Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad Recipe

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This time of year, most of us turn to our home kitchens for comfort meals. Those warming, hearty meals that fill us up, body and soul. But that doesn’t mean we have to rely on soups and stews. Quite the contrary. This delicious cranberry apple quinoa salad makes a great side dish to many types of main courses, or you can enjoy it as a stand-alone plant-based meal. Either way, it’s delicious!

Why I Love This Recipe

This cranberry apple quinoa salad is super easy to make and pairs well with a lot of different types of main courses. From chicken to fish, this dish is a hearty and filling side dish that packs a nutritious punch. Plus, if your quinoa is already cooked, it takes a whole ten minutes to prep the rest. I know. A whole ten minutes. That’s rough. But I believe in you! 🧑‍🍳

Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad Ingredients

Cooked quinoa – This quinoa should be cooked with water, preferably. But if you have some that is already cooked with broth of some sort, go a head and use it. It’ll be fine!

Dried cranberries – Get the fruit juice-sweetened cranberries to avoid processed sugar. I get mine from either Whole Foods or off of Amazon.

Apple – Use whatever apples are sweet and in season. The sweeter the better for this salad.

Walnuts – You can use raw, toasted, or even candied if you don’t mind using that. I used raw walnuts here, and soaked them to make them more digestible. They still have some crunch, and my tummy is much happier that way.

Extra virgin olive oil – Use whatever oil you are comfortable using as long as it’s light in flavor.

Apple cider vinegar – I used the stuff “with the mother.”

Maple syrup – Or honey. Or whatever sweetener you feel comfortable with. This recipe isn’t picky.

Salt and pepper – Add to taste.

How To Make Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad

If you don’t have quinoa precooked, cook some to package directions. Just be sure to rinse it well first so you get rid of that bitter flavor that comes from unrinsed quinoa. Cool before proceeding.

Prep the apples and walnuts and measure all your ingredients. You can soak the walnuts if you wish, but it’s not necessary.

In a large bowl, combine quinoa, cranberries, apples, and walnuts.

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.

Pour the dressing over the quinoa salad and toss to combine.

Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Recipe Pro Tips

1. Make sure your quinoa isn’t mushy. You want nicely cooked, individual grains for the best results with this salad.
2. Serving more people? Double the quinoa and nothing else. It will still taste delicious!

What To Serve With This Quinoa Salad

This lovely side dish will pair well with seafood, chicken, pork or beef main courses. The flavor is versatile enough to handle any of them aside from more heavily spiced international dishes. This is a side dish for a night you serve steak or chicken breasts.

Love Quinoa? Here Are More Delicious Quinoa Recipes

Love quinoa? Me tooooo!!!! Try a few other quinoa recipes I have for you, such as my easy quinoa salad made with carrots and green beans, my chickpea quinoa salad made with fresh basil, or my butternut squash quinoa salad made with deliciously roasted butternut squash.

Did You Make This Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad?
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