September 30, 2023

This attractive Thai quinoa salad recipe was initially posted in 2013, the 12 months I met my now-husband. I don’t need to change this put up an excessive amount of as a result of frankly, I need to preserve the written reminiscences right here about our first date. It’s so candy.

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

For these of you who don’t know, this recipe is likely one of the hottest recipes on Formidable Kitchen!

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

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

I need 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 way of a pal and we hit it off. On our date, we went to the zoo, ate actually good Italian meals, and laughed hysterically. I don’t assume he reads my weblog, so for my part, it’s completely okay to speak about how candy he was.

FYI: I instructed him concerning the life-changing cookies and I feel he was bought.

Severely 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 really want 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 want in my life now is a beautiful wholesome salad.

You in?

two bowls of thai quinoa salad with cilantro and limes on top and a bowl of limes on the side

Substances 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 ought to be). There’s a great deal of goodness right here: a number of 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 in all probability know by now, the bottom of this salad is made with nutritious, hearty quinoa. One in all my fav grains for salads!
  • Veggies: this salad is SO colourful and loaded with shredded cabbage, pink bell pepper, pink 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, recent ginger, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil & olive oil. I really like Wild Friends peanut butter, and you should use the code ‘AMBITIOUS15’ for 15% off!

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

Oh and like just about every part else on this weblog, I like it from the underside of my coronary heart. Duh.

bowl of thai quinoa salad with peanut dressing over the top and green onions and cilantro with limes in the background

Customise this Thai quinoa salad

Have enjoyable customizing this salad together with your fav components or ones you might have available!

  • Select your veggies: you may actually use any veggies you might have lurking in your fridge. Chopped broccoli or shredded brussels sprouts could be excellent in right here.
  • Maintain it vegan: merely use agave or pure maple syrup as a substitute of the honey in your dressing.
  • Strive a brand new grain: I feel this salad could be pretty with couscous, orzo, farro, or rice noodles!
  • Go grain free: you would additionally swap the quinoa for kale, or double up the veggies to make it a hearty, grain free salad.

Wanting 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:

bowl of thai quinoa salad on a linen with cashews

The very best Thai quinoa salad in 4 easy steps

  1. Prepare dinner the quinoa. Begin by cooking your quinoa till it’s good and fluffy. Set it apart to chill whilst you make the dressing.
  2. Make the dressing. Warmth the peanut butter and honey within the microwave with the intention to simply combine them, then whisk in the remainder of the dressing components till it’s good and easy.
  3. Gown the quinoa. Toss somewhat little bit of the dressing together with your cooled quinoa in order that it began to soak up the flavors effectively. Then fold in all your veggies and toss with the remainder of the dressing.
  4. Garnish & serve. Prime the salad with cashews and further inexperienced onions, then serve with a squeeze of lime juice and revel in!

two bowls of thai quinoa salad

prepare dinner the right fluffy quinoa

Get all of my greatest suggestions and methods for cooking completely fluffy quinoa right here!

Storing suggestions

Maintain 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 might be scrumptious served the following day!

a bowl of thai quinoa salad garnished with green onions and cilantro and a lime wedge

So sure, my husband and I met whereas I used to be on trip. Every 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!

Should you make this Thai quinoa salad recipe, remember to depart a remark beneath and price the recipe! You may also snap and movie and put up it on Instagram utilizing the hashtag #ambitiouskitchen. And naturally remember to comply with Formidable Kitchen on Instagram. xo!

Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad vegan, gluten-free

thai quinoa salad in a bowl

Crunchy, flavorful Thai-inspired quinoa salad crammed with 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! Excellent for meal prep lunches, picnics or events. This salad is a crowd-pleaser!

Substances

  • ¾
    cup
    raw quinoa
  • 2
    cups
    shredded pink cabbage, relying on how a lot crunch you want
  • 1
    pink bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4
    cup
    diced pink onion
  • 1
    cup
    shredded carrots
  • ½
    cup
    chopped cilantro
  • ¼
    cup
    diced inexperienced onions
  • ½
    cup
    cashew halves or peanuts (honey-roasted is nice)
  • Optionally available: 1 cup edamame or chickpeas
  • Recent 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 pink wine vinegar
  • 1
    teaspoon
    sesame oil
  • 1
    teaspoon
    olive oil or extra sesame oil
  • Water to skinny, if needed

Directions

  1. To prepare dinner quinoa: In a medium saucepan, carry 1 ½ cups of water to a boil. Add in quinoa and produce combination to a boil. Cowl, scale 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 giant bowl and put aside to chill for about 10 minutes. It’s 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 need 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 wish to the quinoa. I all the time begin out with somewhat little bit of dressing and normally 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; nevertheless the flavors of the dressing normally soak into the salad so I really like including it to the quinoa first.

  4. Subsequent fold in pink 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 put up for suggestions, 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 might be scrumptious served the following day!

Diet

Servings: 6 servings

Serving measurement: 1 serving

Energy: 260kcal

Fats: 13.5g

Carbohydrates: 27.7g

Fiber: 4.3g

Sugar: 7g

Protein: 8.6g

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