Curried Quinoa Salad with Cranberries

Elevate your salad game with this vibrant and flavorful Curried Quinoa Salad with Cranberries! Packed with protein-rich quinoa, sweet bursts of dried cranberries, and the warm, aromatic spices of curry powder and cumin, this dish offers a delightful fusion of textures and tastes. Sautéed onions and carrots add a savory depth, while a hint of fresh parsley and a squeeze of zesty lemon juice brighten every bite. Finished with crunchy sliced almonds, this nutritious salad is gluten-free, vegetarian, and perfect as a light lunch or a colorful side dish. Whether served fresh or chilled to let the bold flavors marry, this wholesome recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.5 cup yellow onion
• 0.5 cup carrot
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup dried cranberries
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 0.25 cup sliced almonds

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa under cold water in a fine mesh strainer to remove any bitterness.

Step 2

Combine the quinoa and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.

Step 3

Remove the quinoa from heat, fluff with a fork, and let it cool to room temperature.

Step 4

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and carrot, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.

Step 5

Stir in curry powder, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, sautéed onion and carrot mixture, dried cranberries, and parsley.

Step 7

Drizzle the lemon juice over the salad and toss to combine.

Step 8

Sprinkle sliced almonds on top and gently mix them into the salad.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as preferred.

Step 10

Serve immediately or refrigerate for 1-2 hours to let the flavors meld together further before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1017.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1327.6

Total Fat 57.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3145.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 170.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.4g	0%
Total Sugars 56.2g
Protein 33.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 236.2mg	0%
Iron 9.9mg	0%
Potassium 935.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.0%

Protein: 9.9%

Carbs: 51.1%