Quinoa fruit salad is perfect for any patriotic-themed holiday. This healthy salad recipe is vegan, gluten free, dairy free, protein-rich, and delicious! It’s my submission for day 2 of Kick Off to Summer Week, a multi-blogger event co-hosted by Lauren of From Gate to Plate and Summer of Summer Scraps.
Memorial Day is less than 2 weeks away, and summer’s not far behind. That’s why we’ve teamed up to give you ideas for your warm weather party activities. Each day this week, we’ll be serving up a variety of recipes and ideas for you. Everything from appetizers, main dishes, and desserts, to decor and printables. We hope you enjoy all of these wonderful ideas! You can also follow #KickOffToSummerWeek2014 on Twitter to keep up to date with all of our spectacular ideas and giveaways.
I adore the colors in this quinoa salad recipe, but I love it even more for its health benefits. It took me quite a while to jump onto the quinoa lovers train, but now that I have, I’m taking it to the end of the line with me. It’s starchy enough that I feel like I’m really splurging on carbs, but it’s super high in protein and fiber, making it a lower carb food. I listed some awesome #FoodFacts on quinoa in my vegetable quinoa salad recipe post.
In addition to the quinoa, I used fresh strawberries and blueberries in this quinoa fruit salad, then I tossed everything with a delicious citrus vinaigrette dressing. The dressing is made with fresh orange and lime juices, heart healthy olive oil, rice vinegar, and a little bit of honey for sweetness. It all adds up to pure deliciousness, and it’ll make you want to shout, “It’s yummi!”
I hope you enjoy this quinoa fruit salad recipe!
Patriotic Quinoa Salad
This patriotic quinoa salad will be the hit of your Memorial Day or Independence Day party. Fresh berries and quinoa are tossed in citrus vinaigrette. Yum!
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked quinoa (1/2 cup uncooked)
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 8 ounces fresh strawberries hulled and diced
Citrus Dressing
- 2 ounces (1/4 liquid cup) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- juice of one medium orange (about 3 tablespoons)
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
Instructions
- Cook quinoa according to package directions. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- To the bowl, add blueberries and diced strawberries; set bowl aside.
- To a small bowl or a blender, add oil, vinegar, orange and lime juice, honey, and mustard. Whisk or blend until combined. Pour over quinoa and vegetables and use a spoon or salad tongs to toss,
- For tastiest results, cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together.
Recipe Notes
Don’t miss out on a single recipe of this kick off to summer!
In addition to my patriotic quinoa fruit salad, here are the other recipes being shared today.
Please click through and visit these awesome bloggers! I’ll have another delicious recipe for you on Thursday, for a delicious dessert that’ll be a BANG at your Memorial Day and 4th of July parties. I hope you’ll come back and see me!
Soft Butterscotch S’more Cookies by From Gate to Plate
Crunchy Peanut Butter Cookies by Keep it Simple, Sweetie
Salmon Burgers by The Haas Machine
Summer Letter Set by Summer Scraps
Creamy Corn Salad by Forty Eighteen
Classic Potato Salad by Clarks Condensed
Mini Cake Mix Sandwich Cookie Bites by Lady Behind The Curtain
Grilled Stuffed Flank Steak by Love in the Kitchen
Sun-dried Tomatoes – How to by Food Lust People Love
Carol says
Do I wait for the quinoa to cool or add everything while it’s still hot?
Becca says
Hi Carol,
You can make the fruit salad while the quinoa is warm if you want to. Quinoa cools down pretty quickly, though, or you can place it into a bowl over an ice water bath to help it cool down quickly.
Tolani says
I made this yummy salad for a 4th of July party last year. I’ve been asked to bring it again!
Chef Becca says
I’m so glad you enjoy the recipe! Happy 4th of July 🙂
Kellye says
This was amazing!! So simple and easy so I credited you when I wrote about it! Too good not to share:) you can check it out if you want.
http://www.getupanddosomething.org/4th-of-july-appetizers-5-quick-recipes/
Chef Becca says
Thank you so much for sharing it, Kellye. Happy 4th of July to you.
Christina @ It's a Keeper says
This salad is so colorful! I can’t wait to try it!
Chef Becca says
Thanks so much! I loved the fresh colors and tastes of it!
Lauren says
Hmmm… I’ve never tried quinoa before, but this salad with the berries makes me want to! 🙂
Chef Becca says
I hope you give it a try some time, Lauren! Quinoa is a great alternative to rice…less carbs (sugar) and more protein, and really delicious!
Summer says
I have never tried Quinoa but this salad makes me want to!
Chef Becca says
I hope you give it a try, Summer! Quinoa has the consistency of REALLY light, fluffy rice. It’s much lighter than that, though. SO delicious!
Renee @ CreativeMamaMessyHouse says
This looks delicious and something kids of all ages would enjoy! Would love to add a link to it (with proper credit of course to my Farmer’s Market Friday menu plan for “Memorial Day Picnic” next week!
Chef Becca says
Thank you, Renee! As long as it’s just a link and my content is not used, I’d love and appreciate the share!
Liz says
What a festive salad! Another delicious way to use quinoa!!!
Chef Becca says
Thanks, Lizzy! Food tastes better when it’s festive 🙂
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
This is so colorful & fun!
Chef Becca says
Thank you, Colleen!
David @ Spiced says
This sounds really tasty, Becca…I would never have thought about adding fruit to a quinoa salad, but now I totally need to make this! Perfect for summer!
Chef Becca says
Thanks so much, Dave! The quinoa takes on the fruit flavors and just bursts with deliciousness in your mouth! I hope you have a chance to try it 🙂
Stacy says
Well, if that isn’t just about the prettiest salad I’ve seen in a good while. Love the mix of fruit and flavors, Becca!
Chef Becca says
Stacy, thank you so much! Your sweet comment and compliment have truly made my day! I was having one of those UGH moments this morning, where my self esteem felt like it might self-destruct at any given moment. You really helped to remedy that <3
Indre @ cupcakesnmiracles says
I never did quinoa salad myself yet. Have to give a try as soon as we have fresh strawberries.
Chef Becca says
I hope you’re able to make it… and enjoy it, Indre!
Kelley says
This looks so good! I havent tried quinoa with anything sweet yet so I can’t wait to try this recipe! YUM!
Chef Becca says
Thanks, Kelley! I’m beginning to think that quinoa is a delicious sponge, because it doesn’t taste like much on its own, but it seems to soak up the flavors of whatever it’s paired with!
Kaylin says
This looks so delicious! I can’t wait to serve this at my next cookout! So fresh! 🙂
Chef Becca says
Thank you so much, Kaylin! I hope you enjoy it. Have fun at those cookouts!
Karen @BakingInATornado says
I’ve tried many times to jump on the quinoa train but it keeps leaving the station without me. It’s frustrating because I know it’s healthy but I just haven’t liked any of the recipes I’ve tried. If anyone can develop a recipe I’ll like I know it’s you.
Chef Becca says
I’ve heard you talk about going through challenging times and I’ve seen your courage with creepy things in your house… I just KNOW that you can handle giving quinoa another try, Karen! This is really just a nice fruit salad with a little dressing on it… tossed with some fluffy goodness. Give it a little love, would ya, please? 🙂