This Quinoa Cranberry Salad is full of fresh, feel-good flavours that everyone will love! With nutrient-rich spinach, sweet dried cranberries and a zippy lemon dressing, it is able to stand alone as a protein-packed, healthy meal, or can be served as a side. It's easy to make ahead of time and is naturally gluten-free.
This super yum Quinoa Cranberry Salad with Lemon and Spinach is what we need to talk about. Nutty quinoa, fresh, green spinach, chewy, sweet, dried cranberries and a really fresh and zippy lemony dressing to bring it all together in a very happy way.
I know quinoa salads aren't always top of everyone's list, because you know ... Q-U-I-N-O-A. That healthy, superfood, vegan stuff. But this is quinoa salad for quinoa salad and non-quinoa salad people and the rule for my salads ... Must. Taste. Amazing.
Bathe that quinoa in zingy lemon dressing and holy moly it's good. It's citrusy, grainy and totally satisfying. Anytime you are craving a healthy and zesty quinoa salad, this (or my quinoa-based gluten-free tabbouleh)is your friend.
What Is Quinoa?
Quinoa is a gluten-free, nutrient-rich seed that is high in protein and easy to cook. It's often mistaken for a grain because it is prepared and eaten in the same way.
Quinoa seeds come from a plant called goosefoot which is closely related to amaranth, and although it is technically a seed it can be classified as a wholegrain because of its high fibre and protein content.
Ingredients
Our ingredients list is pretty short and simple with a base of protein-rich and filling quinoa, leafy green spinach, fresh lemon for zippy flavour and dried cranberries for bursts of chewy sweet texture. That's pretty much it. Simple, hearty and so good.
How To Make Quinoa Cranberry Salad
This quinoa cranberry salad is really easy to make. Here's how it's done:
- Cook the quinoa and allow it to cool completely. If you aren't sure how to cook quinoa, I've included instructions.
- Shred the spinach.
- Mix the spinach together with cooled quinoa and the dried cranberries.
- Add all of the lemon dressing to a jar with a lid, shake them up, then pour over the quinoa and toss together. And just like that, you have a Quinoa Cranberry Salad!
Success Tips
- It's important to cook the quinoa and allow it to cool completely before you start. I find it easiest to cook the quinoa the day before I actually want to make the salad or to make extra for another meal and save the leftovers. If you are in a hurry though, cook it then spread it in a thin layer on a plate or baking tray so that it cools quickly.
- Don't use fresh cranberries in this recipe. They are way too sour. Dried cranberries work best.
How to serve
Serve this tasty quinoa cranberry salad as a side or as a light lunch or dinner. It is really good with:
Variations
With quinoa salads just about anything goes because quinoa is a bit of a blank slate. Additional ingredients that I think would work really well in this quinoa salad are:
- toasted nuts or seeds. Pecans or walnuts in particular
- other dried fruits like raisins or chopped dried apricot
- greens like spinach, kale and arugula instead of the spinach or as well as
- vegan feta cheese or vegan ricotta
- fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro
- diced apple or pear
- fresh orange pieces
- green onions
- roasted vegetables, squash would be great
Feel free to use my recipe as a base and switch it up with any or all of the above! If you want to make life easy though, just follow the recipe as stated, and know that it will be just perfect.
Storing & Making Ahead
This quinoa cranberry salad can easily be made ahead of time so is perfect for taking along to picnics or potlucks. It's also a great accompaniment for grilled food and packs up really well for packed lunches.
You can make it up to 2 days ahead but you must be sure to use very fresh spinach. If you want to keep the spinach extra fresh and textured, make the rest of the salad as instructed and shred and stir the spinach through just before serving. You can also cook the quinoa and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days before and the dressing can be mixed and kept in a jar in the fridge for a few days too before using.
Store quinoa salad leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Recipe Video
Recipe
Quinoa Cranberry Salad
Author:Ingredients
- 1 cup (170 grams) dry uncooked quinoa
- 2 cups (480 mls) water (or 1 cup of water if you are using an Instant Pot)
- 4 large handfuls spinach , shredded
- 1 cup (120 grams) dried cranberries
- 2 medium lemons , zest and juice
- 1 tablespoon (15 mls) maple syrup , real maple syrup not pancake syrup. Agave can be used as an alternative.
- 2 tablespoons (30 mls) extra virgin olive oil (omit to make the recipe oil-free)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper , plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon salt , plus more to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
To cook quinoa on the stovetop
- Rinse the quinoa well in a fine sieve then add it to a dry pan and gently toast it over medium heat for a couple of minutes, keeping it moving, until it starts to smell a little nutty. Once it does turn off the heat.
- Add the water, bring to a simmer, and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes until the water has mostly absorbed.
- Turn off the heat, cover tightly and leave to steam for at least 5 minutes but longer is fine. Allow to cool completely before fluffing with a fork and continuing with the recipe. If you are in a hurry to cool it, you can spread it out in a thin layer on a cool plate or baking sheet.
To cook quinoa in an Instant Pot
- Add 1 cup of water to the quinoa, stir, then put the lid on and seal the vent. Set to 2 minutes high pressure and leave the pressure to naturally release. Remove the lid, allow to cool and fluff with a fork before using.
To make the salad
- Shred the spinach and stir it through the cooled quinoa. Add the cranberries and stir them through too.
- Zest the lemons and add it to a small jar or bowl. Juice the lemons and add the juice to the jar/bowl with the zest. Add the maple syrup, optional olive oil, salt and pepper. Put the lid on and shake it or whisk it together.
- Pour over the quinoa mixture and toss well to coat. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.
NOTES
NUTRITION
Nutritional information is provided for convenience. The data is a computer generated estimate and should be used as a guide only.
This recipe was originally published in July 2015. I've updated the post and now I am republishing it for you. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for following A Virtual Vegan!
Joanie Lewis says
Hi Mel - About to make this. Just curious if the amount of water should double in instant pot version if I'm doubling the recipe. It still says 1 cup like the original recipe.
Melanie McDonald says
Yes you should double the water. Simple rule of thumb in the IP with quinoa is same amount of water as quinoa then it comes out perfect every-time. Hope you enjoy the salad!
Gerry says
Loved this salad. So light and refreshing. Thanks so much.
Lacey says
Delicious as always!! I happened to have all of the ingredients when looking for a side for cabbage and noodles. It was perfect! Fresh and festive and the hubby has requested it again since! This gave me the go ahead to make the Brussel sprout salad for Christmas. Your recipes are truly life changing!!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you so much Lacey! I'm really pleased you're both enjoying the recipes! Merry Christmas!
Sita says
Hi Mel,
Plan to make this today. What other dried fruit do you think would work? I hesitate to use dried cranberries because of the oil and added sugar. Also, what do you think about adding garbanzo beans?
Thanks much for your awesome recipes!
Sita
A Virtual Vegan says
Dried cherries or apricots would be great in it. You could even use fresh chopped apple if you're going to eat it all fairly quickly. Fresh strawberries would work too.
A Virtual Vegan says
And ooops, forgot about the garbanzo beans but yes they would work in it too! Toasted nuts or seeds would be a good addition too.
Sally says
Super delicious. our family loved it.
Eli says
Loved it! Best quinoa salad i had.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Eli. I'm really pleased you enjoyed it!
Catherine says
Absolutely delicious. Really fresh and zingy and probably the best quinoa salad I’ve made!
Lynda says
Not a fan. We couldn't eat it. Made recipe as written. First time I've cooked quinoa so maybe it's an acquired taste?
Melanie McDonald says
Sorry you didn't enjoy it Lynda. Quinoa is a bit of an acquired taste. It has a distinctive flavour and I think it's one of those things that you either love or hate.
Lorna McLeod says
another 5 Star absolute FAVOURITE! could eat this every day. LOVE LOVE LOVE
Melanie McDonald says
Thank you Lorna!
Liz Pelsma says
Can I toast the quinoa before cooking it in a regular pot like you did in the Instapot?
Melanie McDonald says
You sure can. Just a dry pan is fine and keep it moving for a couple of minutes over medium heat until it smells nutty. Then turn it off and add water etc and carry on with the recipe.
Anita says
I'm going to make it this week with fresh fruit and nuts..
Maureen Phelps says
Really delicious and easy. We have made it twice in the last week!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Maureen. I'm really pleased you enjoyed it!
Gisele Santos says
I'm a brazilian student and I tried this salad for dinner with my home family in Canada. The taste is delicious. We even tried it a second time with Kale and spinach mixed. Yum.
melmcdonald2 says
So glad you enjoyed it Gisele and the addition of the kale sounds great! I will try that next time I make it
Kristi says
I made a ton of quinoa (on accident) and needed something to do with it. This was perfect. It is really lovely. The flavours are so fresh.
melmcdonald2 says
Thanks Kristi!
You sound like me..I always end up cooking far too much quinoa, couscous or rice!
I'm glad you enjoyed it!