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Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad

August 4 2023 by Jessica 48 Comments

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The perfect make-ahead recipe! Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad is made with strawberries, blueberries, and toasted almond slices. This delicious and healthy summer salad is ready in only 25 minutes – talk about a great dish. 

The perfect make-ahead recipe! Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad is made with strawberries, blueberries and roasted almond slices. Tasty and ready in only 25 minutes, this is one great dish. | Healthy Clean Eating Salad Recipes | Healthy Salad Bowl Dinners | Healthy Bowl Clean Eating Dinners | Cold Quinoa Salad Recipes | Healthy and Easy Salad for Lunch | Potluck Salad Bowls | Healthy Homemade Salad Dressing | #salad #dinner #lunch #summerrecipe #recipe | thishappymommy.com

Summertime is a busy time. Especially when it’s middle of the summer and we celebrate my husband’s and daughter’s birthdays. With about a week and a half between the two days, it feels like birthday season in our house.

I first shared this recipe six years ago when I made it for my daughter’s third birthday party. Turning three was a whole new experience for us. My daughter helped with every aspect of party planning, from designing the invitations to choosing the music and even the menu. While cake, pizza, and fruit are always birthday party staples for us, I also wanted to include some healthier options, like this Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad.

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Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad is the perfect balance of sweet berries, nutty almonds, and delicious quinoa. It’s perfect for any celebration – whether it’s a weekend BBQ, a family get-together, or even a simple meal. With this delicious and flavorful dish, you can’t go wrong.

The perfect make-ahead recipe! Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad is made with strawberries, blueberries and roasted almond slices. Tasty and ready in only 25 minutes, this is one great dish. | Healthy Clean Eating Salad Recipes | Healthy Salad Bowl Dinners | Healthy Bowl Clean Eating Dinners | Cold Quinoa Salad Recipes | Healthy and Easy Salad for Lunch | Potluck Salad Bowls | Healthy Homemade Salad Dressing | #salad #dinner #lunch #summerrecipe #recipe | thishappymommy.com

How Healthy is a Quinoa Salad?

Quinoa is such a versatile and healthy grain grain. It’s one of the most nutritious foods – rich in fibre and antioxidants – and it has so many health benefits. It can also help improve your blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

It’s basically the little black dress of healthy grains. You can make it savoury or sweet, depending on how you prepare it. Pair it with berries, beans or even fish and meat. There are endless ways to enjoy this super food. No wonder it’s so popular these days.

Is Quinoa Healthier than Rice?

While rice is eaten all over the world, quinoa is actually healthier. Quinoa has fewer calories and carbohydrates than rice, and it has more protein and fibre.

So, if you’re looking for a tasty rice-like grain that packs a delicious punch and is healthy too – quinoa is definitely the perfect choice!

The perfect make-ahead recipe! Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad is made with strawberries, blueberries and roasted almond slices. Tasty and ready in only 25 minutes, this is one great dish. | Healthy Clean Eating Salad Recipes | Healthy Salad Bowl Dinners | Healthy Bowl Clean Eating Dinners | Cold Quinoa Salad Recipes | Healthy and Easy Salad for Lunch | Potluck Salad Bowls | Healthy Homemade Salad Dressing | #salad #dinner #lunch #summerrecipe #recipe | thishappymommy.com

How to Make Quinoa Extra Tasty

With a tasty combination of summer berries, roasted almonds and a honey-sweetened lemon dressing, Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad salad just screams summer. But what makes this salad extra tasty is one very special ingredient, vegetable broth.

Sure, it’s a great base for soups and stews, but vegetable broth also makes perfect quinoa. It adds an element of flavour that you just don’t get when you cook with water. The broth infuses the grain with a wonderfully hearty flavour that adds a savoury element to this fruit-filled salad.

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Can You Make Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad Ahead of Time?

Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad is super easy to make. And it’s the perfect make-ahead dish. You can have the berries chopped in one container, the quinoa in another, and the roasted almonds in the smallest one. Even the dressing can be made ahead of time. In fact, the dressing just gets better with time.

On the first day the lemon juice, water, honey, mint and Dijon mustard, have a fresh lemony flavour. But by the second and third day, the mint infuses the dressing, making it even more refreshing.

Whether you make Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad ahead of time or not, when it’s time to serve, everyone will love this crowd-pleasing dish.

The perfect make-ahead recipe! Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad is made with strawberries, blueberries and roasted almond slices. Tasty and ready in only 25 minutes, this is one great dish. | Healthy Clean Eating Salad Recipes | Healthy Salad Bowl Dinners | Healthy Bowl Clean Eating Dinners | Cold Quinoa Salad Recipes | Healthy and Easy Salad for Lunch | Potluck Salad Bowls | Healthy Homemade Salad Dressing | #salad #dinner #lunch #summerrecipe #recipe | thishappymommy.com

Ingredients for Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad

Get ready for a burst of flavors! Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad is as simple as it is scrumptious. You won’t believe how easy it is to whip up this healthy and satisfying salad with just a handful of ingredients.

Let’s dive into the deliciousness!

  • Vegetable Broth or Water – First things first, you’ll need some liquid to cook your quinoa. Opt for vegetable broth for an extra layer of flavor, or water works just fine too.
  • Uncooked Quinoa – Quinoa brings a nutty texture, protein, and fiber to the mix. Make sure to give it a good rinse to remove any bitterness.
  • Strawberries – Sweet, juicy strawberries add a burst of color and a refreshing fruity note to your salad. They balance the nuttiness of the quinoa.
  • Blueberries – These little gems add a dose of antioxidants and natural sweetness.
  • Sliced Almonds – Toasted sliced almonds bring a delightful crunch and a nutty depth to the salad. They’re the perfect contrast to the soft textures of the berries and quinoa.
  • Lemon Juice – A splash of fresh lemon juice brightens up the dish and adds a zesty, tangy twist.
  • Honey – A drizzle of honey adds a natural sweetness that enhances the fruity flavors.
  • Mint – Adding a hint of freshness, fresh mint leaves are like a breath of cool air in your salad.
  • Dijon Mustard – Just a dab of Dijon mustard in the dressing will bring a subtle zing to the dish. It’s a small ingredient that makes a big difference.

How to Make Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad

This salad is a fantastic mix of juicy strawberries, burst-in-your-mouth blueberries, toasty sliced almonds, and the goodness of quinoa. It’s a breeze to make, taking just 25 minutes from start to finish.

So, let’s get started!

STEP 1: PREHEAT OVEN TO 350°F (175°C)

To make the sliced almonds taste even better, this is the perfect temperature for cooking them. If you haven’t toasted almonds before, they are delicious. Toasting the almonds brings out their flavor and makes them even tastier than before.

If you don’t want to roast your sliced almonds, you may be able to find them toasted and sliced in the grocery store. Usually, we only find them sliced, which is why we toast them. Plus, they taste amazing when they are warm and fresh out of the oven.

Step 2: Prepare the Quinoa

Cooking the quinoa is the next step. You can use water or vegetable broth. And if you prefer another broth like chicken or beef, you can use that, too. We prefer the vegetable broth because it gives the quinoa a subtle vegetable flavor that works perfectly with any dish.

To prepare the quinoa, you’ll want to use a large saucepan. First add the water or vegetable broth and heat it over medium-high heat. When it begins to boil, lower the temperature to simmer and add the quinoa.

In order to help the quinoa properly cook, cover the saucepan with a lid or tin foil. Let it cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until all of the liquid is absorbed. Set it aside when the quinoa is finished cooking.

Step 3: Toast the Almonds

If your oven is finished preheating before the quinoa is cooked, you can move on to this step. Now it is time to toast the almonds. It’s so tasty and it is so worth this step to make the almonds extra tasty.

Place the almonds on a parchment paper covered baking sheet. It takes 5 to 10 minutes for the almonds to toast. You’ll want to keep an eye on the almonds. So, check frequently because they are ready when they are lightly browned. You don’t want to overcook them and end up with burned almonds.

Step 4: Prepare the Sweet Lemon Dressing

Whether you are someone who loves sauces or a more subtly flavored dish, this is one dressing that just being everything together. And it is so easy to make.

Simply combine lemon juice, water, honey, mint and Dijon mustard in small bowl. This dressing is the perfect balance of sweet, tasty, with a little zesty goodness. It balances the sweetness of the berries and the savory crunch of the almonds and nutty flavored quinoa.

Step 5: Make the Salad

Now, it all comes together. In a large bowl, add the strawberries, blueberries, half of the almonds, and quinoa. Drizzle with Sweet Lemon Dressing. Gently mix the salad and top with remaining almonds.

And your Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad is ready to eat!! So, serve and enjoy!

The perfect make-ahead recipe! Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad is made with strawberries, blueberries and roasted almond slices. Tasty and ready in only 25 minutes, this is one great dish. | Healthy Clean Eating Salad Recipes | Healthy Salad Bowl Dinners | Healthy Bowl Clean Eating Dinners | Cold Quinoa Salad Recipes | Healthy and Easy Salad for Lunch | Potluck Salad Bowls | Healthy Homemade Salad Dressing | #salad #dinner #lunch #summerrecipe #recipe | thishappymommy.com

What can you serve with Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad

Now that you have your Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad ready, what can you serve with it? The truth is, this salad is super tasty on its own. But there are some tasty choice to serve with it to make your meal even more delicious.

First, let’s talk about meat. Chicken is a great choice! And there are so many delicious chicken options like Hawaiian Pineapple BBQ Chicken, Baked BBQ Chicken, Smoky Baked Chicken Breasts, and Easy Cheesy Breaded Chicken Breasts. Then there’s meat dishes like Homemade Hamburgers,

Or you can choose fish, like salmon. The contrast of the flaky fish and Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad is seriously tasty. You can try Easy Lemon Dill Salmon, Sweet BBQ Rubbed Salmon, and Honey Mustard Salmon.

Cooked veggies are another fantastic option. Give bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant a friendly toss with a bit of grapeseed oil and your most-loved Italian seasonings. Then, let those veggies roast until they’re soft and turn a lovely caramel color.

When the weather gets colder, you can try soup with your salad. Picture a bowl of warm Pumpkin Soup next to your fresh and cool salad. The soup is like a cozy hug, and the salad adds a yummy crunch.

So, you see, there are lots of choices! Whether you pick chicken, fish, meat, veggies, soup, or something else, your sure to have one delicious meal.

The perfect make-ahead recipe! Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad is made with strawberries, blueberries and roasted almond slices. Tasty and ready in only 25 minutes, this is one great dish. | Healthy Clean Eating Salad Recipes | Healthy Salad Bowl Dinners | Healthy Bowl Clean Eating Dinners | Cold Quinoa Salad Recipes | Healthy and Easy Salad for Lunch | Potluck Salad Bowls | Healthy Homemade Salad Dressing | #salad #dinner #lunch #summerrecipe #recipe | thishappymommy.com

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A cold quinoa salad that’s quick and easy to prepare for lunch, dinner or a big backyard party. With a crowd-pleasing flavour of berries, roasted almonds and a honey-sweetened lemon dressing, this sweet and savoury dish packs a delicious punch.

  • Author: Jessica
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 25 mins
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Boil & Bake
  • Cuisine: American/Canadian

Ingredients

Units Scale

SALAD INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 cups vegetable broth or water
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
  • 2 cups strawberries, quartered
  • 2 cups blueberries
  • 1/2 cup almonds, sliced

SWEET LEMON DRESSING INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 and 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons water
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh mint or 1 1/2 teaspoons mint, dried
  • 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add water or vegetable broth. When it begins to boil, lower the temperature to simmer. Add quinoa, cover and cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until all of the liquid is absorbed. Set aside when done.
  3. Place almonds on a parchment paper covered baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.
  4. In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, water, honey, mint and Dijon mustard to make the Sweet Lemon Dressing.
  5. In a large bowl, add strawberries, blueberries, half of the almonds, and quinoa. Drizzle with the Sweet Lemon Dressing. Gently mix. Top with remaining almonds. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • This is a delicious and easy quinoa salad that you can make ahead of time.
  • Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad was originally published in 2016 and has been updated with more information and easier steps to follow. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 317.97kcal
  • Sugar: 18.91g
  • Sodium: 359.82mg
  • Fat: 8.77g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.79g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4.31g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 53.99g
  • Fiber: 7.43g
  • Protein: 9.71g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: easy quinoa salad with fresh berries

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Filed Under: 30 Minute Meal, Appetizers, Dairy-Free, Healthy Recipes, Pasta, Noodles & Rice, Salads, Side Dishes

Previous Post: « Easy Bruschetta Chicken (5 Ingredients Recipe)
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary-The Boondocks Blog

    August 29 2018 at 10:54 pm

    Your healthy and delicious salad is my feature for this week at Sweet Inspiration. We hope to see you on Friday.

    Reply
    • Jessica

      September 28 2018 at 3:10 pm

      Thanks Mary! I am so happy to hear that you are featuring Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad. Hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  2. mrsluvit02

    August 28 2018 at 6:17 am

    This is a very refreshing salad, I would love to sit down and eat this. We will feature this on the next Blogger’s Pit Stop.
    Kathleen
    Blogger’s Pit Stop

    Reply
    • Jessica

      September 28 2018 at 3:09 pm

      Thanks Kathleen! It’s so nice that you are featuring this recipe. Hope you enjoy Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad.

      Reply
  3. April J Harris

    August 27 2018 at 3:20 pm

    What a lovely salad, Jessica, so wholesome, and so delicious too. I think this would be perfect for lunch boxes as well. How lovely to have your Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad on hand in the fridge. Thank you so much for sharing it, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. I’ve featured your post at the party this week. Hope to ‘see’ you there!

    Reply
    • Jessica

      September 28 2018 at 3:08 pm

      Thanks April! That’s so kind of you to feature this recipe. Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad is perfect for lunchtime. Hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  4. diynige

    August 26 2018 at 1:26 am

    Looks yummy and very healthy Thank you for linking to #Thatfridaylinky please come back next week

    Reply
    • Jessica

      September 28 2018 at 3:07 pm

      Thanks! Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad is definitely healthy and yummy. Hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  5. FrugalHausfrau

    August 25 2018 at 3:12 pm

    This fruity quinoa looks like a nice changeup. Thanks for bringing your dish to Fiesta Friday!

    Mollie

    Reply
    • Jessica

      September 28 2018 at 3:07 pm

      Thanks! Hope you enjoy Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad.

      Reply
  6. irisandhoney

    August 24 2018 at 1:36 pm

    I’m not really a quinoa fan, but mixing it with fruit might change my mind. The dressing sounds so tasty!

    Reply
    • Jessica

      September 28 2018 at 3:06 pm

      Quinoa is so versatile. Hope Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad is your kind of quinoa recipe.

      Reply
  7. Jann Olson

    August 24 2018 at 9:46 am

    Looks yummy, and so good for you! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply
    • Jessica

      September 28 2018 at 3:05 pm

      Thanks Jann! It really is yummy. Hope you enjoy Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad.

      Reply
  8. mummyswaisted

    August 23 2018 at 2:35 am

    That looks great, I’ve only ever made savoury quinoa, must give this one a try! #BloggerClubUK

    Reply
    • Jessica

      September 28 2018 at 3:04 pm

      Thanks! Quinoa is delicious with fruit. Hope you enjoy Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad.

      Reply
  9. Marcelle

    August 23 2018 at 1:13 am

    This is definitely my kind of salad! Looks delicious and I will try it soon! 🙂

    Reply
    • Jessica

      September 28 2018 at 3:03 pm

      Thanks Marcelle! Hope you enjoy Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad.

      Reply
  10. Welsh Mum Writing

    August 22 2018 at 9:32 am

    I’ve never thought of using quinoa with fruit, but I’m definitely going to try this. #BloggerClubUK

    Reply
    • Jessica

      September 28 2018 at 3:03 pm

      Thanks! Quinoa is delicious with fruit. Hope you enjoy Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad.

      Reply
  11. Veronica Lee

    August 22 2018 at 3:48 am

    I’ve never tried quinoa but your salad looks so healthy and yummy! I will have to make this recipe.

    #BloggerClubUK

    Reply
    • Jessica

      September 28 2018 at 3:03 pm

      Thanks Veronica! Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad is a great way to try quinoa for the first time. Hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  12. sageandivydesigns

    August 22 2018 at 1:01 am

    I love quinoa I will have to make this recipe.

    Reply
    • Jessica

      September 28 2018 at 3:02 pm

      Agreed! Quinoa is delicious. Hope you enjoy Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad.

      Reply
  13. Anna of Stuffedveggies

    August 20 2018 at 9:41 pm

    This sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing : ) I’m putting it in my “to try soon” collection!

    Reply
    • Jessica

      September 28 2018 at 3:01 pm

      Thanks Anna! Hope you enjoy Berry Nutty Quinoa Salad.

      Reply
  14. kevinashton

    October 12 2016 at 4:36 am

    I love your creative use of Quinoa and how inviting your photographs are

    Reply
    • Jessica

      October 13 2016 at 3:07 pm

      Thanks Kevin! 🙂

      Reply
  15. foodiesneakpeeks

    August 18 2016 at 3:30 am

    Using veggie broth to cook the quinoa is a great tip. Thanks as well for liking my mini-pizzas recipe!

    Reply
    • Jessica

      August 19 2016 at 8:42 pm

      Thanks!! Hope you enjoy the quinoa. ?

      Reply
  16. koolkosherkitchen

    August 17 2016 at 12:56 am

    The salad looks fantastic, but where are some pics of the birthday girl?

    Reply
    • Jessica

      August 17 2016 at 9:48 pm

      Thanks!! She was busy eating the quinoa. ?

      Reply
      • koolkosherkitchen

        August 18 2016 at 1:24 am

        Good girl! Into healthy food, like her mommy!

        Reply
        • Jessica

          August 19 2016 at 8:42 pm

          You’re so sweet! ?

          Reply
  17. annika

    August 16 2016 at 11:51 pm

    These recipes look great. I love that you feel a need to serve healthy food to the little people in our lives. It terrifies me when I find nothing but unhealthy choices on kids’ menus at restaurants.

    Reply
    • Jessica

      August 17 2016 at 9:47 pm

      Thanks!! I totally agree!! I sometimes order an adult meal for my little one, so she has something healthier to eat. ?

      Reply
  18. abhajhablog

    August 16 2016 at 11:41 pm

    Good recipe.Quinoa is definitely healthy on the list.Will try it.

    Reply
    • Jessica

      August 17 2016 at 9:45 pm

      Thanks!! Hope you like it! ?

      Reply
  19. Sheila Moss

    August 16 2016 at 4:31 pm

    This looks good, and no sugar except the little bit of honey. My kind of dish.

    Reply
    • Jessica

      August 16 2016 at 10:42 pm

      Thanks Sheila!! It’s really yummy! ?

      Reply
  20. The Cooking spoon

    August 16 2016 at 2:44 pm

    Sounds wonderful 🙂

    Reply
    • Jessica

      August 16 2016 at 10:42 pm

      Thank you! ?

      Reply
  21. B

    August 16 2016 at 11:29 am

    It’s like you were reading my mind- I have some leftover quinoa that I was looking to use up in a salad. I’m definitely feeling inspired now! Looking forward to reading more!

    Reply
    • Jessica

      August 16 2016 at 10:41 pm

      That’s so great!! Hope you like it! ?

      Reply
  22. fromdublinwithloveweb

    August 16 2016 at 8:48 am

    Great idea! will try it 🙂

    Reply
    • Jessica

      August 16 2016 at 10:40 pm

      Thanks!! Hope you enjoy it. ?

      Reply
  23. Rose Wolfe (Living Free with disAbilities)

    August 16 2016 at 7:03 am

    Looks and sounds delicious.

    Reply
    • Jessica

      August 16 2016 at 10:39 pm

      Thanks Rose! ?

      Reply

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