This beautiful Thai quinoa salad recipe was initially posted in 2013, the yr I met my now-husband. I don’t wish to change this submit an excessive amount of as a result of frankly, I wish to preserve the written reminiscences right here about our first date. It’s so candy.

What I did change about this recipe have been the pictures, suggestions, and methods to make it gluten free & vegan. Whoo hoo!

For these of you who don’t know, this recipe is among the hottest recipes on Bold Kitchen!

So with out additional ado, right here’s the story about how we first met:

I simply obtained again from trip in Arizona. I had so many enjoyable nights I can’t even start to inform you. The meals, the margs, driving round in a crimson convertible, absorbing the sunshine, swimming at night time, baseball video games, Mexican meals, Froyo, plus a visit to Sprinkles cupcakes!

I wish to be on trip for the remainder of my life.

Humorous sufficient, I additionally went on a date throughout my journey! (Essentially the most random issues occur to me, I swear.) I met him by means of a pal and we hit it off. On our date, we went to the zoo, ate actually good Italian meals, and laughed hysterically. I don’t assume he reads my weblog, so for my part, it’s completely okay to speak about how candy he was.

FYI: I advised him concerning the life-changing cookies and I feel he was bought.

Critically you guys, I’ve to cease telling folks concerning the taste profile of brown butter and people freaking cookies; it’s simply too nerdy. Particularly on dates.

However however however! What I actually need to do is to come back to grips with actuality and settle for that there aren’t any extra margs or FroYo in my close to future. All I want in my life now is a beautiful wholesome salad.

You in?

Substances on this Thai-inspired quinoa salad

I like that this salad can simply be vegan and gluten-free, and it’s extremely crunch-tastic (not a phrase, however must be). There’s a great deal of goodness right here: numerous veggies and a creamy peanut butter dressing with a touch of ginger is completely TO DIE FOR. Right here’s what you’ll have to make it:

• Quinoa: as you most likely know by now, the bottom of this salad is made with nutritious, hearty quinoa. One in every of my fav grains for salads!
• Veggies: this salad is SO colourful and loaded with shredded cabbage, crimson bell pepper, crimson onion, shredded carrots, cilantro & inexperienced onions.
• Nuts: I like so as to add additional crunch with cashews or peanuts (particularly honey-roasted).
• For the dressing: that creamy peanut dressing is made with all pure peanut butter, contemporary ginger, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil & olive oil. I like Wild Mates peanut butter, and you need to use the code ‘AMBITIOUS15’ for 15% off!

In the long run, the substances all meld collectively completely and by some means the salad simply works fantastically — plus it’s filling too! If you wish to make this a whole meal otherwise you’re craving extra, I recommend including edamame or chickpeas.

Oh and like just about every thing else on this weblog, I find it irresistible from the underside of my coronary heart. Duh.

Customise this Thai quinoa salad

Have enjoyable customizing this salad along with your fav substances or ones you’ve gotten available!

• Select your veggies: you’ll be able to actually use any veggies you’ve gotten lurking in your fridge. Chopped broccoli or shredded brussels sprouts can be excellent in right here.
• Hold it vegan: merely use agave or pure maple syrup as an alternative of the honey in your dressing.
• Attempt a brand new grain: I feel this salad can be pretty with couscous, orzo, farro, or rice noodles!
• Go grain free: you may additionally swap the quinoa for kale, or double up the veggies to make it a hearty, grain free salad.

Trying so as to add a lift of protein?

This Thai quinoa salad is the right base to your fav meat or plant-based proteins. Right here’s what I recommend:

The perfect Thai quinoa salad in 4 easy steps

1. Cook dinner the quinoa. Begin by cooking your quinoa till it’s good and fluffy. Set it apart to chill when you make the dressing.
2. Make the dressing. Warmth the peanut butter and honey within the microwave so to simply combine them, then whisk in the remainder of the dressing substances till it’s good and clean.
3. Costume the quinoa. Toss somewhat little bit of the dressing along with your cooled quinoa in order that it began to soak up the flavors properly. Then fold in your entire veggies and toss with the remainder of the dressing.
4. Garnish & serve. High the salad with cashews and additional inexperienced onions, then serve with a squeeze of lime juice and luxuriate in!

Methods to prepare dinner the right fluffy quinoa

Get all of my greatest suggestions and methods for cooking completely fluffy quinoa right here!

Storing suggestions

Hold this vegan Thai quinoa salad in an hermetic container within the fridge for about 3-4 days. This salad can simply be made the day earlier than, too, and might be scrumptious served the subsequent day!

So sure, my husband and I met whereas I used to be on trip. Per week later, he requested me to ship him the life-changing cookies, and now almost 5 years later, we’re married. Cute story, huh?

Extra wholesome salad recipes you’ll love

Get all of my salad recipes right here!

If you happen to make this Thai quinoa salad recipe, be sure you go away a remark beneath and fee the recipe! You too can snap and movie and submit it on Instagram utilizing the hashtag #ambitiouskitchen. And naturally be sure you observe Bold Kitchen on Instagram. xo!

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

Crunchy, flavorful Thai-inspired quinoa salad crammed with rainbow veggies and tossed in a creamy peanut ginger dressing. This straightforward Thai quinoa salad is scrumptious as-is and nice for customizing along with your favourite proteins! Excellent for meal prep lunches, picnics or events. This salad is a crowd-pleaser!

Substances

• ¾
  cup
  raw quinoa
• 2
  cups
  shredded crimson cabbage, relying on how a lot crunch you want
• 1
  crimson bell pepper, diced
• 1/4
  cup
  diced crimson onion
• 1
  cup
  shredded carrots
• ½
  cup
  chopped cilantro
• ¼
  cup
  diced inexperienced onions
• ½
  cup
  cashew halves or peanuts (honey-roasted is sweet)
• Non-compulsory: 1 cup edamame or chickpeas
• Recent lime, for a little bit of tang
• For the dressing:
• ¼
  cup
  all pure 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 crimson wine vinegar
• 1
  teaspoon
  sesame oil
• 1
  teaspoon
  olive oil or extra sesame oil
• Water to skinny, if vital

Directions

1. To prepare dinner quinoa: In a medium saucepan, deliver 1 ½ cups of water to a boil. Add in quinoa and produce combination to a boil. Cowl, cut back warmth to low and let simmer for quarter-hour or till quinoa has absorbed the entire water. Take away from warmth and fluff quinoa with fork; place in giant bowl and put aside to chill for about 10 minutes. You need to have somewhat over 2 cups of quinoa.

2. To make dressing: Add peanut butter and honey or agave to a medium microwave protected bowl; warmth in microwave for 20 seconds. Add in ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, and each sesame and olive oil and stir till combination is clean and creamy. If you need a thinner dressing, merely stir in a teaspoon or two of water or olive oil.

3. Add as a lot or as little dressing as you’d prefer to the quinoa. I all the time begin out with somewhat little bit of dressing and normally add extra to go well with my style preferences. Alternatively it can save you the dressing for later and add if you find yourself able to eat; nevertheless the flavors of the dressing normally soak into the salad so I like including it to the quinoa first.

4. Subsequent fold in crimson pepper, onion, cabbage, carrots, and cilantro into the quinoa. Garnish with cashews and inexperienced onions. Serve chilled or at room temperature with lime wedges, if desired.

Recipe Notes

See the total submit for suggestions, methods & methods to customise this salad!

To retailer: retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for about 3-4 days. This salad can simply be made the day earlier than, too, and might be scrumptious served the subsequent day!

Diet

Servings: 6 servings

Serving dimension: 1 serving

Energy: 260kcal

Fats: 13.5g

Carbohydrates: 27.7g

Fiber: 4.3g

Sugar: 7g

Protein: 8.6g

This submit was initially revealed on April eleventh, 2019, and republished on February ninth, 2023.