Thai Quinoa Crunch Salad: A Refreshing Healthy Delight Recipe
This Thai Quinoa Crunch Salad is a vibrant and healthy dish packed with fresh vegetables, quinoa, and a flavorful sesame-soy dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a refreshing side, this salad combines crunchy peanuts and sesame seeds with zesty lime and ginger for a delightful taste experience. It’s easy to prepare, gluten-free, and full of nutrients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Quinoa Base
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups water
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Nuts & Seeds
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
Dressing
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Quinoa: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa is fluffy and the water is fully absorbed. Remove from heat and allow the quinoa to cool completely.
- Prepare Salad Mix: In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa with diced red bell pepper, cucumber, shredded carrots, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, chopped peanuts, and sesame seeds. Mix gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined and smooth.
- Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the quinoa and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients with the dressing evenly.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature for a refreshing, healthy meal.
Notes
- For added protein, mix in cooked chicken or tofu.
- Substitute peanuts with sunflower seeds for a nut-free version.
- Adjust lime juice and honey in the dressing to suit your taste for a sweeter or tangier flavor.
Keywords: Thai salad, quinoa salad, healthy salad, gluten-free salad, sesame dressing, crunchy salad, vegetarian salad
