Quinoa Apple Salad with Cranberries, Candied Walnuts, and Maple Dijon Vinaigrette Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Quinoa Apple Salad featuring tricolor quinoa, sweet gala apples, dried cranberries, celery, fresh parsley, and candied walnuts, all tossed in a zesty maple Dijon vinaigrette. This fruity and flavorful salad is perfect as a light meal or side dish, offering a delightful balance of textures and tastes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
- ¾ cup tricolor quinoa, rinsed
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 gala apple, diced into ¼-inch cubes
- ¼ cup celery, diced into ¼-inch cubes
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup candied walnuts
For the Maple Dijon Vinaigrette:
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook Quinoa: In a medium saucepan, bring vegetable broth and rinsed quinoa to a boil. Stir in dried cranberries, cover the saucepan, and then remove it from heat. Let it stand for 15 minutes, allowing the quinoa to absorb the liquid and become tender. After resting, fluff the quinoa with a fork and transfer it into a large salad bowl.
- Prepare Vinaigrette: While the quinoa is resting, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, ground allspice, kosher salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until well combined. This creates a flavorful and tangy maple Dijon vinaigrette.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the diced gala apple, celery, fresh chopped parsley, and candied walnuts to the bowl with the quinoa and cranberries. Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the salad components.
- Toss Salad: Gently toss the salad until all ingredients are evenly coated with the vinaigrette, ensuring each bite has a balanced mix of flavors and textures.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately for a fresh, crisp experience or chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to enhance the melding of flavors. Enjoy the salad cold or at room temperature according to your preference.
Notes
- Rinsing quinoa removes its natural bitter coating called saponin, enhancing the flavor.
- Chilling the salad for 30 minutes intensifies the flavors.
- Substitute candied walnuts with toasted pecans or almonds if preferred.
- For a vegan option, ensure the candied nuts do not contain honey or dairy.
- This salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
Keywords: quinoa salad, apple salad, healthy salad, maple Dijon vinaigrette, vegetarian salad, fresh salad, quinoa recipes, fall salad
