Posted Feb 05, 2018, Updated Jun 02, 2024 Say goodbye to run-of-the-Mill, ho-hum salads, and say hello to this Asian Quinoa Salad with Peanut Dressing! This plate full of plants is anything but boring! Protein-packed quinoa is loaded with veggies and smothered in a creamy hoisin peanut sauce! Plus It’s gluten and dairy free and vegan friendly! I love this salad because it has a perfect quinoa : vegetable ratio! Every bite is loaded with so many veggies and packed full of flavor! Enjoy this beauty as a meatless main dish or as a side to your favorite protein.
Asian Quinoa Salad: Ingredients & Substitutions
Here are a few possible substitutions in this recipe!
Vegetables. You can substitute your favorite vegetables some ideas include: cucumber, zucchini, water chestnuts, sprouts, etc. Green onion. any onion variety works well in this recipe.
Coconut milk. water is a great substitute for coconut milk. Honey. brown sugar or agave are good substitutes for honey. Sesame oil. Peanut oil, or any other neutral tasting oil, is an acceptable substitute in this recipe, but sesame is the best. Garlic & ginger powder. minced garlic and ginger are great substitute for powdered.
How to Make Asian Quinoa Salad
Let’s discuss how to make asian quinoa salad, and don’t forget to watch the video.
Cook the Quinoa
Begin by cooking the quinoa. Or, you can use leftover cooked quinoa.
Blanch the Broccoli
I personally don’t love raw broccoli, so I blanch it by boiling it in water for about 3 minutes, then immediately rinse it with ice cold water until it is completely cold all the way through. If you enjoy raw broccoli, you can omit this step, however I think pre-cooking helps it soak in the sauce.
Assemble
Next, combine the cooked quinoa and veggies in a large mixing bowl. Then, add the peanut sauce and stir to combine. You can serve the asian quinoa salad immediately at room temperature, or you can chill it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve – and serve it cold!
Serve
Serve room temperate or cold. I enjoy eating this asian quinoa salad recipe both cold or warmed up! It’s really up to your personal preferences.
Store
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. I do not recommend freezing this recipe. If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!
