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Crunchy Thai Quinoa Salad with Peanut Dressing

A vibrant and nutritious salad featuring crispy veggies, chewy quinoa, and a creamy peanut dressing, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish, Salad
Cuisine: Thai
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 cup chopped cucumber
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/2 cup peanuts, chopped
Peanut Dressing
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter (ensure it’s halal)
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

Cooking the Quinoa
  1. In a medium pot, combine 1 cup of rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water. Bring it to a boil over medium heat.
  2. Once boiling, lower the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and all the water has absorbed.
  3. Remove from heat and let it sit for 5 minutes with the lid on. Fluff it with a fork afterward.
Preparing the Vegetables
  1. While the quinoa is cooking, chop your red bell pepper, shred the carrots, and dice your cucumber.
  2. Add the chopped green onions and fresh cilantro to a large salad bowl.
Making the Peanut Dressing
  1. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, peanut butter, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until the dressing is smooth and creamy.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Once your quinoa has cooled down slightly, add it to the bowl with the vegetables.
  2. Pour the peanut dressing over the quinoa and vegetables, then gently toss everything together.
  3. Finally, sprinkle the chopped peanuts on top.
Serving
  1. Give your salad a taste, and adjust the seasoning if necessary. More soy sauce for saltiness, a touch more honey for sweetness, or additional lime juice for tanginess.
  2. Your Crunchy Thai Quinoa Salad with Peanut Dressing is ready to impress! Serve it chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Make sure to rinse quinoa before cooking to remove saponin which can impart a bitter flavor. For meal prep, store the dressing separately until ready to eat.