Description
Looking for a vibrant, healthy, and flavor-packed dish that works as a main or a side? This Mango Quinoa Salad is the answer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup quinoa, uncooked
- 2 ripe mangoes, peeled and diced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- ½ cucumber, diced
- ¼ red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped (optional)
- ¼ cup sliced almonds or cashews, toasted
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Lime Vinaigrette:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, finely grated
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa: Rinse 1 cup of quinoa in a fine mesh strainer under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and allow to cool.
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, honey, mustard, grated garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Chop the ingredients: Dice mangoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion. Chop cilantro and mint (if using).
- Toast the nuts: Lightly toast almonds or cashews in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
- Assemble the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, mango, bell pepper, cucumber, onion, and herbs.
- Dress and toss: Pour the lime vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Top and serve: Sprinkle toasted nuts on top just before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Always rinse quinoa before cooking to remove bitterness
Use a 2 to 1 water to quinoa ratio for fluffy texture
Let quinoa cool completely before mixing into salad to avoid wilting other ingredients
Choose ripe mangoes that give slightly when pressed and smell sweet at the stem
Use a serrated knife to cut mango cleanly without bruising
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Meal Prep
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 9g
Keywords: Mango Quinoa Salad