Quinoa fruit salad is a very easy, tasty, and healthy summer salad perfect for picnics and potlucks. Loaded with fruit like cherries, apples, pears, pomegranate, and nuts you will want to make this incredible salad again and again.
A big bowl of colorful salad loaded with seasonal fruits, vegetables, and fresh berries is my favorite thing to make on a hot summer day. It's a delicious way to enjoy fresh produce while keeping meals light and satisfying.
I've always preferred eating fresh fruit instead of cooking it. Fresh fruits have a wonderful crunch, vibrant flavor, and excellent nutritional value that I love. That's probably why you'll find very few cooked fruit recipes on my blog.
If you're a fan of summer fruit salads, you'll definitely enjoy this recipe. One of the best things about it is how easy it is to customize. I rarely make the same version twice and often use whatever fruits are available. From fresh strawberries and cherries to mangoes, grapes, pineapple, pears, or, apples almost everything works beautifully in this salad. So, feel free to use your favorite fruits.
What's' needed to make quinoa and fruit salad?
To make this quinoa salad with fruits, you will need the following ingredients:
- Quinoa: White quinoa works best because of its light texture, but red quinoa or tricolor quinoa can also be used. Make sure it's cooked and completely cooled before adding to the salad.
- Strawberries: Fresh strawberries add sweetness and color. You can replace them with raspberries or chopped cherries.
- Blueberries: These provide a juicy burst of flavor. Blackberries can be used instead.
- Mango: Mango adds tropical sweetness and a soft texture. Substitute with peaches, nectarines, pineapple, or kiwi.
- Grapes: Red or green grapes both work well. Apple chunks or pear cubes are good alternatives.
- Pomegranate Seeds: Add a beautiful pop of color and crunch. If unavailable, simply leave them out or use extra berries.
- Pine nuts: Toasted pine nuts add a wonderful nutty flavor and a delicate crunch to the salad. If you don't have pine nuts, use almonds, walnuts, pecans, or pumpkin seeds instead.
- Mint Leaves: Fresh mint leaves give the salad a refreshing flavor. Fresh basil can be used for a different but equally delicious twist.
- Orange juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice adds natural sweetness and a fresh citrus flavor. You can use store bought orange juice too.
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice brightens the flavors. Lemon juice works just as well.
- Orange and lemon zest: Zest of orange and lemon add extra layer of citrus aroma and flavor. But you can skip them too.
- Maple Syrup: Adding maple syrup is optional, add only if the natural sweetness is not sufficient for you. Agave nectar or honey (for non-vegan version) can be used too.
- Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard helps emulsify the dressing and adds a sharp mustard flavor and a subtle tangy flavor.
- Chia Seeds: Optional but great for adding extra fiber and nutrition.
Other ingredient notes and nutritional information are shared in the recipe card.s and nutritional information are shared in the recipe card.
How to make (step-by-step process)?
To make this fruity quinoa salad, just follow the easy step by step instructions given below:
Step 1: Put quinoa in a large strainer and wash it under running water.
Step 2: Put rinsed quinoa and water in a pot. Cook until all the liquid is absorbed and there is no excess water remaining. Cover the pot and let it remain untouched for at least 5 minutes.
Step 3: Remove the lid and fluff quinoa gently with a fork and allow it to cool to room temperature.
Step 4: Toast pine nuts in a pan until they become crunchy and fragrant.
Step 5: Mix all the ingredients of the dressing in a small bowl.
Step 6: Put cooked quinoa in a large bowl. Add fruits, mint leaves, and toasted pine nuts. Pour dressing and toss well. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Your summer special quinoa salad with fruits is ready!
How to serve?
This quinoa salad is best served chilled but you can also serve it at room temperature.
It's an incredibly versatile salad that can be served in many ways. I am sharing some ideas below:
- As a healthy breakfast bowl
- Alongside brunch dishes
- As a light lunch
- For picnics and potlucks
- As a refreshing side dish at barbecues
- As a healthy dessert option
- After workouts for a nourishing snack
For extra crunch, sprinkle some chopped nuts or seeds just before serving.
How to store?
Quinoa fruit salad tastes the best if served fresh but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The fruit may release some juices as it sits, but the salad will still taste delicious.
Freezing is not recommended. Fresh fruits tend to become soft and watery after thawing, which affects the texture of the salad.
Meal prep tips
- Cook the quinoa up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate.
- Wash and chop the fruits ahead of time.
- Store the dressing separately until ready to serve.
- Add mint leaves just before serving for the freshest flavor.
- Prepare individual containers for grab-and-go breakfasts or lunches.
Recipe tips, tricks, and variation suggestions
- Any type of quinoa can be used in this salad. If you are cooking quinoa for the first time, don't miss to check my tips on how to cook perfect quinoa.
- Rinse quinoa thoroughly before cooking to remove any bitterness.
- Allow the quinoa to cool completely before mixing with the fruits.
- Use seasonal fruits to create different versions throughout the year.
- Mix in shredded coconut for a tropical variation.
- If pine nuts are not available, use toasted walnuts, almonds, or any other nut of your choice. Even seeds like pumpkin seeds, chia seeds can be used.
- Don't skip adding the salt. It will not only balance the sweetness of fruits and maple syrup but will also bring out the flavors of fruits.
- Keep this salad in the fridge for at least an hour before serving so that quinoa soaks all the juices and flavors.
- You can also add extra virgin olive oil to the salad dressing.
Frequently asked questions
Fresh fruits are recommended for the best texture. Thawed frozen fruits tend to become soft and may make the salad watery.
Absolutely. The fruits provide plenty of natural sweetness, so maple syrup can be omitted if desired.
More easy quinoa recipes
If you enjoy cooking with quinoa, don't miss these easy and delicious recipes:
More easy summer salad recipes
Looking for more easy refreshing salad recipes for this season? Do try the following summer salad recipes from around the world:
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Recipe
Quinoa fruit salad
Equipment
- 1 cooking pot with lid
- 1 Pan
- 1 small mixing bowl
- Salad mixing spoon
- Knife and chopping board
Ingredients
- ½ cup uncooked quinoa
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup chopped apples any variety
- 1 cup chopped pears
- ½ cup cherries pitted and halved
- ½ cup pomegranate arils
- A handful of fresh mint leaves roughly chopped
- ¼ cup pine nuts
Ingredients for salad dressing
- Juice of ½ an orange
- Juice of ½ a lime
- zest of 1 orange
- zest of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup non vegans may use honey
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- Fresh ground pepper to taste
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Put quinoa in a large strainer and wash under running water for 1-2 minutes.
- Put quinoa and ½ a cup of water in a pot. Cook uncovered until the water gets evaporated. Put on the lid, turn off the heat, and let it remain untouched for at least 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, remove the lid and fluff with a fork.
- Slightly toast the pine nuts in a pan and keep aside.
- Mix all the ingredients of dressing in a small mixing bowl and keep it aside too.
- Put the cooked quinoa in a large bowl. Add all the fruits, mint leaves, and toasted pine nuts. Pour the dressing and toss well.
- Put in the refrigerator for around 30 minutes and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Any type of quinoa can be used in this salad.
- Rinse quinoa thoroughly before cooking to remove any bitterness.
- Allow the quinoa to cool completely before mixing with the fruits.
- Use seasonal fruits to create different versions throughout the year.
- Mix in shredded coconut for a tropical variation.
- If pine nuts are not available, use toasted walnuts, almonds, or any other nut of your choice. Even seeds like pumpkin seeds, chia seeds can be used.
- Don't skip adding the salt. It will not only balance the sweetness of fruits and maple syrup but will also bring out the flavors of fruits.
- Keep this salad in the fridge for at least an hour before serving so that quinoa soaks all the juices and flavors.
- You can also add extra virgin olive oil to the salad dressing.
- More recipe tips, tricks, and variation suggestions are shared in the post above. Please follow them to make this recipe.
I made this salad yesterday. My family loved it. It has become one of our favourite summer salad recipes.
Thank you Kia, I am so happy to know that you and your family enjoyed my recipe.