperienced onions -
½
cup
cashew halves or peanuts (honey-roasted is sweet) - Optionally available: 1 cup edamame or chickpeas
- Recent lime, for a little bit of tang
- For the dressing:
-
¼
cup
all pure peanut butter -
2
teaspoons
freshly grated ginger -
3
tablespoon
gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos -
1
tablespoon
honey (use agave or pure maple syrup if vegan) -
1
tablespoon
rice vinegar or purple wine vinegar -
1
teaspoon
sesame oil -
1
teaspoon
olive oil or extra sesame oil - Water to skinny, if essential
Directions
-
To prepare dinner quinoa: In a medium saucepan, carry 1 ½ cups of water to a boil. Add in quinoa and convey combination to a boil. Cowl, scale back warmth to low and let simmer for quarter-hour or till quinoa has absorbed the entire water. Take away from warmth and fluff quinoa with fork; place in giant bowl and put aside to chill for about 10 minutes. It is best to have somewhat over 2 cups of quinoa.
-
To make dressing: Add peanut butter and honey or agave to a medium microwave protected bowl; warmth in microwave for 20 seconds. Add in ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, and each sesame and olive oil and stir till combination is clean and creamy. If you’d like a thinner dressing, merely stir in a teaspoon or two of water or olive oil.
-
Add as a lot or as little dressing as you’d wish to the quinoa. I all the time begin out with somewhat little bit of dressing and often add extra to go well with my style preferences. Alternatively it can save you the dressing for later and add when you find yourself able to eat; nonetheless the flavors of the dressing often soak into the salad so I like including it to the quinoa first.
-
Subsequent fold in purple pepper, onion, cabbage, carrots, and cilantro into the quinoa. Garnish with cashews and inexperienced onions. Serve chilled or at room temperature with lime wedges, if desired.
Recipe Notes
See the total submit for suggestions, tips & methods to customise this salad!
To retailer: retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for about 3-4 days. This salad can simply be made the day earlier than, too, and might be scrumptious served the following day!
Vitamin
Servings: 6 servings
Serving measurement: 1 serving
Energy: 260kcal
Fats: 13.5g
Carbohydrates: 27.7g
Fiber: 4.3g
Sugar: 7g
Protein: 8.6g
This submit was initially printed on April eleventh, 2019, and republished on February ninth, 2023.
