A Salad That Feels Like the Holidays
The holiday season is all about flavors that bring warmth, comfort, and joy. This festive quinoa cranberry goat cheese salad is everything you want in a holiday side dish or light main course. With its blend of fluffy quinoa, sweet cranberries, tangy goat cheese, and a nutty honey almond dressing, it’s a delightful combination of textures and flavors. Plus, it’s so easy to make that you can whip it up even during the busiest time of year!
What Goes Into This Quinoa Salad and Why the Ingredients Are Healthy
This salad is a nutrient-packed dish full of wholesome ingredients. We all know I love a good nutritious salad, and I think this one takes the cake!
Let’s take a look at the amazing ingredients in this quinoa salad recipe and how they are individually so good for you and your body.
- Quinoa: A complete protein that’s rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Cooking it in broth or with a bouillon cube adds an extra layer of flavor to its natural nuttiness.
- Dried Cranberries: These little gems add a touch of sweetness and are a good source of antioxidants and fiber.
- Chopped Parsley: Don’t underestimate parsley! It’s loaded with vitamin C, vitamin K, and immune-boosting properties.
- Red Bell Pepper: Bright and crisp, red peppers provide a burst of color along with vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
- Green Onions: Subtle in flavor but powerful in nutrition, they offer a gentle onion flavor and a dose of vitamin K.
- Goat Cheese: Creamy, tangy, and lower in lactose than many other cheeses, goat cheese brings a luxurious texture and a savory contrast to the sweet cranberries.
The dressing, made with almond butter, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and honey, ties everything together. It’s packed with healthy fats, a touch of sweetness, and a boost of vitamin C from the lemon juice. This is going the be the best quinoa salad you’ve ever had
Why You’ll Love This Salad and Why It’s Perfect for the Holidays
This salad is more than just nutritious—it’s a showstopper! Its vibrant colors and festive ingredients make it a stunning addition to any holiday table. It’s quick and simple to prepare, but it looks and tastes like you spent hours crafting it.
The balance of flavors is what sets this salad apart: the nuttiness of the quinoa, the tanginess of the goat cheese, the sweet pop of cranberries, and the velvety almond honey dressing. Plus, it’s versatile—serve it as a side with your holiday roast or as a light, vegetarian-friendly main dish.
Another reason to love this dish is its adaptability. If you have guests with dietary restrictions, it’s gluten-free and can be easily made dairy-free by swapping goat cheese for a plant-based alternative.
You will also love my other nutrient packed salads if you want to give them a try!
A Festive Dish You’ll Want to Make Again and Again
This quinoa cranberry goat cheese salad is the perfect mix of festive flavors and wholesome nutrition. Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner or bringing a dish to share, this salad is bound to be a crowd favorite. Not only will it brighten up the table, but it will leave everyone feeling good about indulging in something healthy and delicious.
So, grab your ingredients, whip up the almond honey dressing, and bring a little extra cheer to your holiday meal!
Festive Quinoa Cranberry Goat Cheese Salad with Honey Almond Dressing
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...Festive quinoa cranberry goat cheese salad with almond honey dressing—healthy, vibrant, and perfect for the holidays. Easy to make, gluten-free, and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup finely diced red pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 4 green onions
- 300 grams goat cheese
- Broth or bouillon cube for cooking quinoa
- For the dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 lemon, juiced
- salt & pepper
Instructions
Prepare the quinoa:
Use a 2-1 ratio of quinoa to water/broth. The best flavor is when you use broth or bouillon to cook the quinoa, otherwise use salted water. Bring 2 cups of broth to a boil, add quinoa and lower heat to low. Cover and let cook for about 20 minutes until all water is absorbed. Fluff quinoa with a fork.
Prepare the rest of the ingredients by chopping red pepper, onions and parsley.
Prepare the dressing:
Whisk together all ingredients and generously use salt & pepper to taste
Combine all the above ingredients in a large bowl, then top with goat cheese and serve!
Nutrition
-
300 Calories
-
29g Carbohydrates
-
30mg Cholesterol
-
16g Fat
-
3g Fiber
-
9g Protein
-
5g Saturated fat
-
30mg Sodium
-
11g Sugar
-
6g Unsaturated fat
Notes
The nutritional information provided is an estimate only, using an online nutritional calculator, and can vary depending on the products used. It does not substitute for professional nutritional advice. It is essential to consult your healthcare provider or physician before implementing any suggestions or ideas mentioned in the blog.
salads View All
-
December 19, 2024
-
December 18, 2023
-
October 20, 2021
No Comments