Orange Quinoa Salad

Bright, refreshing, and bursting with citrusy flavor, this Orange Quinoa Salad is a vibrant dish perfect for any occasion. Packed with protein-rich quinoa, juicy orange segments, crisp red bell pepper, cooling cucumber, and aromatic mint, this salad offers a delightful balance of textures and tastes. Tossed in a tangy homemade orange vinaigrette with a touch of honey, it’s as nutritious as it is delicious. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s ideal as a light lunch, a side dish for grilled proteins, or a make-ahead meal for summer gatherings. Gluten-free and loaded with wholesome ingredients, this salad is a must-try for lovers of fresh and healthful recipes. Serve chilled or at room temperature for a satisfying and refreshing bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 large orange
• 0.25 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 0.5 red bell pepper
• 0.5 cucumber
• 0.25 red onion
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa under cold running water for about 30 seconds to remove any bitterness. Drain well.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and the water has been absorbed.

Step 3

Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork and allow it to cool to room temperature.

Step 4

While the quinoa cools, zest and peel the orange. Cut the orange segments into bite-sized pieces, removing any seeds.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and black pepper to create the vinaigrette.

Step 6

Dice the red bell pepper, cucumber, and red onion into small pieces. Chop the fresh mint leaves finely.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, orange segments, diced red bell pepper, diced cucumber, diced red onion, and chopped mint.

Step 8

Drizzle the orange vinaigrette over the quinoa mixture and toss everything together gently until well combined.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.

Step 10

Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 hours to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1103.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1000.7

Total Fat 40.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2393.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 131.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.4g	0%
Total Sugars 30.3g
Protein 27.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 157.0mg	0%
Iron 6.3mg	0%
Potassium 843.8mg	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: 36.5%

Protein: 10.9%

Carbs: 52.5%