4.8 from 42 votes
Spring Quinoa Salad Recipe
This spring quinoa salad is the perfect way to kick off the season! It’s loaded with crisp asparagus, sweet peas, fresh herbs, and avocado all tossed together with a honey-lemon vinaigrette. Nourishing, easy to make, and perfect for meal prep!
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Additional Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 37 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 353 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
North American
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 ¾ cups water
- 1 small bunch asparagus trimmed
- 3 scallions finely chopped
- 1 cup shelled peas fresh or thawed from frozen
- ¼ cup fresh dill chopped
- ¼ cup fresh mint chopped
- Avocado and toasted almonds to serve
Lemon VInaigrette
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- Zest from 1 unwaxed lemon
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- kosher salt to taste
Instructions
- Combine the quinoa and water in a medium-sized pot and bring the pot to a boil. Lower the heat, cover the pot, and simmer for 12 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered for another 10 minutes. Transfer the cooked quinoa to a wide, shallow bowl and put it into your fridge to cool completely.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and place a bowl of ice water next to the stove. Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes or until just tender. Quickly transfer the asparagus to the ice water to halt the cooking process. Once cooled, remove and slice into 1-inch pieces.
- To make the dressing, add all ingredients to a jar and shake to combine.
- To assemble the salad, toss the quinoa, blanched asparagus, scallions, peas, dill, and mint in a large mixing bowl. Add the dressing and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature with sliced avocado and a handful of toasted almonds.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- If you're in a hurry, spread the cooked quinoa out on a baking sheet in a thin layer and put it into your fridge. It cools much faster this way than it does in a bowl!
Nutrition Information
Serving
1 = ¼ of the recipe
Calories
353kcal
(18%)
Carbohydrates
44g
(15%)
Protein
11g
(22%)
Fat
16g
(25%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
11g
Sodium
23mg
(1%)
Potassium
637mg
(18%)
Fiber
8g
(32%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
1571IU
(31%)
Vitamin C
32mg
(36%)
Calcium
80mg
(8%)
Iron
5mg
(28%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 353
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 = ¼ of the recipe | |
| Calories | 353kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 44g | 15% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Sodium | 23mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 637mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 8g | 32% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 1571IU | 31% |
| Vitamin C | 32mg | 36% |
| Calcium | 80mg | 8% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.