Tropical Quinoa Salad
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If you’re looking for a fresh, colorful dish that tastes like sunshine in a bowl and only takes a few minutes to throw together, this Gluten-Free Tropical Quinoa Salad is exactly what you need. Packed with fluffy quinoa, juicy tropical fruit, crisp vegetables, and a bright citrus dressing, it’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and refreshing. It makes the perfect light lunch, healthy side dish, or yummy addition to any gathering always being a crowd pleaser. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, loaded with wholesome ingredients, and insanely easy to make ahead. One bite and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a tropical island.
Why You’ll Love This Tropical Quinoa Salad
- Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian
- Fresh, vibrant tropical flavors with crisp vegetables
- Perfect for meal prep and makes the best lunches on-the-go
- Packed with protein and fiber
- Great for potlucks, BBQs, summer gatherings, or any day of the week
- Light, healthy, and satisfying that everyone, even kids, love
This is the kind of salad that feels refreshing while still being filling enough for a complete meal. I love to pack a little container for an on-the-go snack during errands or sports games.
Easy Variations That Make This Salad Tasty
The magic of this salad is already built from the combination of flavors and textures. It’s sweet, tangy, crunchy, and refreshing all at the same time. The fluffy quinoa, sweet fruit, and crisp vegetables are delicious, but making some simple additions can level it up even more. This salad is incredibly versatile and easy to customize, some of our favorites:
- Grilled chicken or steak
- On top of nachos or a bed of lettuce
- Shrimp
- Avocado
- Chopped macadamia nuts
- Sliced jalapeño for a little heat
More Recipes You’ll Love:
- Homemade Dairy-Free Coleslaw
- Gluten-Free BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
- Key West Grilled Kabobs
- Green Beans Almondine
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Tropical Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked quinoa cooled
- 1/2 cup red onion finely diced
- 1/2 mango or pineapple finely diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper finely diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper finely diced
- 1/4 cup cilantro diced
- 5 oz grape tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup black beans rinsed and drained
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 2 tbsp oil (we use avocado oil)
- 2 tbsp honey
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In large bowl combine quinoa, beans, onion, mango or pineapple, bell peppers, tomatoes, and cilantro.
- In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, and honey. Pour dressing over quinoa salad and toss to coat. Add salt and pepper to taste and adjust, if needed.
- Serve chilled or room temp
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