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Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad {vegan, gluten-free}

Crunchy, flavorful Thai-inspired quinoa salad filled with rainbow veggies and tossed in a creamy peanut ginger dressing. This easy Thai quinoa salad is delicious as-is and great for customizing with your favorite proteins! Perfect for meal prep lunches, picnics or parties. This salad is a crowd-pleaser!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 260 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Salad , Lunch
Cuisine: Asian , Thai , Vegan

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup uncooked quinoa
  • 2 cups shredded red cabbage, depending on how much crunch you like
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro
  • ¼ cup diced green onions
  • ½ cup cashew halves or peanuts (honey-roasted is good)
  • Optional: 1 cup edamame or chickpeas
  • Fresh lime, for a bit of tang
  • For the dressing:
  • ¼ cup all natural peanut butter
  • 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
  • 3 tablespoon gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos
  • 1 tablespoon honey (use agave or pure maple syrup if vegan)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil or more sesame oil
  • Water to thin, if necessary

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. To cook quinoa: In a medium saucepan, bring 1 ½ cups of water to a boil. Add in quinoa and bring mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and let simmer for 15 minutes or until quinoa has absorbed all of the water. Remove from heat and fluff quinoa with fork; place in large bowl and set aside to cool for about 10 minutes. You should have a little over 2 cups of quinoa.
  2. To make dressing: Add peanut butter and honey or agave to a medium microwave safe bowl; heat in microwave for 20 seconds. Add in ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, and both sesame and olive oil and stir until mixture is smooth and creamy. If you want a thinner dressing, simply stir in a teaspoon or two of water or olive oil.
  3. Add as much or as little dressing as you’d like to the quinoa. I always start out with a little bit of dressing and usually add more to suit my taste preferences. Alternatively you can save the dressing for later and add when you are ready to eat; however the flavors of the dressing usually soak into the salad so I love adding it to the quinoa first.
  4. Next fold in red pepper, onion, cabbage, carrots, and cilantro into the quinoa. Garnish with cashews and green onions. Serve chilled or at room temperature with lime wedges, if desired.

Notes

  • See the full post for tips, tricks & ways to customize this salad!
  • To store: store in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-4 days. This salad can easily be made the day before, too, and will be delicious served the next day!

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 260cal (13%) Carbohydrates 27.7g (9%) Protein 8.6g (17%) Fat 13.5g (21%) Fiber 4.3g (17%) Sugar 7g (14%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 260

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 260cal 13%
Carbohydrates 27.7g 9%
Protein 8.6g 17%
Fat 13.5g 21%
Fiber 4.3g 17%
Sugar 7g 14%

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