I’m excited about this quinoa salad with orange and grapes. I LOVE it. It’s hands-down the best salad that I’ve tasted so far this season. (I know I say that about every salad. I’m just a salad girl. What can I say, salads get me excited!) How long it takes: 15 minutes, plus 10 minutes to cook the quinoa (you can do that ahead) Equipment you’ll need: saucepan, mixing bowl, zester or microplane Servings: 8 side servings or 4 main course servings We’ve been eating a lot of vegetarian salads with more of a Mediterranean vibe lately, like this chopped Greek salad or Israeli couscous salad. Everyone loves my Caprese pasta salad, too, but I think we need a break from the tomatoes and cucumbers. This quinoa salad is so refreshing and the flavors are perfect. The grapes are sweet and soft, the celery crisp and fresh, and the orange segments and zest make everything so lively and exciting. Salted almonds add a savory crunch.
What You’ll Love About This Quinoa Salad
The ingredients (oranges, grapes, celery) are available year round. This isn’t a seasonal salad that relies on ingredients that are only around for a limited time. You can enjoy this salad any time of the year. It’s super versatile. You can add nuts, seeds, cheese, even chicken if you like. Dried fruits like raisins or cranberries are a great addition, and seasonal fresh fruit can stand in for the grapes. Keep reading for lots more ideas. You can prep the quinoa ahead. You can put this salad together in 15 minutes if you have the quinoa made ahead. I almost always have already-cooked quinoa in my freezer or fridge. I cook the entire package of quinoa at once (try Instant Pot quinoa) so it’s ready when I need it. I love quinoa salads (see a list below) and I also add quinoa to other recipes, like pancakes or savory breakfast muffins.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I’ll run through the recipe here to get you started. Be sure to refer to the recipe card below for measurements, instructions, and nutrition information.
Quinoa: You’ll need a cup of uncooked quinoa. You can make quinoa ahead and either freeze or refrigerate it. Quinoa comes in different colors: red, black, or white; choose your favorite kind. The quinoa pictured in this salad is white. Red Grapes: Either red or green grapes are fine but I like the color contrast of red grapes for this salad. Cut the grapes in half so they are easier to eat. Celery: Crisp green celery provides a nice crunch. Did you know that celery has important antioxidants, fiber, and minerals that are beneficial to your health? Red Onion: You can substitute a sweet onion if you prefer. To reduce the assertive flavor of onions, soak the diced onion in ice water for 10 minutes or so. Drain well. Oranges: You’ll need 2 navel oranges and none of the orange will go to waste because the zest and juice go in the vinaigrette and the juicy segments go into the salad too. Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This heart-healthy oil has so much flavor. It brings a lot to the salad so aim for a high quality olive oil (the greener the better!). White Wine Vinegar: Slightly sweet in flavor, white wine vinegar blends perfectly with the orange juice to make a juicy, yummy dressing. Honey: I like to enhance the natural sweetness of the fruit with just a smidge of honey. If your honey is crystallized or super thick, warm it up a bit in the microwave before adding it to the vinaigrette. If you happen to follow a vegan diet, simply substitute maple syrup or agave, or leave it out entirely. Almonds: Salted roasted almonds add the finishing touch to the salad. If you prefer a different kind of nut, that’s totally acceptable. Be sure to toast/roast the nuts before you add them to the salad for the best flavor.
How To Make This Quinoa Salad
The first thing you’ll need to do is cook the quinoa. Follow the package directions. When the quinoa is cooked, spread it out on a rimmed baking pan or tray so it cools more quickly. Next, prep the oranges. Using a microplane or zester, zest one of the oranges first. It’s so much easier to zest an orange when it’s whole! Next, segment the oranges. If you are uncertain how to do this, this short Youtube video from Real Simple is very helpful. In a large bowl, lightly combine the cooled quinoa, orange segments, grapes, celery, and onion. Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients: the freshly squeezed orange juice, orange zest, olive oil, honey, and white wine vinegar. Add the vinaigrette to the salad, and stir until well combined. Taste a spoonful of salad to check the seasoning. You may want to add a pinch of kosher salt and a couple of grinds of black pepper. Add the chopped almonds right before serving. Your salad can be served immediately or refrigerated for up to three days. It’s delicious at room temperature or chilled.
Change It Up
This is a pretty simple salad and it’s easy to customize it. Use what you have in the fridge. Here are a few suggestions to get you thinking:
Make it a main dish salad: Add toasted pecans, toasted walnuts, almonds, or sunflower seeds for extra protein. Add cheese: feta, goat, gorgonzola, smoked gouda, fresh mozzarella, whatever you like. A can of garbanzo beans (rinsed and drained) adds more protein. Meat lovers, stir in cooked and cooled chicken breast or rotisserie chicken. Try different fruit and vegetable combinations: strawberries and spinach leaves, peaches and jicama, orange sections and avocado. Cooked beets, especially golden beets, go really well in this salad (boil them or make Instant Pot beets). Include dried fruits: Dried fruits, like cranberries, apricots, cherries, dates, or raisins are a lovely addition. Add chopped fresh herbs: A handful of parsley, lemon balm, fresh mint, or basil is always a good idea! Make it vegan: Omit the honey and use maple syrup or agave instead.
Storage & Make Ahead Tips
If you prefer, make this salad ahead. It keeps well for up to three days. I prefer to hold the chopped nuts and add them right before serving so they retain their crunch. Refrigerate it in a tightly covered container (or individual sized containers) and serve it whenever you’re ready. Perfect for lunchboxes, too!
