Spring Quinoa Salad: Fresh, easy, and packed with amazing ingredients, dressed in a zippy lemon vinaigrette. Serve alongside grilled steak for a protein-packed meal.
Spring Quinoa Salad
Just when I think spring is around the corner, I wake up the next day to a few inches of snow on the ground. I love springtime, and especially all the spring produce that comes with it: carrots, beets, peas, asparagus, arugula, and fresh herbs are among my favorites! (This Citrus and Beet Salad is the BEST.)
Despite the fact that I still need to wear a coat when I go outside, I’m sharing Spring Quinoa Salad to get ready for spring. This salad contains fresh herbs, sugar snap peas, and a refreshing lemon dressing. Add some “cheater” quick pickled red onions, candied almonds, and crumbled goat cheese, and you’ll be in quinoa salad heaven!
Since it has been warm enough to use my grill, I threw some steaks on the other day and found they were the perfect complement to this salad. Of course, it’s still great without the steak, but if you’re looking to make a more filling meal, you’ve got to try the two together!
How to Make Spring Quinoa Salad
- Cook the quinoa: Follow this guide on how to cook quinoa and then allow the quinoa to completely cool. I like making quinoa a day before I need it, to give it plenty of time to chill.
- Prep the dressing: The dressing is very simple and quick to make; simply pulse everything together in a food processor or blender.
- Cook the steak: If you’re adding some steak to this salad, see my tips below for how I like to cook the steak for this salad.
- Assemble: Toss together the quinoa, all the prepped veggies, the delicious lemon dressing, cheese, and finally the almonds. I LOVE using these Honey Roasted Almonds in this salad. If using regular sliced almonds, you may want to candy them (use the directions in this Mandarin Orange Salad) or lightly toast them.
Quick Tip
Quinoa contains a natural coating called saponin, which is quite bitter. Be sure the quinoa you use is either pre-rinsed, or rinse it yourself by placing the quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve and rinsing thoroughly under running water.
Spring Quinoa Salad Variation Ideas
Spring Quinoa Salad Variation Ideas- Quinoa salad with chicken: Using this chicken marinade, grill up some chicken and serve on top of this salad.
- Change up cheeses: If you don’t like goat’s cheese, try feta cheese instead. To make this completely dairy free, simply omit the cheese topping.
- Additions: I will sometimes add in chopped avocado, or a few roasted chickpeas, or even roasted asparagus (chopped and slightly cooled) to change things up a bit.
- To make the quinoa salad vegan: Omit the cheese and use maple syrup in place of honey in the dressing.
Tips for cooking the steak (optional)
- Generously oil your grill grates. I do this by rolling up a few paper towels, drenching them in oil (I use canola), and using tongs, rub the drenched paper towels along the grill grates. Doing this will contribute to a beautiful sear and ensure the meat doesn’t stick to the grates.
- Fully preheat your grill. I know it’s hard to wait but adding meat to a fully preheated grill will sear the surface of the meat; that will give you a juicier steak. It also allows the steak to get an amazing char.
- Let the steak rest. After taking the cooked steak off the grill, give it some time to rest before eating. This allows the juices to re-distribute evenly throughout the meat. I do this by covering my steak with a piece of foil and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes before cutting into it. When you do cut into it, make sure to cut it against the grain.
Other Popular Salad Recipes
- Spring Salad with asparagus
- Chickpea Salad RAVE Reviews
- Quinoa Salad with Avocado
- Couscous Salad Greek inspired
- More easy quinoa recipes here!
Recipe adapted from Buzzfeed
Spring Quinoa Salad
Equipment
- Food Processor or blender
Ingredients
Salad
Optional Steak Addition
- 1 pound boneless steak I recommend New York Strip, 2 (8-ounce) steaks
- 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1-1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
Dressing
- 2 large lemons
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
- 1/3 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Combine diced red onion, red wine vinegar, and 1 teaspoon sea salt in a small bowl. Set aside and stir occasionally. Cook quinoa according to package directions and allow to cool completely. (Refrigerate to hurry it along if needed). Slice sugar snap peas, chop fresh basil, and set aside.
- Zest and juice lemons to get 3 teaspoons zest and 6 tablespoons juice. Combine lemon zest and juice with all dressing ingredients, except the oil, in a food processor or blender. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (I add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, but add to preference.) Blend until well incorporated and zest has been broken down. Slowly add oil in a steady stream and pulse until just combined and emulsified. Avoid blending oil for an extended period as it can make the oil taste metallic. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- In a small bowl, stir together cumin, coriander, and 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Sprinkle this mixture evenly on all sides of the steaks. Heat a grill or grill pan to high heat (or a large pan to medium-high heat). Rub an oil-drenched paper towel over grill grates or ridges in the grill pan. (Or add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan.) Place steak on grill or pan (it should sizzle when it hits the pan) and cook 3–5 minutes per side, flipping the steak only once, or until a thermometer (inserted in the thickest part of the steak) registers 130°F (for medium rare). Remove from heat and lightly cover with foil and allow to rest 5–10 minutes.
- While the steak rests, assemble the salad. In a large bowl, add cooled quinoa, sliced peas, goat cheese, red onion mixture (add it all in, even remaining juices), and basil. Add in dressing to taste; (You may not use all the dressing—add to personal preference—I like a lot!) gently toss the salad. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the almonds on top and serve with sliced steak on the side (cut against the grain).
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Is the calorie count without the steak?
Without!