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Recipe
spring vegetable quinoa salad in a serving bowl with wooden spoon.

Spring Vegetable Quinoa Salad

Yield: 8 servings 1x
Prep: 15 minutesCook: 30 minutesTotal: 45 minutes

This Spring Vegetable Quinoa Salad is packed with asparagus, peas, radishes, pistachios and tons of fresh herbs in a bright lemon dressing. Vibrant and delicious, it’s perfect to make-ahead for a Spring potluck or holiday gathering!

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Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 cups dry quinoa
  • 2 lemons, zested and juiced
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • kosher salt, to taste
  • 2 cups fresh asparagus, woody stems removed and thinly sliced (approx. 12 spears)
  • 2 cups fresh English peas or frozen sweet peas, thawed and drained
  • 2 cups fresh snap peas, sliced (approx. 4 oz)
  • 2 cups radishes, cut into matchsticks (approx. 9 oz)
  • 1 cup shelled roasted pistachios
  • 4 green onions, trimmed and thinly sliced
  • 1 cup chopped mixed fresh dill and mint
  • fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

To make up to 3 hours ahead:

  1. Cook the quinoa: Cook the quinoa as per box directions. Make sure it is completely cooked and as much of any remaining cooking liquid as possible has drained away.
  2. Make the dressing: In the bottom of a large mixing bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice, the olive oil and a generous pinch of salt.
  3. Add the vegetables: Stir in the sliced asparagus and allow to marinate for about 10 minutes while you prep the rest of the vegetables, and roughly chop the pistachios. Stir the peas, snap peas, radishes, chopped pistachios and green onions into the asparagus slices, followed by the cooked quinoa.
  4. Add the herbs: Stir in 2 tablespoons more of the lemon juice before adding the herbs and seasoning to taste with salt, pepper, and a little more lemon juice if you think it needs it.
  5. Chill & serve: Chill, covered in the fridge for up to 3 hours and bring to room temperature before serving.

To make up to 24 hours ahead:

  1. Cook the quinoa: Cook the quinoa as per box directions. Make sure it is completely cooked and as much of any remaining cooking liquid as possible has drained away.
  2. Make the dressing: In the bottom of a large mixing bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice, the olive oil and a generous pinch of salt.
  3. Add the vegetables: Stir in the sliced asparagus and allow to marinate for about 10 minutes while you prep the rest of the vegetables. Roughly chop the pistachios and set aside. Stir the peas, snap peas, radishes, and green onions into the asparagus slices, followed by the cooked quinoa. 
  4. Season & chill: Stir in 2 tablespoons more of the lemon juice before seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. Chill, covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
  5. Finish & serve: To serve, bring the salad up to room temperature and stir in the chopped pistachios and fresh herbs. Check the seasoning again and add a little more salt, pepper and lemon juice if needed.

Notes

Make-ahead: It’s best to add the herbs and nuts soon before serving if you’re making this for guests; however, this salad will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors of the herbs will become a little less pronounced over time and the pistachios will soften as they sit in the dressing. It will still make a delicious lunch, though, possibly bulked up with some crumbled feta.

Quinoa: This recipe requires 4 cups of cooked quinoa if you want to prep that up to 4 days before serving. 

Nuts: Toasted hazelnuts or almond slivers would make good substitutions for the pistachios; pine nuts too but they will soften quickly so they’re only a good option if you’re planning on serving this salad straight away. 

Nutrition information estimated with My Fitness Pal. 

Nutrition Information

  • Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
  • Calories: 288
  • Fat: 15g
  • Carbohydrates: 31g
  • Fiber: 8g
  • Protein: 11g
© Author: Danielle
Method: Stovetop