Edamame quinoa salad

Bursting with flavors and textures, this easy Asian-style edamame quinoa salad is something you cannot miss. It's a vegan salad with a rich, creamy peanut butter dressing that escalates its deliciousness. You can prepare it in just 25 minutes and can enjoy it as a salad as well as a light meal.

There’s something so comforting about a big bowl of colorful salad loaded with fresh vegetables and a flavorful dressing. This Asian quinoa salad combines fluffy quinoa with edamame, crunchy vegetables, and a savory-sweet dressing that brings everything together beautifully.

Edamame and quinoa make such a great pair because both are packed with plant-based protein. The quinoa adds a soft, nutty texture while the edamame gives a slight bite and buttery flavor that works perfectly in cold salads.

What I love most about this quinoa and edamame salad is how flexible it is. This is the kind of delicious salad that works for almost everything, quick lunches, meal prep, light dinners, picnics, or even as a side for an Asian-inspired meal. The best part? It comes together in around 25 minutes and tastes even better the next day.

If you enjoy salads that are hearty enough to keep you full but still taste fresh and vibrant, this quinoa salad with edamame is one you’ll want to make again and again.

Jump to:

• Ingredients needed to make edamame quinoa salad
• Ingredients for salad dressing
• Other ingredients for the salad
• How to make (step-by-step instructions)?
• How to serve Asian edamame quinoa salad?
• Storing the leftover salad
• Recipe tips, tricks, and variation suggestions
• Frequently asked questions
• More easy quinoa recipes
• Other Asian salad recipes
• Recipe

Ingredients needed to make edamame quinoa salad

For the dressing of this Asian salad, you will need the ingredients shown below:

Ingredients for salad dressing

• Peanut butter: Peanut butter gives the dressing its creamy texture and rich, nutty flavor. Natural peanut butter works especially well because it blends smoothly into the sauce. Both creamy and crunchy peanut butter are fine for this recipe. You can also use almond butter, cashew butter, or any other nut butter. For nut free version, use sunflower seed butter or tahini.
• Lime: Fresh lime juice brightens the dressing and balances the richness of the peanut butter and sesame oil. You can also use a splash of lemon juice or rice vinegar.
• Ginger: Fresh ginger adds warmth and a refreshing vibrant flavor to the dressing. You can also add a small amount of galangal for a deeper Asian flavor.
• Garlic: Use fresh garlic in the dressing. You can adjust the quantity depending on how strong or mild flavor of garlic you prefer. If raw garlic feels too strong, lightly roast it in a little oil before adding it to the dressing.
• Soy sauce: Soy sauce adds saltiness and an umami flavor to the dressing, giving it that classic Asian-inspired flavor. Use tamari for a gluten-free option, coconut aminos for a slightly sweeter taste, and low sodium soy sauce, if preferred.
• Red pepper flakes: Red pepper flakes add a gentle heat that balances the sweet and savory flavors of the dressing. You can also use fresh chopped red chilies, sriracha, or any hot sauce of choice.
• Toasted sesame oil: Toasted sesame oil gives the dressing a deep, nutty aroma that makes the salad taste extra flavorful.
• Coconut Sugar: Coconut sugar adds mild sweetness and helps balance the salty and tangy flavors. You can also add maple syrup, agave syrup, brown sugar, or regular white sugar. Non vegans may add honey too.

Other ingredients for the salad

• Quinoa: Quinoa is the hearty base of this edamame quinoa salad. It has a slightly nutty flavor and fluffy texture. It adds plant-based protein and fiber to the salad. You can also replace it with brown rice, couscous, farro, or any millet of choice.
• Frozen edamame: Edamame adds protein, texture, and a fresh buttery flavor that makes the salad extra satisfying. Fresh edamame can also be used in this recipe. Instead of edamame green peas, chickpeas, black beans, or lima beans can be used too.
• Bean sprouts: Bean sprouts add freshness and crunch. Shredded green cabbage or purple cabbage can also be added for extra texture.
• Spring onion (green onion): Spring onions add a mild onion flavor that keeps the salad fresh and light. Chives or shallots can be used too.
• Vegetables: I have used only carrot and red bell pepper. You can add other vegetables too like julienned zucchini, cucumber, cabbage, or snow peas.
• Cilantro: Fresh cilantro gives this salad a bright, herby flavor that pairs really well with the Asian-style dressing. You can also add Thai basil in this salad.
• Seeds and nuts: They add a crunch to the salad, make the salad more nutritious, and add a delicious nutty flavor too. I have used roasted white sesame seeds and peanuts. You can also add roasted cashew nuts, hemp seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.

Other ingredient details and nutrition facts are shared in the recipe card.d nutritional information are shared in the recipe card.

How to make (step-by-step instructions)?

To make this easy quinoa recipe, just follow the easy step by step instructions given below:

Step 1: Rinse quinoa well and put it in a cooking pot. Add water and cook uncovered for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Add shelled edamame and mix. 

Step 3: Cook uncovered for another 4-5 minutes or until the water dries up.

Step 4: Turn off the heat and cover the pot with a tight light. Do not open the lid for at least 5 minutes.

Step 5: After 5 minutes, remove the lid and fluff quinoa with a fork. Keep the quinoa aside and allow to it reach room temperature.

Step 6: Put all the salad dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk until everything gets mixed well and you get a creamy dressing.

Step 7: Take a large mixing bowl. Put the chopped vegetables, herbs, bean sprouts, roasted peanuts, sesame seeds, quinoa, and edamame into the bowl. Pour salad dressing on top. 

Step 8: Gently toss. Check and adjust the seasonings.

Your delicious edamame quinoa salad is ready.

How to serve Asian edamame quinoa salad?

Serve edamame quinoa salad chilled or at room temperature.

It can be served as a side dish with any Asian meal. Or, if you want to make it a main course dish serve an Asian stir-fried dish like broccoli in garlic sauce, stir-fried snow peas, garlic eggplant, chili garlic tofu, or enoki mushroom salad, on the side. 

This Asian quinoa salad can also be used in a Buddha bowl.

You can pack it for lunches, serve it as a picnic side dish, or even spoon it into lettuce wraps for a fun appetizer.

This salad is perfect for meal prep because the flavors get even better the next day.

Storing the leftover salad

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen as it sits, making it excellent for meal prep.

The cooked quinoa can be frozen separately for up to 2 months, but the fully assembled salad is best enjoyed fresh because the vegetables may lose their crunch after thawing.

Recipe tips, tricks, and variation suggestions

• The quinoa-to-water ratio should be 1:2. However as I have also cooked edamame with quinoa, I have added an additional ¼ cup of water.
• I have used frozen edamame which gets cooked very fast. If you are using fresh edamame, it will take longer to get cooked so add it along with the quinoa.
• Cool the quinoa completely before mixing so the vegetables stay crisp.
• Toast the sesame seeds for extra flavor.
• Add roasted peanuts or cashews for crunch.
• For extra protein, add baked tofu.
• Feel free to add other ingredients that go well in Asian salads like chopped mango, pineapple, crispy wantons, snowpeas, napa cabbage etc.
• Want it spicy? Add extra sriracha or chili flakes.
• A little avocado added just before serving makes the salad extra creamy.

Frequently asked questions

More easy quinoa recipes

Looking for more easy quinoa recipes? Try these wholesome and delicious ideas that are perfect for busy weekdays, meal prep, or healthy family dinners.

1. Lentil quinoa soup
2. Curried quinoa with vegetables
3. Middle Eastern style quinoa beet salad
4. Mexican quinoa salad
5. Quinoa fruit salad
6. Quinoa pulao
7. Tomato quinoa
8. Mushroom quinoa
9. Quinoa khichdi
10. Tomato quinoa soup
11. Lentil quinoa salad

Other Asian salad recipes

If you enjoy fresh, crunchy, flavor-packed salads like this Asian quinoa salad, here are a few more recipes worth trying.

1. Thai red cabbage salad
2. Enoki mushroom salad
3. Thai vermicelli noodle salad with mushrooms
4. Spicy red cabbage