Quinoa Fruit Salad is a quick and easy salad that is nutrition packed and so refreshing. Using seasonal fruits, greens, sweet berries, red onion, peppers, quinoa and topping with mint, toasted pistachios and lemon dressing, this salad is full of flavor and protein. This salad is vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and dairy free, and is ready in less than 30 minutes.

Why Quinoa?

The main reason I include quinoa in most of my dishes, is because it is gluten free. Every recipe on this site is gluten free, and I am always looking for foods that are high in nutrition to include in my recipes. Adding quinoa to a recipe includes the nutritional value, but also makes a salad substantial and filling. Quinoa is a complete protein, is high in fiber, amino acids, and has a low glycemic index. These factors make it the perfect food for any diet.(source)

When I am using quinoa, the preparation is different depending on the recipe. For savory recipes, I will prepare quinoa using either water or vegetable broth. For sweet recipes, like this Quinoa Fruit Salad, I will use almond milk and maple syrup to make the quinoa a little sweeter. I use the sweet recipe when I serve quinoa as a breakfast meal as well.

Add quinoa, almond milk and maple syrup to Instant Pot

I prepared the quinoa in the Instant Pot. If you aren’t using the Instant Pot, prepare the quinoa according to the package directions.

Spread spinach in salad bowl or platter

Spread the fresh spinach leaves on the bottom of the salad bowl or platter. Add fruits and vegetables.

Add quinoa, pistachios and mint

After adding fruits and vegetables, add quinoa, pistachios and mint. 1 cup of uncooked quinoa will yield 2 cups of cooked quinoa.

Quinoa Fruit Salad.

To serve, add all ingredients to large bowl and toss

In order to serve the salad and make sure that the ingredients are easy, place all of the ingredients in a large salad bowl.

Lemon dressing

Use your favorite dressing on this salad, or prepare a lemon dressing like I did to keep it light and fruity.

Drizzle dressing

After tossing all of the ingredients in a large salad bowl, drizzle the dressing over the salad.

Quinoa Fruit Salad

This salad is vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and dairy free. If you are not vegan or vegetarian, you can add grilled chicken or fish to the salad for more variety.

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Quinoa Fruit Salad

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Keyword greens, quinoa, spinach

Diet Category Vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, diary free

Servings

Calories 286kcal

Author greenschemetv

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

4 cups spinach
1 cup arugula lettuce
1 cup blueberries
3 peaches, sliced
1 cup raspberries
1 red/yellow pepper, sliced I used a Fiesta Pepper that I found at Trader Joe's
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
1/4 cup toasted pistachios
2 tbsp fresh mint
1 cup quinoa
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 1/2 cup almond milk

Instructions

Add quinoa, maple syrup, sea salt and almond milk to bowl and stir well. If using Instant Pot, cook on high pressure for 8 minutes; let pressure release naturally, approximately 15 minutes. If NOT using the Instant Pot, cook according to package directions.
Add spinach, arugula, blueberries, raspberries, pepper, onions and peaches to salad bowl. Top with pistachios, mint and dressing.

Notes

Notes: I used a lemon dressing with this salad, but you can use your favorite. My recipe included 1/4 cup of olive oil, juice of 1 lemon, 2 tbsp white balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp lemon zest and salt and pepper to taste. Blend in small blender.