Berry Quinoa Salad with Citrus Honey Dressing Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
