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Orange Cranberry Quinoa Salad

June 23, 2018 Leave a Comment

What’s inside: Switch up your usual lunch or side dish options with this tangy and vibrant Orange Cranberry Quinoa Salad!

Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Orange Vinaigrette

There are two reasons I love this Orange Cranberry Quinoa Salad:

  1. healthy make-ahead meal planning
  2. as a quick and easy potluck recipe to bring to parties.

Quinoa salads like this one (which is one of my personal favs) are one of my go-to dishes to bring to parties because they are just so darn easy! Once your quinoa is cooked the salad can be thrown together in under five minutes and popped in the fridge for when you need it.

This quinoa salad is not only fast to make but also sweet and tangy at the same time! It’s full of healthy vegetables, refreshing fruit and good fats to keep you feeling full while providing lasting energy.

It’s sweet enough that kids will love it too! (But it’s naturally sweetened, so you don’t need to worry about the sugar overload in some salad recipes).

I also love the bright colors of this quinoa salad — you just feel good eating it! Something this pretty must be good for your body right? (And it actually is!)

Benefits of Cooking with Quinoa

Quinoa is one of our favorite grains and complex carbs to use in recipes. Here’s why:

  • Packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients
  • Easily takes on the flavors of any recipe
  • A satisfying comfort food that’s not too filling
  • Gluten free
  • One of the original “superfoods”

Because of it’s high nutritional value, quinoa is becoming increasingly popular over other starchy carbs, like rice. Give it a try and you’ll grow to love the rich, nutty flavor! Plus, you’ll get to enjoy all the wonderful health benefits.

quinoa & fruit salad in a white bowl with dressing on side

Fresh Fruit & Quinoa Salad Ingredients

You will need:

  • 3 cups cooked quinoa (3/4 cups dry)
  • 5 radishes, grated
  • 2 carrots, grated
  • 1/2 dried cranberries
  • 1 orange, peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about one medium orange)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed

 

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful:

  • Non-slip mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Whisk
  • Mason jar (for storing dressing)

Keep reading for step by step instructions and prep tips, or scroll to the bottom of the post for a free printable copy of this recipe.

Switch up your usual lunch or side dish options with this tangy and vibrant Orange Cranberry Quinoa Salad!

How to Make Orange Cranberry Quinoa Salad

To make the quinoa salad:

Prepare quinoa according to directions on package and allow to cool to room temperature.

Add cooked quinoa, radishes, carrots, cranberries and oranges to a large mixing bowl and stir together.

To make the orange vinaigrette:

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients (orange juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil and garlic).

Put it all together:

Pour the dressing over the salad and mix until combined. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Salad will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge, so it is perfect to make ahead for parties or for healthy lunches on busy days.

TIP: Right before serving mix in the walnuts so that they stay crunchy!

Be sure to pin our healthy fruit & quinoa salad on Pinterest:

This tangy and vibrant Orange Cranberry Quinoa Salad is perfect for make-ahead healthy meal prep or as a quick & easy potluck party side dish.

Grab our free printable for this Cranberry Orange Quinoa Salad recipe here:

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Orange Cranberry Quinoa Salad

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked quinoa (3/4 cups dry)
  • 5 radishes, grated
  • 2 carrots, grated
  • 1/2 dried cranberries
  • 1 orange, peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • For The Dressing
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about one medium orange)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed

Instructions

  1. Make the salad by combining the cooked quinoa, radishes, carrots, cranberries and oranges in a large bowl and mixing well.
  2. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients (orange juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil and garlic).
  3. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix until combined.
  4. Pop in the fridge until ready to serve.
  5. Right before serving mix in the walnuts so that they stay crunchy!
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https://www.inthekidskitchen.com/orange-cranberry-quinoa-salad/

 

More of our favorite healthy salad recipes:

Healthy Cowboy Taco Salad Recipe

 

Filed Under: Healthy Food, Recipes Tagged With: lunch, salad, side dishes

Healthy Taco Salad (Gluten Free)

August 26, 2017 2 Comments

With fried taco shells, tons of cheese, and globs of sour cream, taco salads are usually anything but healthy! However our Healthy Taco Salad (or as my daughter likes to call it, Cowboy Salad) is not only hearty and satisfying, but it’s actually good for you too!

A healthy taco salad that tastes even better than the "real" thing! Protein packed and super satisfying - gluten free.

Healthy Gluten Free Taco Salad Recipe

Our healthy taco salad isbit different than your typical version (in a good way!) — we use more veggies and include delicious barbecue sauce to jazz things up!

Tip: Feel free to use a sugar-free barbecue sauce, Asian stir fry sauces – whatever you want to customize this salad bowl to your personal preferences.

Healthy Taco Salad Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 cups black beans, cooked
  • 2 Tablespoons BBQ sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 cup lettuce, chopped
  • Parsley, optional garnish

Make it Paleo! Simply omit the beans and BBQ sauce.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

  • Non-stick frying pan
  • Colander
  • Tortilla pans (if you’d like to make gluten-free corn tortilla bowls)


How to Make Healthy Taco Salad

Place a frying pan over medium heat and add the beef, taco spice and BBQ sauce. Cook until the beef is fully browned, about 5 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.

Add the beans and cook until fully warmed through. Taste and adjust seasoning to preference.

Fill your bowls with lettuce, then add 1/2 cup ground beef mixture, a sprinkle of cherry tomaotes and parsley.

Customize your bowls! Serve with your favorite accompaniments like salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. Kids will have a blast making their bowl their own!

For another yummy protein bowl recipe, try our Sweet Potato & Turkey Chili too!

Share & save this Healthy Taco Salad Recipe on Pinterest:

A healthy taco salad that tastes even better than the "real" thing! Protein packed and super satisfying - plus it's gluten free!

Grab your free printable for our Healthy Taco Salad Recipe:

Print
Yum
Healthy Taco Salad (Gluten Free)

Healthy Taco Salad (Gluten Free)

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 cups black beans, cooked
  • 2 Tablespoons BBQ sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 cup lettuce, chopped
  • Parsley, optional garnish

Instructions

  1. Place a frying pan over medium heat and add the beef, taco spice and BBQ sauce. Cook until the beef is fully browned, about 5 minutes.
  2. Drain off any excess fat.
  3. Add the beans and cook until fully warmed through. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  4. Fill your bowls with lettuce, then add 1/2 cup ground beef mixture, a sprinkle of cherry tomaotes and parsley.
  5. Serve with salsa, guacomole and sour cream/cheese on the side for everyone to dress up their taco salad as they'd like.
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https://www.inthekidskitchen.com/healthy-taco-salad/

Do your kids eat salad? What do you add to get them excited about it?

More of our favorite healthy family recipes:

Healthy Veggie Pinwheels

A nutritious (and delicious) alternative to greasy french fries, these Baked Avocado Fries are packed with vitamins and fiber. Plus they're easy to make!

Baked Avocado Fries

Turkey & Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers

Filed Under: Healthy Food, Recipes Tagged With: gluten free, lunch, salad

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Hi there & welcome!

We're Stacey and Jennifer, and we're so glad you stopped by to visit! In the Kids Kitchen is our place to share inspiration to cook, play, and learn with your kids. From tips for teaching kitchen skills, to family-friendly recipes, kitchen crafts & sensory play, cookbook reviews, and more!

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