Posted Jul 08, 2018, Updated Aug 01, 2024 We basically live on salads in the summer, and this caprese quinoa salad is one of our favorites. It’s loaded with quintessential summer produce items – fresh tomatoes and fresh basil! Add some fresh mozzarella and toss it all in the best balsamic dressing, and this is sure to become your favorite quinoa salad recipe!
Caprese Quinoa Salad: Ingredients & Substitutions
Quinoa. If desired, you can use a different pasta or rice (try caprese orzo salad and caprese pasta salad). Pearl Mozzarella. If you can’t find pearl mozzarella, regular fresh mozzarella chopped into small pieces works well. Cherry Tomatoes. choose your favorite tomato variety. Green Onions. Choose any variety of onions, or omit if desired. Maple Syrup. Honey is a great substitute for pure maple syrup. Olive oil. Avocado oil also works well in this recipe. Mustard. choose your favorite variety, I recommend Dijon mustard. Minced garlic. a pinch of garlic powder can be used in place of minced garlic.
How to Make Caprese Quinoa Salad
Begin by cooking the quinoa and let it cool. You can do this up to 1 day prior to making the salad, and chill the cooked quinoa in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Next, make the dressing. This can also be done a day in advance. I usually make the dressing while the quinoa is cooking/cooling. Simply combine the ingredients in a jar and shake, or in a bowl and whisk to combine. Next, assemble the caprese quinoa salad. Add the ingredients to a large bowl (preferably one with a lid). Then, add the dressing and stir to combine. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours before serving.
Serve
After chilling, taste and adjust the salt and pepper to your liking. Then, transfer the caprese quinoa salad to a serving bowl, garnish with basil and parmesan cheese and serve.
Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Do not freeze. 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!