So I’ve been making quinoa salads for my family alot lately. Quinoa is great – healthy, fills everyone up, and honestly I can throw whatever leftovers I have into it. But the thing is, it’s pretty bland on its own. The dressing is really what makes or breaks it.
I used to just dump olive oil and vinegar on everything but that gets old fast (and probably not great for the waistline). Here’s what I’ve figured out works better:
Lemon Tahini thing
Tahini is thick and creamy so you dont need much oil. I mix it with lemon juice, garlic, bit of water to thin it out, salt. Warning though – I once forgot the water part and served this thick paste-like salad at my sister’s BBQ. Everyone was too polite to say anything but I could see the faces. Learn from my mistakes.
Apple Cider Vinegar mix
This ones tangy. Apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, tiny bit of honey, splash of olive oil. Really brightens things up.
Citrus herb whatever
I zest oranges or limes (or both if I’m feeling fancy), add the juice, fresh herbs like mint or cilantro, drizzle of honey. Makes even boring quinoa taste fresh. Good with cucumbers, tomatos, avocado if you have them.
Greek Yogurt dressing
When I want something creamy but dont want to feel guilty about it. Plain greek yogurt, dill, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, pepper. Kids actually eat this one.
Some random tips that work for me:
- Adding a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika can save a bland salad
- Fresh herbs are so much better than the dried stuff thats been sitting in your cabinet for 2 years
- Miso paste is weird but adds this deep flavor thats hard to explain, worth trying if you have it
Honestly quinoa salads used to bore me to tears but once you get the dressing right they’re actually pretty good. Just dont serve cement-thick tahini to your relatives, trust me on this one.