Well-known Thai-Impressed Quinoa Salad | Bold Kitchen

This beautiful Thai quinoa salad recipe was initially posted in 2013, the yr I met my now-husband. I don’t wish to change this publish an excessive amount of as a result of frankly, I wish to preserve the written reminiscences right here about our first date. It’s so candy.

What I did change about this recipe had been the images, ideas, and methods to make it gluten free & vegan. Whoo hoo!

For these of you who don’t know, this recipe is without doubt one of the hottest recipes on Bold Kitchen!

So with out additional ado, right here’s the story about how we first met:

I simply acquired again from trip in Arizona. I had so many enjoyable nights I can’t even start to let you know. The meals, the margs, using round in a crimson convertible, absorbing the sunshine, swimming at evening, baseball video games, Mexican meals, Froyo, plus a visit to Sprinkles cupcakes!

I wish to be on trip for the remainder of my life.

Humorous sufficient, I additionally went on a date throughout my journey! (Essentially the most random issues occur to me, I swear.) I met him by means of a good friend 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 informed him concerning the life-changing cookies and I feel he was bought.

Critically you guys, I’ve to cease telling folks concerning the taste profile of brown butter and people freaking cookies; it’s simply too nerdy. Particularly on dates.

However however however! What I actually need 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 would like in my life now is a beautiful wholesome salad.

You in?

Components on this Thai-inspired quinoa salad

I really 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, crimson bell pepper, crimson 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 really like Wild Friends peanut butter, and you should utilize the code ‘AMBITIOUS15’ for 15% off!

In the long run, the elements all meld collectively completely and someway the salad simply works fantastically — plus it’s filling too! If you wish to make this an entire meal otherwise you’re craving extra, I recommend including edamame or chickpeas.

Oh and like just about every thing 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 together with your fav elements or ones you may have readily available!

• Select your veggies: you possibly can actually use any veggies you may have 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 a substitute of the honey in your dressing.
• Attempt a brand new grain: I feel this salad can be pretty with couscous, orzo, farro, or rice noodles!
• Go grain free: you might additionally swap the quinoa for kale, or double up the veggies to make it a hearty, grain free salad.

Trying so as to add a lift of protein?

This Thai quinoa salad is the right base in your fav meat or plant-based proteins. Right here’s what I recommend:

The most effective Thai quinoa salad in 4 easy steps

1. 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.
2. Make the dressing. Warmth the peanut butter and honey within the microwave so that you could simply combine them, then whisk in the remainder of the dressing elements till it’s good and easy.
3. Costume the quinoa. Toss somewhat little bit of the dressing together with your cooled quinoa in order that it began to soak up the flavors nicely. Then fold in all your veggies and toss with the remainder of the dressing.
4. Garnish & serve. Prime the salad with cashews and additional inexperienced onions, then serve with a squeeze of lime juice and revel in!

Methods to cook dinner the right fluffy quinoa

Get all of my finest ideas and methods for cooking completely fluffy quinoa right here!

Storing ideas

Preserve this vegan Thai quinoa salad in an airtight container within the fridge for about 3-4 days. This salad can simply be made the day earlier than, too, and shall 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!

For those who make this Thai quinoa salad recipe, make sure you go away a remark under and fee the recipe! You can too snap and film and publish it on Instagram utilizing the hashtag #ambitiouskitchen. And naturally make sure you comply with Bold 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 simple Thai quinoa salad is scrumptious as-is and nice for customizing together with your favourite proteins! Good for meal prep lunches, picnics or events. This salad is a crowd-pleaser!

Components

• ¾
  cup
  raw quinoa
• 2
  cups
  shredded crimson cabbage, relying on how a lot crunch you want
• 1
  crimson bell pepper, diced
• 1/4
  cup
  diced crimson 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
• Contemporary 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 crimson wine vinegar
• 1
  teaspoon
  sesame oil
• 1
  teaspoon
  olive oil or extra sesame oil
• Water to skinny, if essential

Directions

1. To cook dinner quinoa: In a medium saucepan, convey 1 ½ cups of water to a boil. Add in quinoa and produce combination to a boil. Cowl, cut back warmth to low and let simmer for quarter-hour or till quinoa has absorbed all the water. Take away from warmth and fluff quinoa with fork; place in massive bowl and put aside to chill for about 10 minutes. It is best to have somewhat over 2 cups of quinoa.

2. 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 easy and creamy. If you would like a thinner dressing, merely stir in a teaspoon or two of water or olive oil.

3. Add as a lot or as little dressing as you’d prefer to the quinoa. I at all times 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 if you end up able to eat; nonetheless the flavors of the dressing often soak into the salad so I really like including it to the quinoa first.

4. Subsequent fold in crimson 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 publish for ideas, methods & 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 shall be scrumptious served the following day!

Diet

Servings: 6 servings

Serving dimension: 1 serving

Energy: 260kcal

Fats: 13.5g

Carbohydrates: 27.7g

Fiber: 4.3g

Sugar: 7g

Protein: 8.6g

This publish was initially revealed on April eleventh, 2019, and republished on February ninth, 2023.