For more seasonal quinoa salad recipes, try our spring quinoa salad and summer quinoa salad with cherries and almonds. It’s the perfect hearty salad for fall, and it’s filled with good-for-you ingredients. It’s quick and easy to make, too! It’s super versatile so you can add in some dried fruit, add your favorite greens, switch up the nuts, or add in some chickpeas for a boost of vegetarian protein. It’s an easy meal-prep salad that tastes great on its own for lunch or for dinner as a side dish with a protein like chicken or fish. It’s enjoyable warm or at room temperature making this salad perfect for potlucks, picnics, or dinner parties. It’s our go-to fall salad, and it’s always a huge hit!
Sweet potatoes – sweet potatoes are our first choice for this salad but roasted butternut squash also tastes delicious. Olive oil – olive oil coats the potatoes while they’re roasting, and locks in moisture. Seasonings – cinnamon, cayenne, sea salt Pecans – the delicate taste of pecans pairs perfectly with this salad but other nuts like walnuts, almonds, or even pistachios work well too. Quinoa – we use regular white quinoa but other varieties like red quinoa or tri-color quinoa work and look beautiful. Arugula – the bite of arugula plays nicely with the sweetness of this salad but you can use other greens like spinach or baby kale.
Olive oil – a good quality extra-virgin olive oil makes the base of a great dressing. Maple syrup – pure maple syrup is the perfect sweetener for this salad, but honey also works. Balsamic vinegar – balsamic vinegar is sweet yet tart, adding richness and complexity to the dressing. Apple cider vinegar – when choosing an apple cider vinegar, look for the raw unfiltered variety that comes with the ‘mother’ for optimal health benefits. Dijon mustard – dijon mustard is pungent and sharp, giving this dressing a bit of a kick. Sea salt – to make all the flavors pop!
Add in some dried fruit like cranberries, cherries, or apricots. Add in some chopped apple or pear. Swap the fresh greens for some raw or roasted brussels sprouts. For a protein boost, add in a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas.
Mains that pair well with autumn quinoa salad
Perfect Baked Chicken Breasts 5-Ingredient Pistachio Crusted Salmon Lemon Herb Butter Roast Chicken
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