Apple Quinoa Salad with Walnuts and Cranberries
on Jul 21, 2025, Updated Apr 17, 2026
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This healthy apple quinoa salad is a balanced, meal prep-friendly recipe made with quinoa, crisp apples, walnuts and cranberries for the perfect mix of sweet, savory and crunchy. It’s naturally high in fibre, made with whole foods, and comes together in about 25 minutes, making it an easy option for lunches, light dinners or a simple side dish.
If you’re looking for a quinoa salad that actually keeps you full and holds up well for leftovers, this is one to keep on repeat.
Why You’ll Love Apple Quinoa Salad
- Quick and easy. Ready in about 25 minutes with simple, whole-food ingredients.
- Balanced and satisfying. A mix of complex carbs, fibre and healthy fats to keep you full.
- Great for meal prep. Holds up well in the fridge, doesn’t get soggy and tastes even better the next day.
- Sweet and savory flavour. Crisp apples, tart cranberries and lemon dressing balance perfectly.
- Flexible. Easy to customize with extra veggies, different nuts or added protein.
Try some quinoa salad variations with this Kale Quinoa Salad, Summer Quinoa Salad or Edamame Quinoa Salad!
🔍 Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Servings: 4
Nutrition: 414 calories | 9g protein | 7g fibre
Diet: Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free.
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredient Notes
Below is a quick overview of what you’ll need to make the recipe and any substitutions you can make. Use the recipe card with the full list of ingredients and measurements at the bottom of the post when you’re ready to make the recipe.
This is a flexible base recipe. Feel free to swap ingredients based on what you have.
- Quinoa: This salad would also work with barley or farro. Rinse well before cooking to remove bitterness and improve flavour.
- Apple: Use a crisp variety like Honeycrisp or Fuji for the best texture.
- Spinach: Finely chopped kale or arugula would also work. If using kale, just be sure to massage it with 1 tsp olive oil to soften before adding to the salad.
- Cranberries: Omit or swap for raisins, dried blueberries or cherries or chopped dates. Adds sweetness and contrast, reduce slightly if you prefer less sugar.
- Walnuts: Swap for pecans or if you need the salad to be nut-free you can do sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- Lemon: Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar works well as a substitute if you don’t have a lemon on hand.
- Shallot: Red onion is a good substitute.
- Herbs: You can leave the parsley out if you’re not a fan or try mint, basil or cilantro.
Additions
This is a great recipe for adding any extra veggies or other ingredients. Quick tip, make sure to dice all your veggies so you get more in every bite!
- Veggies: Grated carrots, bell pepper or diced cucumber are good additions. Add half a cup of any or all!
- Cheese: For tanginess, serve topped with feta or goat cheese.
- Protein: Add shredded chicken, shrimp, tofu or tempeh for a complete meal.
- Wrap It: Add the salad to a wrap or pita with hummus and lettuce for a quick lunch.
Tips for the Best Apple Quinoa Salad
- Let the quinoa cool slightly before mixing into the salad.
- Dice ingredients small so you get a bit of everything in each bite.
- Taste and adjust salt and lemon before serving.
FAQs
I recommend it, yes. This can help remove any bitterness.
It’s meant to be a cold salad but if serving right away, it will be warm from the quinoa. The flavours improve after chilling, so it works well for making in advance!
Any kind is suitable! I suggest a variety that’s crunchy. If you like it more sour, then green apple is good, sweeter, then Gala, Fuji, Honey Crisp, Cosmic Crisp or any other variety you enjoy.
You can store the salad for 2-3 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Yes, apple quinoa salad is a healthy and balanced option. Quinoa provides complex carbohydrates, fibre, and plant-based protein, while ingredients like apples, spinach, and nuts add vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. This combination helps support steady energy, digestion, and satiety. It works well as a light meal or side dish, especially when paired with an additional protein source if you want something more filling.
Yes, apple quinoa salad is ideal for making ahead. In fact, it often tastes better after a few hours or the next day as the flavours have more time to develop. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2–3 days. For best texture, you can add the spinach and apples just before serving to keep them fresh and crisp, especially if preparing it more than a day in advance.
If you try this Apple Quinoa Salad recipe or any other recipe on Running on Real Food, don’t forget to leave a comment and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comment section below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe, and I love to hear from you. And don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @runningonrealfood so I can see your creation! Thanks for trying my recipes! – Deryn
More Recipes to Try!
Apple Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- salt and pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or crushed
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1/2 cup diced celery, 1 large or 2 small ribs
- 1 apple, diced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 can chickpeas (15 oz) , drained and rinsed
- 2 cups or handfuls fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Rinse the quinoa then cook according to package instructions.
- While the quinoa is cooking, add the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, maple syrup, garlic, shallot and salt and pepper to a large bowl and whisk together.
- Dice the celery and apple, chop the parsley and add to the bowl with the walnuts, cranberries, chickpeas and spinach.
- Once the quinoa is cooked, add and toss to combine. Taste and season if needed. Serve right away or chill until ready to serve.
