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5-Minute Green Goddess Quinoa Salad

By: Lindsey Bomgren, CPT | September 22, 2016
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A healthy blend of colorful veggies tossed together in 5 minutes or less. This 6 ingredient green goddess quinoa salad is every busy woman’s dream bowl.

quinoa salad with greens and lemon in a bowl

This green goddess quinoa salad is one of my favorite easy lunches.

It’s high in fiber, iron, and vitamin C — and it only takes a few minutes to throw together! This is the perfect lunch, group dining side salad, or main dish if you top it with a little extra protein. 

I personally meal prep quinoa at the beginning of the week so I can toss this salad together in about 5 minutes or less.

The fresh lemon and olive oil dressing is just as effortless as the salad.

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5-Minute Green Goddess Quinoa Salad

  • Author: Lindsey Bomgren, CPT
  • Total Time: 20 mins
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Description

The simplest, quickest quinoa salad recipe for a healthy and delicious lunch or dinner. Everyone loves this healthy salad made with quinoa, avocado, cucumber, red onion, broccoli kale slaw and lemon.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed in a fine-mesh colander*
  • 2 cups water*
  • 2 cups broccoli kale slaw
  • 1/4 diced avocado
  • 1/4 cup diced cucumber
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • juice of 1/2 a lemon
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. To cook the quinoa, combine the rinsed quinoa and the water in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then decrease the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, uncovered, until the quinoa has absorbed all of the water, about 15 minutes, reducing heat as time goes on to maintain a gentle simmer. Remove from heat, cover, and let the quinoa rest for 5 minutes, to give it time to fluff up.
  2. In a large bowl combine broccoli kale slaw, diced avocado, diced cucumber, diced red onion and slivered almonds. Mix until well combined.
  3. In a small bowl, combine olive oil and lemon juice. Stir until blended, then set aside.
  4. Once the quinoa is mostly cool, add 1/2 cup cooked quinoa to the serving bowl, and drizzle the dressing on top. Toss until the mixture is thoroughly combined. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.

Notes

*Option to use 1/2 cup cooked quinoa instead. I personally prefer to cook a large batch of quinoa at the beginning of the week and store it in the fridge so I can easily add it to salads during the week. If you don’t prep the quinoa ahead of time, just give yourself extra time to cook it and let it cool before adding it to this salad.
**I like to make a large batch of this salad and divide it into mason jars for on-the-go lunch (1-2 cups) or snacks/side dishes (1/2-1 cup).

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Category: lunch
  • Cuisine: salad

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Quinoa Salad FAQs

Is Quinoa Salad Healthy?

Quinoa is rich in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, so it’s a great option to add to salads. I personally love to add quinoa to greens to bulk them up and add extra protein and fiber! Quinoa is also gluten-free and versatile, allowing for various flavor combinations with fresh vegetables, herbs, and dressings.

Is Quinoa Healthier Than Rice Or Pasta?

Quinoa has more protein and minerals than pasta, couscous, or rice, as well as a more favorable glycemic index. Glycemic index is a measure of how quickly a food can make your blood sugar rise. The lower the number, the less a food will raise blood sugar. Quinoa has a relatively low glycemic index.

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2 comments

  1. Ah life as a entrepreneur!!! My mornings are so far from slow and relaxing…Just like you they are busy busy busy and then the day somehow just disappears before my eyes! I love it though and I love easy throw it together meals. Looks DELISH! XOXO

    • Seriously Katie! I’m sitting here wondering how it’s already 12:30 in the afternoon, my day started at 5:30am and I’ve only checked two-to-three boxes off my to-do list and have so many more to go…but yes this salad is my go-to lunch staple and I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to share it! Enjoy! xo-Lindsey

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