Mango Cucumber Quinoa Salad Recipe

This Mango Cucumber Quinoa Salad recipe is all about fresh flavors and easy preparation. It’s a mix of quinoa, mango, cucumber, avocado, and herbs like cilantro and mint. The dressing is made with orange juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, giving it a tangy kick. Just mix everything together, chill it for a bit, and you’ve got a tasty salad that’s great for any meal.

Quinoa for Mango Cucumber Quinoa Salad Recipe

You can use white quinoa, red quinoa, black quinoa, or a mix of different colors for this recipe. Each type of quinoa has a slightly different flavor and texture, so feel free to use your favorite or mix them for added visual appeal.

How to cook quinoa – Mango Cucumber Quinoa Salad Recipe

Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa, 2 cups water, Salt (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the quinoa by placing it in a fine mesh strainer and rinsing it under cold water for a minute or two. This helps remove any bitterness from the quinoa’s natural coating, called saponin.
2. In a saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa, water, and salt (optional).
3. Place the saucepan over high heat and bring the water to a boil.
4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and let the quinoa simmer for about 15 minutes.
5. After 15 minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes. This allows the quinoa to absorb any remaining liquid and finish cooking.
6. After resting, uncover the saucepan and fluff the quinoa with a fork to separate the grains.
7. Your quinoa is now ready to serve!

Mango Cucumber Quinoa Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

For the salad:

• 1 cup quinoa, cooked and cooled
• 1 ripe mango, diced
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 ripe avocado, diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped

For the dressing:

• Juice from 1 orange
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled quinoa, diced mango, diced cucumber, chopped red onion, chopped cilantro, diced avocado, and chopped mint leaves. Gently toss to combine.
2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients in the large mixing bowl.
4. Gently toss the salad until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt and pepper if needed.
6. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
7. Once chilled, serve the Mango Cucumber Quinoa Salad as a refreshing side dish or a light meal on its own. Enjoy!

This salad is perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or as a healthy addition to your weekday meals. The combination of sweet mango, crisp cucumber, creamy avocado, and zesty orange dressing is sure to delight your taste buds!