Description
Honey Mustard Quinoa Apple Salad is a fresh, filling salad made with fluffy quinoa, crisp apples, peppery arugula, toasted pepitas, parmesan, and crispy shallots tossed in a sweet and tangy honey mustard vinaigrette. Perfect for meal prep, light dinners, or a beautiful side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (180 g) uncooked quinoa
- 2 cups (480 ml) chicken or vegetable stock
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) olive oil
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (plus more for topping)
- 5 cups arugula
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 large crisp apple, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup toasted pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)
- Shaved or grated parmesan
Instructions
- Add quinoa and stock to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 15–20 minutes, until liquid is absorbed. Transfer quinoa to a bowl to cool.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sliced shallots and olive oil. Cook 15–20 minutes, stirring often, until golden and crispy.
- Strain shallots through a sieve set over a bowl to separate oil. Transfer shallots to a paper towel–lined plate and sprinkle with salt. Let oil cool 5 minutes.
- Make the vinaigrette by whisking apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper into the reserved shallot oil. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- In a large bowl, combine quinoa, arugula, parsley, apple, pepitas, and crispy shallots.
- Drizzle vinaigrette over salad and toss gently. Top with parmesan and extra black pepper before serving.
Notes
- Let quinoa cool before mixing to prevent wilting the arugula.
- Use a crisp apple like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith.
- Store leftovers in the fridge up to 2 days.
- Keep crispy shallots separate if making ahead to maintain crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg