Best 7 Parsley Walnut Pesto Quinoa Salad Recipes

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Parsley walnut pesto quinoa salad is a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for lunch or dinner. It is made with fresh parsley, walnuts, garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese and quinoa. This salad is packed with flavor and is a great way to get your daily dose of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It can be served as a main course or as a side dish. The ingredients are easy to find and the salad is quick and easy to make. It can be prepared ahead of time, making it a great option for busy weeknights.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

PARSLEY-QUINOA SALAD



Parsley-Quinoa Salad image

This Parsley-Quinoa Salad can be made in advance and served at room temperature. Serve this salad alongside grilled chicken as a main for a delicious meal.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Salad Recipes

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

3/4 cup quinoa, washed, strained, and rinsed twice
1/3 cup roughly chopped parsley
1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Combine the quinoa and 1 1/2 cups of water in a 2-quart saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat, and simmer 10 to 12 minutes, until all of the water is absorbed. Drain and run under cold water. Toss in the remaining ingredients and serve.

PARSLEY WALNUT PESTO QUINOA SALAD



Parsley Walnut Pesto Quinoa Salad image

A seriously amazing and fresh salad; the epitome of healthy and nutrition-packed. I served this over fresh baby kale with balsamic dressing on the side for those that want a more robust flavor. This is amazing with the addition of garlic! Serve cold or at room temperature.

Provided by Tami Jones

Categories     Quinoa Salad

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup water
½ cup quinoa
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup fresh parsley
¼ cup walnuts
2 tablespoons olive oil, or more as needed
1 cup diced tomato
1 cup diced baby cucumber
¼ cup sliced leeks
¼ cup crumbled blue cheese, or more to taste
sea salt to taste

Steps:

  • Bring water and quinoa to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
  • Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add broccoli, cover the saucepan, and steam until broccoli is tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
  • Puree parsley, walnuts, and olive oil together in a blender or food processor until sauce is smooth.
  • Stir quinoa, broccoli, tomato, cucumber, and leeks together in a large bowl. Pour parsley sauce over quinoa mixture and toss to coat completely. Sprinkle blue cheese over the top and season with sea salt.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 254.2 calories, Carbohydrate 22.6 g, Cholesterol 6.3 mg, Fat 15.8 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 8.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 228.4 mg, Sugar 3.1 g

PESTO QUINOA SALAD



Pesto Quinoa Salad image

My daughter-in-law got me hooked on quinoa, and I'm so glad she did! I've been substituting quinoa in some of my favorite pasta recipes, and this dish is the happy result of one of those experiments. I love using my garden tomatoes and peppers in this salad; however, sun-dried tomatoes and roasted red peppers are equally delicious. -Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2/3 cup water
1/3 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 tablespoons prepared pesto
1 tablespoon finely chopped sweet onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
2/3 cup fresh mozzarella cheese pearls (about 4 ounces)
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil, optional

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil; stir in quinoa. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until liquid is absorbed, 10-12 minutes. Cool slightly., Mix pesto, onion, oil, vinegar and salt; stir in pepper, tomatoes, cheese and quinoa. Refrigerate, covered, to allow flavors to blend, 1-2 hours. If desired, stir in basil.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 183 calories, Fat 11g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 268mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

PARSLEY WALNUT PESTO QUINOA SALAD



Parsley Walnut Pesto Quinoa Salad image

A seriously amazing and fresh salad; the epitome of healthy and nutrition-packed. I served this over fresh baby kale with balsamic dressing on the side for those that want a more robust flavor. This is amazing with the addition of garlic! Serve cold or at room temperature.

Provided by Tami Jones

Categories     Quinoa Salad

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup water
½ cup quinoa
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup fresh parsley
¼ cup walnuts
2 tablespoons olive oil, or more as needed
1 cup diced tomato
1 cup diced baby cucumber
¼ cup sliced leeks
¼ cup crumbled blue cheese, or more to taste
sea salt to taste

Steps:

  • Bring water and quinoa to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
  • Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add broccoli, cover the saucepan, and steam until broccoli is tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
  • Puree parsley, walnuts, and olive oil together in a blender or food processor until sauce is smooth.
  • Stir quinoa, broccoli, tomato, cucumber, and leeks together in a large bowl. Pour parsley sauce over quinoa mixture and toss to coat completely. Sprinkle blue cheese over the top and season with sea salt.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 254.2 calories, Carbohydrate 22.6 g, Cholesterol 6.3 mg, Fat 15.8 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 8.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 228.4 mg, Sugar 3.1 g

PARSLEY WALNUT PESTO QUINOA SALAD



Parsley Walnut Pesto Quinoa Salad image

A seriously amazing and fresh salad; the epitome of healthy and nutrition-packed. I served this over fresh baby kale with balsamic dressing on the side for those that want a more robust flavor. This is amazing with the addition of garlic! Serve cold or at room temperature.

Provided by Tami Jones

Categories     Quinoa Salad

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup water
½ cup quinoa
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup fresh parsley
¼ cup walnuts
2 tablespoons olive oil, or more as needed
1 cup diced tomato
1 cup diced baby cucumber
¼ cup sliced leeks
¼ cup crumbled blue cheese, or more to taste
sea salt to taste

Steps:

  • Bring water and quinoa to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
  • Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add broccoli, cover the saucepan, and steam until broccoli is tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
  • Puree parsley, walnuts, and olive oil together in a blender or food processor until sauce is smooth.
  • Stir quinoa, broccoli, tomato, cucumber, and leeks together in a large bowl. Pour parsley sauce over quinoa mixture and toss to coat completely. Sprinkle blue cheese over the top and season with sea salt.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 254.2 calories, Carbohydrate 22.6 g, Cholesterol 6.3 mg, Fat 15.8 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 8.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 228.4 mg, Sugar 3.1 g

PARSLEY WALNUT PESTO QUINOA SALAD



Parsley Walnut Pesto Quinoa Salad image

A seriously amazing and fresh salad; the epitome of healthy and nutrition-packed. I served this over fresh baby kale with balsamic dressing on the side for those that want a more robust flavor. This is amazing with the addition of garlic! Serve cold or at room temperature.

Provided by Tami Jones

Categories     Quinoa Salad

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup water
½ cup quinoa
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup fresh parsley
¼ cup walnuts
2 tablespoons olive oil, or more as needed
1 cup diced tomato
1 cup diced baby cucumber
¼ cup sliced leeks
¼ cup crumbled blue cheese, or more to taste
sea salt to taste

Steps:

  • Bring water and quinoa to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
  • Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add broccoli, cover the saucepan, and steam until broccoli is tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
  • Puree parsley, walnuts, and olive oil together in a blender or food processor until sauce is smooth.
  • Stir quinoa, broccoli, tomato, cucumber, and leeks together in a large bowl. Pour parsley sauce over quinoa mixture and toss to coat completely. Sprinkle blue cheese over the top and season with sea salt.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 254.2 calories, Carbohydrate 22.6 g, Cholesterol 6.3 mg, Fat 15.8 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 8.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 228.4 mg, Sugar 3.1 g

PARSLEY WALNUT PESTO QUINOA SALAD



Parsley Walnut Pesto Quinoa Salad image

A seriously amazing and fresh salad; the epitome of healthy and nutrition-packed. I served this over fresh baby kale with balsamic dressing on the side for those that want a more robust flavor. This is amazing with the addition of garlic! Serve cold or at room temperature.

Provided by Tami Jones

Categories     Quinoa Salad

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup water
½ cup quinoa
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup fresh parsley
¼ cup walnuts
2 tablespoons olive oil, or more as needed
1 cup diced tomato
1 cup diced baby cucumber
¼ cup sliced leeks
¼ cup crumbled blue cheese, or more to taste
sea salt to taste

Steps:

  • Bring water and quinoa to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
  • Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add broccoli, cover the saucepan, and steam until broccoli is tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
  • Puree parsley, walnuts, and olive oil together in a blender or food processor until sauce is smooth.
  • Stir quinoa, broccoli, tomato, cucumber, and leeks together in a large bowl. Pour parsley sauce over quinoa mixture and toss to coat completely. Sprinkle blue cheese over the top and season with sea salt.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 254.2 calories, Carbohydrate 22.6 g, Cholesterol 6.3 mg, Fat 15.8 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 8.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 228.4 mg, Sugar 3.1 g

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use fresh parsley and walnuts. If you don't have fresh parsley, you can use dried parsley, but reduce the amount by half.
  • If you don't have walnuts, you can use another type of nut, such as almonds or pecans.
  • You can add other vegetables to this salad, such as chopped cucumber, red onion, or bell pepper.
  • If you're making this salad ahead of time, don't add the quinoa until you're ready to serve. The quinoa will absorb the dressing and become mushy if it sits in the dressing for too long.
  • This salad is a great way to use up leftover quinoa. If you have some cooked quinoa on hand, simply add it to the salad instead of cooking more.

Conclusion:

This parsley walnut pesto quinoa salad is a delicious and healthy meal that's perfect for lunch or dinner. It's packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats, and it's also a good source of vitamins and minerals. The pesto dressing is flavorful and tangy, and it pairs perfectly with the quinoa and vegetables. This salad is also easy to make, and it's a great way to use up leftover quinoa. So next time you're looking for a healthy and delicious meal, give this parsley walnut pesto quinoa salad a try.

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