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4.9 from 30 votes

Autumn Quinoa Salad with Lemon Turmeric Dressing

Balance out the heavier cooked down and roasted flavors of fall with this light and tangy Autumn Quinoa Salad with homemade Lemon Turmeric Dressing. 

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 2 large salads
Calories: 431 kcal
Course: Salad , Lunch
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Quinoa
  • 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa* $0.85
  • 1/8 tsp salt $0.01
Lemon Turmeric Dressing
  • 2 Tbsp almond butter $0.44
  • 3 Tbsp hot water $0.00
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice $0.12
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp ground turmeric $0.02
  • 1 tsp sugar $0.02
  • 1/8 tsp salt $0.01
  • freshly cracked pepper (about 1/8 tsp) $0.02
Salad
  • 4 cups baby greens $1.66
  • 1 granny smith apple $1.24
  • 2 Tbsp dried cranberries $0.14
  • 2 Tbsp sliced almonds $0.33

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Rinse the quinoa well in a fine wire mesh sieve. Add the quinoa, 1/8 tsp salt, and 3/4 cup water to a small sauce pot. Place a lid on top and bring it up to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, turn the heat down to low and let it simmer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes the quinoa should be tender. Spread the quinoa out over a tray or baking dish, then place it in the refrigerator to cool for about 10 minutes.
  2. While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the lemon turmeric dressing. In a bowl or jar, combine the almond butter, hot water (start with 2 Tbsp), lemon juice, ground ginger, ground turmeric, sugar, salt, and pepper (about 5 cranks of a pepper mill). Stir very well until the almond butter fully combines with the liquid and the mixture is smooth. Add more water, if needed, to make the dressing smooth and pourable (I used 3 Tbsp total). Place the dressing in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  3. Thinly slice the Granny Smith apple.
  4. To build the salads, place 2 cups of baby greens in each large bowl. Add half of the apples slices to each, then spoon about 1/2 cup cooked and cooled quinoa over top. Sprinkle one tablespoon each of dried cranberries and sliced almonds on each salad. Finally, drizzle the lemon turmeric dressing on top, and serve.

Notes

  • *I used rainbow colored quinoa because the colors went with the Autumn theme, but plain white quinoa is probably less expensive. If using pre-cooked quinoa, you'll need about 1 cup total for two salads.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1Serving Calories 431kcal (22%) Carbohydrates 63g (21%) Protein 13g (26%) Fat 17g (26%) Sodium 317mg (13%) Fiber 9g (36%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2large salads

Amount Per Serving

Calories 431

% Daily Value*

Serving 1Serving
Calories 431kcal 22%
Carbohydrates 63g 21%
Protein 13g 26%
Fat 17g 26%
Sodium 317mg 13%
Fiber 9g 36%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.