Best 5 Warm Quinoa Salad Recipes

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If you're looking for a healthy and delicious side dish or main course, look no further than warm quinoa salad. This versatile dish can be customized to your liking with a variety of ingredients, making it a perfect option for any occasion. Quinoa is a nutritious grain that is high in protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. It's also gluten-free, making it a great choice for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Let's cook with our recipes!

WARM QUINOA, SPINACH, AND SHIITAKE SALAD



Warm Quinoa, Spinach, and Shiitake Salad image

The quinoa adds protein as well as a chewy texture to this meatless main dish. The heat of the cooked quinoa and mushrooms helps wilt the spinach; the dressing and feta pull this warm salad together.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup red-wine vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 pounds fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps halved
1 1/2 cups quinoa
1 pound baby spinach
8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

Steps:

  • Heat broiler; set rack 4 inches from heat. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
  • On a large rimmed broiler-proof baking sheet, toss mushrooms with half the dressing (reserve the rest); broil, tossing occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated and mushrooms are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine quinoa, 3 cups water, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium. Cover, and simmer until liquid has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Place spinach in a large bowl; add hot mushrooms, quinoa, and reserved dressing. Toss to combine (spinach will wilt slightly). Top with crumbled feta, and serve immediately.

WARM QUINOA SALAD



Warm Quinoa Salad image

Super-wholesome warm quinoa salad is jam-packed with nutrients. High in protein and iron.

Provided by Mac Rogers

Categories     Salad     Grains     Quinoa Salad Recipes

Time 40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 13

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon ground cumin
1 ½ cups water
1 cup dry quinoa (such as Quinta®)
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 ounce) can yellow corn kernels, drained and rinsed
½ cup finely chopped red bell pepper
½ cup finely chopped red onion
½ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

Steps:

  • Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, kosher salt, pepper, and cumin in a large serving bowl.
  • Bring water, quinoa, and kosher salt to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Place cooked quinoa into the serving bowl with dressing. Add black beans, corn, red bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro. Combine with a large spoon or wide spatula. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 482.5 calories, Carbohydrate 68.5 g, Fat 18 g, Fiber 13.3 g, Protein 15.8 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 1210.6 mg, Sugar 5 g

WARM QUINOA AND CHICKEN SALAD



Warm Quinoa and Chicken Salad image

Quick-cooking quinoa is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with protein, iron, and fiber. It is also the foundation for a main-course salad with chicken and springy vegetables. This one-pan recipe comes from our book "One Pot."

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Chicken     Chicken Breast Recipes

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for serving
4 scallions, white and green parts separated and thinly sliced lengthwise
1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, halved
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest, plus 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 1/3 cups water
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup fresh or frozen peas
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium-high. Add scallion whites; cook, stirring constantly, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add quinoa, chicken, lemon zest, and the water; bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook 11 minutes. Add asparagus and peas, cover, and cook until liquid is absorbed and vegetables are tender, 4 to 5 minutes more.
  • Remove from heat, and let stand 10 minutes. Shred chicken and fluff quinoa. Add lemon juice and parsley, and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with scallion greens and drizzle with oil.

WARM SQUASH & QUINOA SALAD



Warm Squash & Quinoa Salad image

Whenever I see butternut squash at the supermarket, I buy one. It's amazing tossed with earthy quinoa, Italian spices and crunchy pine nuts. And don't get me started on the browned butter! Yum. -Carly Taylor, Libertyville, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups quinoa, rinsed
3 teaspoons ground cumin
3 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
3-1/2 cups cubed peeled butternut squash (about 1/2 medium)
1 teaspoon sea salt
3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Toasted pine nuts, optional

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, combine quinoa, cumin and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until liquid is absorbed, 10-13 minutes. Remove from heat; keep warm., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat butter over medium-low heat until golden brown, 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly. Immediately stir in squash and seasonings; cook, covered, until tender, 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add to quinoa, stirring gently to combine. Top with cheese and, if desired, pine nuts.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 314 calories, Fat 9g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 449mg sodium, Carbohydrate 49g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 11g protein.

WARM QUINOA, SPINACH, AND SHIITAKE SALAD



Warm Quinoa, Spinach, and Shiitake Salad image

Categories     Salad     Broil     Quinoa     Spinach     Simmer     Boil

Yield serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup red-wine vinegar
2/3 cup olive oil
Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper
2 pounds fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps halved
1 1/2 cups quinoa
1 pound baby spinach
1 1/2 cups crumbled feta cheese (8 ounces)

Steps:

  • Heat the broiler; set a rack 4 inches from the heat. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
  • On a large rimmed broiler-proof baking sheet, toss the mushrooms with half the dressing (reserve the rest); broil, tossing occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the mushrooms are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the quinoa, 3 cups water, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat to medium. Cover, and simmer until the liquid has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Place the spinach in a large bowl; add the hot mushrooms, quinoa, and reserved dressing. Toss to combine (the spinach will wilt slightly). Top with the crumbled feta, and serve immediately.
  • cleaning shiitakes
  • Do not soak shiitakes in water, because they will become spongy. Instead, wipe the caps clean with a damp paper towel after trimming away the stems.

Tips:

  • Choose the right quinoa: There are various types of quinoa available, such as white, red, and black. White quinoa is the most common and has a mild flavor. Red and black quinoa have a slightly nutty flavor and are more chewy. Select the type of quinoa that best suits your taste preferences and the dish you're preparing.
  • Rinse the quinoa thoroughly: Rinsing quinoa before cooking helps remove the saponins, a natural coating on the quinoa that can give it a bitter taste. Rinse the quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve under cold water for about a minute, or until the water runs clear.
  • Cook the quinoa properly: The ratio of quinoa to water is typically 1:2, but it can vary depending on the type of quinoa and the desired consistency. Follow the instructions on the quinoa package for specific cooking times and water ratios.
  • Let the quinoa cool: After cooking, allow the quinoa to cool slightly before assembling the salad. This helps prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
  • Use fresh ingredients: Fresh vegetables, herbs, and fruits add flavor and texture to the salad. Choose ingredients that are in season for the best flavor.
  • Add a variety of flavors: Experiment with different dressings and seasonings to create a flavorful salad. Try a simple vinaigrette dressing, a creamy avocado dressing, or a tangy citrus dressing. Add herbs like cilantro, parsley, or mint for freshness.
  • Don't overcrowd the salad: When assembling the salad, avoid overcrowding the bowl. This can make it difficult to mix the ingredients evenly and can lead to a soggy salad.

Conclusion:

A warm quinoa salad is a versatile and nutritious dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or as a side dish. With its protein-packed quinoa, colorful vegetables, and flavorful dressing, this salad is a satisfying and healthy option. By following these tips, you can create a delicious and visually appealing warm quinoa salad that will impress your taste buds and leave you feeling satisfied.

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