Pistachio Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Orange Vinaigrette
A flavorful and refreshing salad that combines the nutty crunch of pistachios, the tart sweetness of dried cranberries, and the fluffy texture of cooked quinoa. The orange vinaigrette adds a burst of citrusy brightness, while the fresh parsley provides a herbaceous touch. This salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner, and can be easily customized to your liking.
The inspiration for this salad came to me on a warm summer day. I was craving something light and refreshing, but also satisfying and flavorful. I had some leftover cooked quinoa in the fridge, and I started to think about what I could add to it to create a delicious salad. I decided to use dried cranberries for their tart sweetness, and pistachios for their nutty crunch. I also added some fresh parsley for a herbaceous touch. To finish it off, I made a simple orange vinaigrette with fresh orange juice, olive oil, honey, and orange zest. The result was a salad that was both light and refreshing, but also packed with flavor. I've been making it ever since, and it's always a hit with my friends and family.
Pistachio Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Orange Vinaigrette Pistachio Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Orange Vinaigrette Pistachio Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Orange Vinaigrette Pistachio Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Orange Vinaigrette
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 0 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 cup quinoa, cooked and cooled
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup shelled pistachios, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, dried cranberries, pistachios, and parsley.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, olive oil, honey or maple syrup, orange zest, salt, and pepper to make the vinaigrette.
  3. Pour the vinaigrette over the quinoa salad and toss to combine.
  4. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together.
  5. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Why It Works
  • The combination of quinoa, cranberries, pistachios, and parsley creates a variety of textures and flavors that make this salad both interesting and satisfying.
  • The orange vinaigrette adds a burst of citrusy brightness that complements the other flavors in the salad.
  • Chilling the salad before serving allows the flavors to meld together and creates a more cohesive dish.