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Thai Quinoa Crunch Salad Recipe

4.9 from 67 reviews

A vibrant and refreshing Thai Quinoa Crunch Salad combining fluffy quinoa with colorful vegetables, crunchy peanuts, and a tangy, flavorful sesame-soy dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or side dish, this salad offers a delightful blend of textures and authentic Thai flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Quinoa Base

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups water

Vegetables & Herbs

  • 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 cup green onions, sliced
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Crunchy Elements

  • 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
  • 1/4 cup sesame seeds

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook Quinoa: In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until quinoa is fluffy and all the water has been absorbed. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
  2. Prepare Salad Base: In a large bowl, mix together the cooled quinoa, diced red bell pepper, cucumber, shredded carrots, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, chopped peanuts, and sesame seeds to combine all the fresh and crunchy elements.
  3. Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and well integrated, creating a tangy and flavorful dressing.
  4. Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the quinoa and vegetable mixture in the large bowl. Gently toss everything together to ensure every bite is evenly coated with the delicious dressing.
  5. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing, nutritious dish.

Notes

  • This salad can be made a few hours ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator to deepen the flavors.
  • For a nut-free version, substitute peanuts with roasted chickpeas or omit entirely.
  • Adjust the honey and lime juice in the dressing for your preferred balance of sweet and tart.
  • Serve as a light main dish or alongside grilled chicken or seafood for a complete meal.

Keywords: Thai quinoa salad, crunchy quinoa salad, quinoa vegetable salad, sesame dressing salad, healthy Thai salad, vegetarian quinoa recipes