Name: Thai Quinoa Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa; 2 cups water; 1 cup bell peppers, diced; 1 cup carrots, grated; 1 cup cucumber, diced; 1/2 cup red cabbage, shredded; 1/4 cup green onions, sliced; 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped; 1/2 cup peanuts, chopped; 1/4 cup peanut butter; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon maple syrup; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 1 clove garlic, minced; Water to thin, as needed

Vibrant Thai Quinoa Salad with fresh vegetables and herbs

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Why Make This Recipe

Thai Quinoa Salad is a colorful and nutritious dish that is perfect for a light meal or as a side. It combines fresh veggies with protein-packed quinoa and a tasty peanut dressing. This salad is not only healthy but also very easy to prepare. It’s great for meal prep and can be enjoyed by everyone, including those who follow a gluten-free diet.

How to Make Thai Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
1 cup bell peppers, diced
1 cup carrots, grated
1 cup cucumber, diced
1/2 cup red cabbage, shredded
1/4 cup green onions, sliced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup peanuts, chopped

For the Peanut Dressing:

1/4 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 clove garlic, minced
Water to thin, as needed

Directions:

Rinse quinoa under cold water and combine it with water in a pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until quinoa is fluffy.
In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, bell peppers, carrots, cucumber, red cabbage, green onions, and cilantro.
In a separate bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and garlic. Add water to achieve the desired consistency.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
Top with chopped peanuts before serving.
Serve fresh or store in an airtight container for meal prep.

How to Serve Thai Quinoa Salad

You can serve Thai Quinoa Salad as is, or you can pair it with grilled chicken or tofu for extra protein. This salad is great on its own or as a side dish with any meal. Enjoy it cold or at room temperature for the best taste.

How to Store Thai Quinoa Salad

Store any leftover Thai Quinoa Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. If the salad becomes too dry, you can add a little water or extra dressing before serving.

Tips to Make Thai Quinoa Salad

Make sure to rinse the quinoa well before cooking. This removes any bitterness.
Feel free to add more veggies based on your preference, such as cherry tomatoes or snap peas.
Adjust the peanut dressing ingredients to your taste. If you like it sweeter, add more maple syrup; for a saltier flavor, increase the soy sauce.

Variation

You can customize this salad by adding proteins like grilled shrimp, chicken, or chickpeas. For a spicier kick, add some chopped jalapeños or a splash of sriracha to the dressing.

FAQs

1. Can I use another grain instead of quinoa?
Yes, you can substitute quinoa with rice, barley, or even farro, but the cooking times may vary.

2. Is this salad vegan?
Yes, Thai Quinoa Salad is vegan as long as you use a vegan-friendly peanut butter and maple syrup.

3. Can I meal prep this salad?
Absolutely! Thai Quinoa Salad is perfect for meal prep. Just store the dressing separately until you are ready to serve to keep the veggies crisp.