Cherry, Pistachio, and Mint Quinoa Salad Recipe
A refreshing and vibrant Cherry, Pistachio, and Mint Quinoa Salad combining nutty quinoa with sweet cherries, crunchy pistachios, and fresh mint, dressed with bright apple cider vinegar and lemon juice. This salad is perfect as a light meal or a side dish, offering a delightful balance of flavors and textures, served chilled or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Quinoa Base
- 1 cup dried quinoa
- 1 3/4 cups water
Salad Mix
- 1 lb. cherries (about 2 cups), pitted and sliced in half
- 1/2 cup pistachios
- 1/4 red onion (or 1 small shallot), minced
- 1/4 cup mint, chopped
Dressing & Seasoning
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Mineral salt & fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Optional
- A handful baby arugula, optional
Instructions
- Cook the Quinoa: In a medium-size pot or pan, combine the quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 15 minutes until the water is absorbed. Remove from heat, uncover, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes to steam. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and allow it to cool almost completely before assembling the salad.
- Mix the Salad: In a large mixing bowl or the same pot used for cooking quinoa, combine the cooked quinoa, pitted and sliced cherries, pistachios, minced shallot, chopped mint, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Toss everything well to ensure even distribution of flavors. Add the optional baby arugula if using and mix gently.
- Serve: This salad can be enjoyed at room temperature or chilled in the refrigerator. Adjust seasoning if needed before serving.
- Store Leftovers: Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5-6 days, maintaining freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure quinoa is fully cooled before adding fresh ingredients to prevent wilting or cooking them further.
- Pitting cherries can be done easily using a cherry pitter or by slicing and removing pits by hand.
- Adjust the amount of mint and apple cider vinegar to your taste preference for a brighter or more subtle flavor.
- Baby arugula is optional but adds a nice peppery bite and extra greens to the salad.
- This salad is gluten-free and suitable for vegetarians.
Keywords: quinoa salad, cherry salad, pistachio salad, mint salad, healthy salad, gluten free salad, vegetarian quinoa salad
