Simple to make, healthy and delicious, this Caprese Quinoa Salad is a huge crowd pleaser! It will be ready in 30 minutes and is packed with protein.
When I think of summer foods, I picture light salads, grilled vegetables and of course, fun cocktails! (We all believe in moderation, right?)
This salad is so fresh and light and packed with protein, even without any meat. Quinoa provides all the essential amino acids (building blocks of protein) and the vegetables, fresh basil and mozzarella pack on the flavor!
I am always looking for easy to make salad recipes made with fresh ingredients, especially during the summer. I love any salad that I can make ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for a quick lunch.
Why You Should Make This Quinoa Salad
This whole recipe can be ready in 30 minutes, from start to finish. It also tastes delicious if you let it sit for a few hours in the refrigerator to let it "marinate" a bit.
But that's if you are patient enough to wait.
Everyone loves this delicious salad and I love to make it for parties and gatherings. It's always the first dish to be finished too, which I will take as a good sign.
This quinoa salad only has 8 very simple ingredients to make this. I love to visit my local farmer's market to get my fresh basil, tomatoes and mozzarella.
Recipe FAQ's and Expert Tips
Yes, of course you can. The mozzarella might melt a bit, but it will still taste delicious.
Yes! I have made this with feta and burrata before and both of them were divine. Get creative and use whatever cheese you'd like.
You can use arugula or even fresh oregano if you'd like. Or you can leave out the basil completely and add little more garlic.
Related Recipes
Avocado Tomato Bean Quinoa Salad with Chia Balsamic Vinaigrette from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Spiralized Beet and Quinoa Salad from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Favorite Quinoa Salad from Eating Bird Food
Lemony Kale Lentil Quinoa Salad from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Delicious Quinoa Salad from Cookie and Kate
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Caprese Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked quinoa rinsed and drained
- 32 ounces vegetable broth
- ½ cup red grape tomatoes halved
- ½ cup yellow grape tomatoes halved
- ½ cup fresh mozzarella sliced
- ¼ cup fresh basil. torn and chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 clove garlic diced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook quinoa in vegetable broth according to instructions.
- Allow to cool completely.
- Prepare dressing by adding oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper in sealable glass jar. Shake well.
- Add tomatoes, basil and mozzarella cheese to cooled quinoa.
- Toss with dressing and allow to sit in the refrigerator for a couple of hours so all of the flavors marinade.
Kristen @A Mind Full MOm
You won me over. Quinoa. Caprese. Balsamic. Heaven!
lauren.kelly
I totally agree Kristen! HEAVEN!
Julie
What a beautiful dish, perfect for summer!
lauren.kelly
Thank you Julie!
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons
This looks like a salad that could keep me happy for days! Thanks, Lauren!
lauren.kelly
Yes, definitely makes you happy 🙂
Allie | Baking a Moment
Such a perfect summer dish and I love that your boys helped you with this post! Hope you're enjoying the summer so far 🙂
lauren.kelly
Thanks Allie!! Happy Summer to you!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
This looks awesome! I love how colorful this is!
lauren.kelly
Thank you!
Beverley Press
loving this recipe even more, I made it at the weekend and all I can say is More more more 🙂
lauren.kelly
Yay! Love that Beverly!!
Dee
I CANNOT WAIT TO MAKE THIS CAPRESE QUINOA SALAD! IT LOOKS SOOOOOOO GOOD!!!
lauren.kelly
I hope you love it as much as we do Dee!
Diana
Just made this salad tonight but put a twist on it...added the cherry tomatoes with tomato and basil Feta cheese, avocado, and asparagus. Made your dressing as well...super excited to see how it turns out!!
lauren.kelly
Ooooh that sounds delicious Diana! Let me know how you like it!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
I'm all about those same foods during the summer. I love anything that's "caprese"
lauren.kelly
Yes Angie! Caprese everything 🙂
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
Nice! I love grain salads of every kind and that fluffy bed of quinoa looks perfect for this caprese salad!
lauren.kelly
Quinoa is the best!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
I love trying different quinoa salads! This one sounds so good!
lauren.kelly
Thank you!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan
My daughter and I adore quinoa! And I am always looking for unique ways to enjoy it and this sounds so wonderful - love, love the tomatoes and mozzarella in this!
lauren.kelly
Thanks Shashi! I hope you both like it!
Nutmeg Nanny
This looks so delicious! I'm not a huge fan of quinoa plain but I love it when it can soak up delicious dressing flavors. This looks awesome!
lauren.kelly
YES!! You need aaaaaall the flavors 🙂