Berry Quinoa Salad with Citrus Honey Dressing Recipe

Introduction

This Berry Quinoa Salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish, perfect for warm days or as a light meal. Combining colorful berries, nutty quinoa, and a zesty citrus dressing, it’s both nutritious and bursting with flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 4 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped mint
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped basil
• 2 cups cooked quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups strawberries, halved
• 1 cup raspberries
• 1 cup blackberries
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup roughly chopped almonds or candied pecans
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped mint
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped basil

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the orange zest, orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, honey, 1 teaspoon chopped mint, and 1 teaspoon chopped basil to make the dressing. Set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, almonds, 1 tablespoon chopped mint, and 1 tablespoon chopped basil. Gently toss to mix.
3. Step 3: Drizzle the citrus honey dressing over the salad and gently stir again to coat everything evenly. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crunch and sweetness, use candied pecans instead of almonds.
• Make the salad ahead and keep the dressing separate until serving to keep the quinoa fluffy.
• Swap out the berries for seasonal fruits like peaches or mango for a different twist.
• Use fresh herbs for the best flavor, but dried mint and basil can work in a pinch—use about half the amount.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Dressing can be stored separately for up to 3 days. When ready to eat, toss the salad with the dressing and serve chilled or at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use quinoa that isn’t cooked fresh?

Yes, cooked quinoa can be prepared in advance and refrigerated. Just make sure it’s cooled completely before adding to the salad to prevent wilting the berries.

What can I substitute for honey if I’m vegan?

You can use maple syrup or agave nectar as a vegan-friendly sweetener substitute in the dressing without compromising the flavor.

Berry Quinoa Salad with Citrus Honey Dressing Recipe

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4.5 from 124 reviews

A refreshing and vibrant Berry Quinoa Salad featuring a medley of fresh berries, crunchy almonds, and a zesty citrus honey dressing. This nutritious salad combines cooked quinoa with strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, all enhanced by fresh herbs and a bright, tangy dressing for a perfect light meal or side dish.

• Author: Naya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes (for quinoa if cooking fresh)
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dressing

• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 4 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped mint
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped basil

Salad

• 2 cups cooked quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups strawberries, cut in half
• 1 cup raspberries
• 1 cup blackberries
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup roughly chopped almonds (or candied pecans)
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped mint
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped basil

Instructions

1. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the orange zest, fresh orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, honey, finely chopped mint, and basil until well combined. Set the dressing aside to allow the flavors to meld.
2. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa with the halved strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, roughly chopped almonds (or candied pecans), and the additional chopped mint and basil. Gently stir to mix all the ingredients evenly without crushing the berries.
3. Dress the Salad: Drizzle the prepared citrus honey dressing over the quinoa berry mixture. Gently toss the salad again to coat everything evenly with the dressing.
4. Serve: Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste, or chill briefly if preferred. This dish works wonderfully as a light lunch or a side salad to complement many main courses.

Notes

• Use fresh, ripe berries for the best flavor and texture.
• Quinoa should be cooked and cooled before adding to the salad to prevent sogginess.
• Almonds can be substituted with candied pecans for added sweetness and crunch.
• The salad can be prepared a few hours ahead; store covered in the refrigerator to keep fresh.
• Adjust the honey quantity in the dressing according to preferred sweetness.

Keywords: Berry Quinoa Salad, healthy salad, fresh berries, quinoa salad, citrus dressing, vegetarian salad, summer salad, light meal