Quinoa Salad with Spicy Peanut Sauce

This blend of fresh veggies, protein-packed quinoa, and a creamy peanut sauce makes for a great flavorful plant-based protein dinner or meal prep that everyone will love.

thai salad

This crunchy quinoa salad is a great meal prep option because you don’t have to worry about any soggy greens. This quinoa and shredded veggies can last for hours in the fridge, even after they’re combined with the dressing. So this is a great recipe to pack for lunch!

When you are done with this be sure to check out my ONE PAN chili style quinoa that also gives you a little kick of spice, or if you are looking for something more mellow and fruity try my tropical quinoa made with a honey lemon vinaigrette.  Both are also super easy and great dinner or meal prep quinoa salad recipes!

quinoa salad

Tips for the Perfect Quinoa Salad

  • The sauce can be made with coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, if you want to keep it soy free and gluten free. If you don’t care about soy but want to avoid the gluten that is still found in most soy sauces, try tamari as a gluten-free option.
  • To make this recipe vegan, be sure to use maple syrup instead of honey, as listed below.
  • You can buy pre-shredded cabbage and pre-shredded carrots if you want to be able to make this recipe faster.

How to Shred Cabbage

  1. Remove any outer leaves that are damaged or wilted from the cabbage.
  2. Cut the cabbage in half from top to bottom.
  3. Place one half of the cabbage, flat side down, on a cutting board.
  4. Cut out the tough core at the bottom of the cabbage with a sharp knife.
  5. Thinly slice the cabbage into strips using a sharp knife or a mandoline. You can slice the cabbage into whatever size you prefer.

In addition to the listed ingredients you will need:

  • a medium pot
  • a whisk (or fork)
  • a strainer for chickpeas (optional)
  • knife or mandolin to shred veggies

Enjoy!

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quinoa salad

Thai Style Quinoa Salad with Spicy Peanut Sauce


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  • Author: Megan
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 34 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This blend of fresh veggies, protein-packed quinoa, and a spicy peanut sauce makes for a great flavorful plant-based protein dinner or meal prep that everyone will love.


Ingredients

Scale

Salad:

  • 3/4 cup quinoa
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded red cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 1/2 cups steamed broccoli florets
  • 1 (15oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • Red pepper flakes to garnish

Sauce:

  • 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup coconut aminos or soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • Water to thin
  • Crushed red pepper flakes for garnish

Instructions

Cook Quinoa:

  1. Combine quinoa and water in a large pot, bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat, leave covered for a couple minutes, then fluff with a fork.

Make sauce while quinoa cooks:

  1. Combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk.
  2. Add a small amount of water and whisk, repeating until you reach a thin consistency you can pour over your dish.

Salad:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, chickpeas, cabbage, carrots, and broccoli together.
  2. Drizzle with desired amount of dressing. (You may not need it all.)
  3. Garnish with red pepper flakes.

Notes

Vegan Option – sweeten sauce with maple syrup or agave instead of honey, add cayenne pepper if you want the spice

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/3 of recipe

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