Quinoa Veggie Peanut Salad (Printable Version)
A colorful, crunchy quinoa bowl with cabbage, peppers, and homemade peanut dressing that's both nutritious and bursting with flavor.
# Everything You’ll Need:
→ Peanut Dressing
01 -
1/3 cup drippy peanut butter
02 -
1/3 cup soy sauce
03 -
3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
04 -
3 tablespoons sesame oil
05 -
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1 lime)
06 -
2 tablespoons water
07 -
1 tablespoon honey
08 -
1 tablespoon chili crisp oil
09 -
1 clove garlic
→ Quinoa Salad
10 -
2 cups uncooked quinoa (6 cups cooked)
11 -
4 cups thinly shredded red cabbage
12 -
1 cup chopped bell peppers
13 -
1 cup matchstick or shredded carrots
14 -
1 cup sliced snap peas
15 -
1 cup chopped cilantro
16 -
1/2 cup sliced green onions
17 -
Crushed peanuts, for garnish
18 -
2 cups chopped grilled chicken thighs (optional)
# Steps to Cook:
01 -
Cook quinoa according to package instructions. Fluff the quinoa when finished cooking and allow it to cool to prevent wilting the vegetables.
02 -
Combine peanut butter, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, lime juice, water, honey, chili crisp oil, and garlic in a blender and blend until smooth.
03 -
If using chicken, heat the grill to medium-high. Drizzle chicken thighs with olive oil and season with salt and pepper on both sides. Grill over direct medium-high heat for about 5-7 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 175°F. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes, then thinly slice.
04 -
Thinly slice the red cabbage, ideally using a mandolin. Chop carrots and bell peppers into small matchsticks. Slice snap peas into 1/2-inch pieces. Slice green onions and chop the cilantro.
05 -
In a large bowl, toss together cooked quinoa, prepared vegetables, and peanut sauce. Reserve about 1/2 cup of peanut sauce for drizzling. Top the salad with sliced chicken (if using), and garnish with crushed peanuts and extra cilantro.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 -
Use drippy peanut butter for a smooth dressing. If the dressing is too thick, add water one tablespoon at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.