Rainbow Quinoa Summer Salad is bursting with vibrant color and summer flavors. Packed with plant protein and done in less than 30 minutes, it is a great side dish for grilled proteins, picnicking or a quick, light dish anytime!
I love color in my food. I am always excited when presented with colorful, textured food versus food with a ho-hum chromatic appearance. I’m sure you’ve heard about ‘eating the rainbow’; a school of thought which believes the more varied color in one’s diet, the better the overall nutritional value due to the different nutrients in the spectrum of colored foods.
Summer is such an easy time to include lots of color and robust flavors in food. And why should you have to choose between them? This delicious Rainbow Quinoa Summer Salad really includes some of summer’s favorties: vine-ripened cherry tomatoes, fresh corn, basil and more.
Everywhere you turn these days you’ll find quinoa (keen-wah), a South American grain which is lightly flavored, a complete protein with a great texture. It’s similar in texture to bulgur wheat you may have tried in Tabouleh salad. Quinoa is a perfect grain for gluten-free diners especially as a substitute for bulgur. Quinoa cooks in 20 minutes and is available in three colors (red, black and white) offering an easy side dish for dinners on the run, which is also light and nourishing.
For this salad I used Rainbow Quinoa which is a mix of all three colors and is available in most grocery stores (if not, any of the colors may be used on their own). Before its cooked, quinoa is a miniature granule and after it cooks is presents its signature white ‘germ’ which looks a bit like a tail.
Another ingredient I love is edamame (soybeans). Ten years ago the only place you may have encountered them would be if going out for Japanese food where the they are a standard appetizer, cooked and served in their pod for diners to squeeze into their mouths. Now they have become a star ingredient, being packed with protein and great nutrition in the most gorgeous shade of lime green and are widely available in most grocery stores (check the frozen section).
Tossing quinoa and edamame into a chilled salad with seasonal vegetables and herbs, some salty Feta cheese, and freshly squeezed lemon juice seemed a perfect, light (and quick) partner to outdoor grilling. It can be prepared in less than an hour (with the bulk of the time being comprised of ingredient chilling). The colorful visual of this salad, paired with fantastic textures, begs to be gobbled up by vegetable lovers and will enchant those who are more vegetable averse as well with its sunny appearance!
{Quick and Light} Rainbow Quinoa Summer Salad
Ingredients
- ¾ cups Corn Kernels , fresh or frozen; cooked in boiling water for 1 minute, rinsed in cold water, drained and chilled*
- ¾ cups Edamame (shelled), fresh or frozen; cooked in boiling water for 1 minute, rinsed in cold water, drained and chilled*
- 2 cups cooked Rainbow Quinoa (any color quinoa will work), chilled
- 1-15 ounce can Garbanzo beans , drained and rinsed
- ½ cup Red Onion , finely diced
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes , halved (_about 20 if small cherry tomatoes; 15 if large cherry tomatoes_)
- ½ cup baby Carrots , sliced horizontally into rounds
- ¼ cup fresh Basil , thinly sliced then diced
- ½ cup Feta Cheese , crumbled
- 2-3 tablespoons Lemon Juice , freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl or if storing before serving a container with lid, combine the all ingredients except the lemon juice, olive oil, rice vinegar, and salt and pepper. Stir to fully combine the ingredients.
- In a small bowl combine the lemon juice, olive oil, and rice vinegar. Pour over the salad and stir well to fully combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill in the refrigerator, in a closed container until serving.
Recipe Notes
*corn kernels and edamame may be cooked together and chilled in the same container.
This delicious recipe was originally published in May 2013 and has been updated in 2016.
Happy Valley Chow says
Beautiful quinoa, lots of color and flavor 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Monica says
Checking in for another great recipe and I’ve found it in this! Thanks so much.
Pam says
I have been trying to use more quinoa since it is good for you. This sounds like a yummy way to serve it.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That sounds super yummy! I love how light and healthy it is. Quinoa is a super food. I can’t wait to try this.
rachel ferrucci says
This is my kind of salad. I now have the recipe and will be making it!! Thanks
Colleen Lanin says
Such a pretty and healthy salad! I love that it’s full of protein and gluten-free.
Catherine S says
This salad looks really good. I have never had quinoa, but I would like to try it.
Liz Mays says
This looks so good. A quinoa recipe like this would be perfect for quick lunches this summer.
Jeanine says
yum this looks and sounds delicious! anything with quinoa in it I am all for trying out! Looks good, and perfect for summer!
Marcie W. says
Now this is my type of summer dish! Light, yet hearty enough to fill me, and packed with yum.
Lisa Favre says
Summer’s not over just yet. There are still heat waves going on in my neck of the woods and this seems like a perfect after-work meal!
Stefanie says
This salad loos super light and flavorful. I’m already a fan of rainbow quinoa.
Stefanie says
LOOKS!
Brandy says
This looks delicious! I love how filling quinoa is!
MJ.L says
I’ll have to try this. I need to eat healthier and this would be a good start.
felicia says
It has been a while since I’ve made Quinoa. This recipe looks absolutely delicious.
Lisa Joy Thompson says
I love all the colors in your quinoa salad. It’s the perfect change of pace for a side for a bbq!
Amanda Love says
That’s really lovely! I think quinoa is the perfect alternative for rice or pasta especially in summer salads! I’m definitely keeping this recipe since I prefer salads during the summer.
Toni Dash says
I totally agree on the swap Amanda. Quinoa has so much packed into it, it’s a great choice any time.
Robin Rue says
This looks so delicious! I love a good salad.
Mellissa Williams says
I have been looking for new ways to use quinoa. This is a really interesting way that I am going to give a try.
Rachelle says
Oh my this looks amazing and perfect for summer. I will have to make this for my next get together!
Ann Bacciaglia says
This looks like a perfect summer salad. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make some this weekend.
Rosey says
That’s a fun way to use quinoa. I’d like to try it in a salad.
Kita Bryant says
This is a gorgeous salad! I just recently tried quinoa and and definitely sold on it!
Tracey says
Yum! This looks so fresh and light for summer. Definitely going to whip this one up!
Mary Edwards says
This looks delicious. And healthy. Great for my whole family
Nicole Escat says
Oh, I haven’t tried quinoa. I wish I can find something here in our place.
Nikki Wayne says
I like the many benefits of quinoa but I am still having a hard time finding it in our place.
Karlaroundtheworld | Karla says
Soybeans being used here is a nice catchy idea for my tastes. I can go everywhere and any time for a salad like this!
Toni Dash says
I completely agree Karla!