cranberry quinoa salad

This tasty cranberry quinoa salad&nbsp;is packed with juicy cranberries, vibrant veggies, and homemade candied walnuts!

Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Candied Walnuts

dry quinoa

vegetable broth

fresh cranberries (or 1 cup dried cranberries)

broccoli florets

TBSP chopped green onion

salt and pepper

unsalted walnuts

unsalted butter

brown sugar

TBSP honey (or sugar if vegan)

salt

olive oil oil

garlic (smashed and minced [1/4 tsp])

lime juice

TBSP orange juice

tsp black pepper

First rinse + drain your quinoa using a mesh strainer/sieve

Bring a medium saucepan to medium heat and lightly toast the quinoa to remove any excess water. Stir as it toasts for just a few minutes. This step is optional but really adds to the fluff factor of the quinoa!

Next add your broth and bring pot to a boil.

Once it's boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer, covered with the lid slightly ajar, for 12-13 minutes.

If you're using frozen cranberries, add them to the pot after 6-8 minutes; if you're using dried or fresh cranberries add them in around the 9-10 minute mark and recover.

Test the cranberries before pulling from heat to make sure they've had enough time to cook, then remove from heat.

Once your quinoa and cranberries are done, season with a teeny bit of salt and pepper, fluff gently with a fork, and set aside.

While your quinoa cools, add a little water to that same pot and bring to a boil. Gently blanch your broccoli florets until bright green and al-dente (you want it to still be a bit firm yet tender, not mushy) which should only take a few minutes.

Drain, chop into bite-sized bits, and add to the quinoa along with chopped green onion.

Place quinoa in the fridge while you prep your dressing and walnuts.

DRESSING: Smash and mince garlic into a paste and combine with all remaining dressing ingredients. Whisk well and set aside.

CANDIED WALNUTS: Heat a skillet or saucepan to medium heat and butter to melt. Next add in your chopped walnuts, honey, salt, and sugar. Saute for 5-6 minutes and pour over parchment paper, using a spatula to separate the nuts. Otherwise you'll have yummy walnut brittle that you'll want to break apart over your salad, which is no big deal either! Yum! Allow to cool for several minutes until the coating hardens and your walnuts have officially been candied! Woot! Try not to eat them all before they hit the salad.

Grab your bowl-o-quinoa and top with the walnuts. Drizzle with dressing just before digging in! Serve this up as a salad for lunch [I ate the entire thing myself, ha! It can easily serve 2 if needed] or serve it up as a colorful side dish to stretch it to 4 servings. Serve it chilled or at room temperature, it's great both ways! Enjoy!

This cranberry quinoa salad with pomegranate, feta, kale and butternut squash is a gorgeous, vibrant and healthy side dish to serve at any occasion, but is especially appropriate for Fall and Winter! Make it in advance to allow all of the flavors to intensify! {Gluten-free, Vegetarian &amp; Nut-free}

Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate, Kale & Butternut Squash

butternut squash

olive oil

quinoa

kale leaves

pomegranate seeds

cranberries

pumpkin seeds

feta cheese

apple cider vinegar

maple syrup

orange juice

Dijon mustard

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the diced squash on a baking sheet and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Roast squash for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until soft and tender when pierced with a fork.

Meanwhile, cook quinoa in broth according to package directions.

While the squash and quinoa are cooking, combine dressing ingredients in a small bowl or jar and whisk until well combined.

Place kale in a large bowl and pour on half the dressing. Massage leaves for about 2-3 minutes until softened.

Next add cooked quinoa, squash, pomegranate seeds, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds and feta cheese and mix until ingredients are equally distributed.

Pour remaining dressing over the salad and mix until evenly distributed.

Place salad in fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to come together.

Top 2 cranberry quinoa salad recipes from across the web

The most viewed cranberry quinoa salad recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine

Top Tags

Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Candied...

Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate, Kale...

Top 2 cranberry quinoa salad recipes from across the web

The most viewed cranberry quinoa salad recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Candied...

Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate, Kale...

The most viewed cranberry quinoa salad recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine