When I was a child, my mom and grandma made simple and traditional salads, but since I started to cook, I've tried a lot of salad recipes using many different ingredients. I've never made quinoa salad before, because quinoa is hard to find here in Spain and is also really expensive. My dad is Ecuadorian, so he ate quinoa hundreds of times when he was a child, but he almost never cooks and if he does, he makes simple dishes he learnt in Spain because he've lived here since he was very young.
Quinoa is really easy to cook, you just need to stir it into boiling water, cover and simmer over medium heat until done. The ratio is 1 cup of uncooked quinoa to 2 cups of water. And it's ready in only 10 or 15 minutes! Use vegetable broth to make the quinoa tastes even better.
This salad is quite simple, you only need to cook the quinoa and add the rest of the ingredients. I used avocado, olives (I'm Spanish, so I love them!!!), Cherry tomatoes, carrot and corn, but feel free to use your favorite veggies. If you don't like quinoa or you can't afford it, use rice instead.
It's important to eat salad all year long, not only in summer. If you don't like salads, try many recipes and use your favorite veggies. Maybe you should try salads made with legumes, rice or quinoa, but don't forget to add fresh leafy greens, vegetables or fruits.
This salad is delicious with not salad dressing, but I added extra virgin olive oil to make it tastier, but keep it simple. I try to avoid oils on my daily basis and there are many delicious dressings you can use like lemon juice or balsamic vinegar. If you have an oil-free salad dressing recipe, please leave a comment!
Use capers instead of olives if you want to reduce the amount of fat in the recipe. I recommend you to add avocado to the salad because is a super healthy fat and tastes amazing. I think avocados are one of my favorite foods in the world!
About 8 years ago, when I wasn't vegan, I went to a fast food with a friend. I ordered a salad because I was on a diet and my friend ordered a burger and french fries. I read the nutritional information and I realized my salad had only 100 calories less than the burger + the french fries! Many people think all salads are healthy, but it's not true, a salad can be really high in calories and fat and it can be made with junk food too. Don't add animal products to your salads, avoid high fat store bought dressings and add as much fresh veggies as you can. Use healthy fats like avocados, nuts or seeds.
You need to try this quinoa salad, is ready in less than 20 minutes and everyone can make it because is so simple! If you make it, please leave a comment or tag a picture #simpleveganblog on Pinterest or Twitter.
Simple Vegan Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- ½ cup uncooked quinoa
- ¼ cup corn
- ¼ cup chopped carrots
- 12 Cherry tomatoes
- 12 black olives
- 1 avocado
- Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa according to package directions. Let it chill at room temperature or wash it with cold water. You can also make the quinoa the day before.
- Place the quinoa in a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients. Add extra virgin olive oil to taste.
venugopal says
Hi iosune.
I about to open salads, smoothies and Organic tea restaurant cafe.
i like your recipes. I want to have any vegetarian salads recipes.
Thank you.
Iosune says
Hi! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
Christine says
I would add a bouillon cube to the water to cook the quinua and diced regular por sin dried tomatoes.
Iosune says
Hi Christine! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
Carolina says
Simple and super delicious salad.
Thank you Iosune!
Iosune says
Hi Carolina! Thank YOU 🙂
Kristine Sheridan says
I made this for Christmas and everyone agreed it was too bland. I made it again today and added more corn, I also added cashews, cubed cucumbers, chopped yellow zucchini, fresh finely chopped garlic, salt, and pepper to taste. It was really delicious. I think your recipe is a great base to use for adding all kinds of veggies and spices.
Iosune says
Hi Kristine! Thanks for your comment 🙂 Have a nice day!
Carmen says
Hey! I just found out your website and its amazing, I'm really excited to try your recipes! I haven't tried your quinoa salad yet, but I know that if you squeeze a bit of lemon juice in the quinoa before adding the other ingredients it tastes better. You could also try adding chopped onions, sweet potato, avocado, sun-dried cranberries and blueberries. A small tip, you could season the chopped onions with olive oil and salt before adding it to the salad.
Iosune says
Hi Carmen! So glad you like our recipes 😉 Thanks a lot for your comment!
Raquel says
Enhorabuena por tus recetas y este blog tan genial! De verdad! Estoy alucinando! Me gustaría preguntarte por la quinoa y si la lavas. Vivo en Inglaterra y la que venden aquí (al menos la que yo he comprado) pone que hay que lavarla antes de usar :S en internet hay mucha información contradictoria sobre cómo debe hacerse y me gustaría saber tu opinión al respecto porque yo estoy muy perdida. Muchas gracias!LLL!
Iosune says
Hola Raquel! Muchas gracias 🙂 En teoría la quinoa hay que lavarla, puedes ponerla en un colador y remojarla con agua del grifo hasta que salga el agua clara, aunque algunas ya vienen prelavadas 🙂 Por si no lo sabes tenemos un blog en español con más recetas se llama Danza de Fogones (https://danzadefogones.com/) Un saludo!
Detox Girl says
Thank you 🙂
Iosune says
You're welcome! Have a nice day 😀
Mary says
I want to make this for my Memorial Day Party! Do you think I could substitute the black olives and use black beans instead?
Iosune says
Hi Mary! Yes, you can and the salad will be sooo delicious 🙂
Anna says
omg this look super frehs and delicious <3
Iosune says
Thanks a lot Anna!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
It's no secret that I too love quinoa salads.. they make for the most nourishing of meals. So I think I have to try out your vegan quinoa salad!
Iosune says
I've never made quinoa salad before and I'm in love!!!! I need to try new recipes 🙂
Alison @ Food by Mars says
Always looking for new quinoa salad recipes... this looks lovely!
Iosune says
Thanks Alison! I hope you like the salad if you make it 🙂