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    Home » Recipes

    Thai Quinoa Salad

    Published: Apr 19, 2018 / Updated: Feb 14, 2022 / 14 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    This vegan Thai quinoa salad recipe is fresh, easy, and bursting with flavor. The peanut lime dressing is totally addictive! It's fast and fantastic for meal prep.

    Craving more quinoa salads? Try my ranch chicken quinoa salad or this Mediterranean quinoa salad.

    bowl with Thai quinoa salad drizzled with peanut lime dressing

    Why you'll love this salad

    There's just something SO addictive about Thai inspired flavors. Pairing them with quinoa is a no-brainer for making a hearty, totally flavorful salad! It's very filling, and the dressing is perfectly balanced with the fresh veggies. It's the kind of recipe that is ideal for vegan meal prep as well.

    That homemade Thai salad dressing, though! I loved it on this salad, but I'm kinda tempted to drizzle it on everything now. I'm always amazed how much flavor so few ingredients can have. The contrast between peanuts and fresh lime is pure bliss.

    What you'll need

    For the salad

    • Quinoa - it's loaded with nutrients and protein and has great texture for salads
    • Red pepper - adds a pop of color. You can use orange or green or yellow instead, of course!
    • Cucumber - I used mini cucumbers, but English would work too
    • Tomatoes - use grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
    • Onion - red onions are the best variety for salads
    • Basil and cilantro - these herbs add a vibrant freshness and complement the dressing
    • Peanuts - chopped peanuts add a delicious crunch

    For the dressing

    • Peanut butter - the base for many Asian inspired dressings. Make sure to use the creamy kind so the dressing turns out smooth
    • Lime juice - fresh lime juice is a must. Don't use the concentrated stuff
    • Soy sauce - adds a savory balance of flavor
    • Olive oil - emulsifies the dressing
    • Garlic - I can't resist using garlic in salad dressings. Make sure to use fresh garlic cloves and not the stuff in a jar!
    • Water - to thin the dressing out
    close-up of peanut lime dressing on Thai quinoa salad with wooden salad utensils

    How to make quinoa salad

    This is an overview, and full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    • Cook the quinoa according to package directions.
    • Meanwhile, prep the other ingredients and make the dressing. Add the peanut butter, lime juice, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, and water to a food processor, and blend until it's nice and smooth.
    • Once the quinoa has cooled, toss everything together in a large bowl. Serve immediately or chill it first!

    Substitutions and variations

    • This salad is fairly customizable. If you don't have something on hand or don't like an ingredient, it's not a big deal! For example, you can sub the onions or adjust the quantity as needed.
    • I haven't tested it, but substituting farro or another grain will probably work as long as you're confident in cooking it.
    • Want more protein? Throw in some chickpeas or cannellini beans.
    glass bowl with Thai quinoa salad and wooden serving utensils

    Leftovers and storage

    • This quinoa salad will keep well in the fridge for 3-4 days.
    • I like putting individual portions in airtight containers and eating them as light lunches for the next few days.

    More Thai inspired recipes

    • Thai Sweet Potato Coconut Red Curry
    • Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing
    • Easy Thai Chicken Curry
    • 15 Minute Vegan Thai Green Curry Soup
    • Thai Turkey Soup
    bowl with vegan Thai inspired quinoa salad with cucumbers and tomatoes

    I hope this becomes one of your favorite quinoa salad recipes! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below.

    This healthy cold Thai quinoa salad makes a delicious light lunch.  You will love the peanut lime dressing! A great simple vegan/vegetarian salad for meal prep!

    Thai Quinoa Salad

    This vegan Thai quinoa salad recipe is fresh, easy, and bursting with flavor. The peanut lime dressing is totally addictive! It's fast and fantastic for meal prep.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 354 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
    • 1 red pepper chopped
    • 3 Persian (mini) cucumbers or 1/2 English cucumber chopped
    • Handful little tomatoes halved
    • 2 tablespoons red onion chopped
    • 1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
    • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
    • 1/3 cup chopped peanuts
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Dressing:

    • 3 heaping tablespoons peanut butter
    • Juice of 1/2 lime
    • 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • 1/4 cup water

    Instructions
     

    • Cook quinoa according to package directions. Once cooked, set aside to cool.
    • Meanwhile, prep the veggies and herbs.
    • Make the dressing by adding the dressing ingredients to a food processor and processing until smooth (I drizzle the water in while it's running).
    • Once the quinoa is cool, add it to a large salad bowl along with the other ingredients. Toss and season with extra salt & pepper if needed.

    Notes

    • Great for meal prep so you have meals throughout the week.
    • Serves 4-6. 
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 354kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 13gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 191mgPotassium: 610mgFiber: 6gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1306IUVitamin C: 46mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword Thai quinoa salad, vegan quinoa salad
    Author Natasha Bull
    « Easy Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
    Chili Garlic Easy Green Bean Recipe »

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    1. Erin says

      March 29, 2023 at 12:17 PM

      If making this for meal prep can you dress it all at once and store it, or do you need to reserve the dressing until you eat it?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 30, 2023 at 8:51 AM

        I would probably put the dressing on before serving as the quinoa will soak it up.

        Reply
    2. Mariah says

      March 12, 2023 at 12:46 PM

      Do you use regular peanut butter or would all natural work best?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 12, 2023 at 1:25 PM

        I recommend the regular creamy variety if possible.

        Reply
    3. S says

      April 11, 2022 at 11:51 AM

      5 stars
      Wow this recipe was so tasty! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 11, 2022 at 2:32 PM

        You're very welcome!

        Reply
    4. Marissa S. says

      May 1, 2020 at 5:50 PM

      Wondering if you can make this with farro instead of quinoa? I imagine so? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 1, 2020 at 7:11 PM

        Sure!

        Reply
    5. Cindy Neal says

      April 30, 2020 at 8:26 PM

      I haven’t made this yet - I’ll gather the vegetables to make it tomorrow. But here’s what I know about this recipe: **if it’s as good as the ten foolproof, delicious S&L recipes I make all the time, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?** It is definitely going to enter my rotation for the summer.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 1, 2020 at 10:44 AM

        Hahaha thank you!! I hope you like this one too! XO

        Reply
    6. Lynne says

      April 30, 2020 at 9:59 AM

      I have a question. I am also not a fan of quinoa, so I was wondering, do you think this recipe which looks delicious would work with orzo? Thank you, if not I will just have to break down and try the quinoa🤗

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 30, 2020 at 10:03 AM

        I think that would taste great!

        Reply
    7. Natasha's Sister says

      April 19, 2018 at 9:42 AM

      5 stars
      I love quinoa. You're dumb for not liking it. Make this for me now.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 19, 2018 at 10:01 AM

        No.

        Reply

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