Edamame Quinoa Salad
on Apr 26, 2023, Updated Aug 13, 2024
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This healthy edamame quinoa salad makes a delicious side dish or light main that’s perfect for any occasion and is easy to make in less than 30 minutes!
It’s the perfect combination of fresh vegetables and protein-rich quinoa and edamame, all tossed in a tangy sesame ginger dressing.
It’s also easy to make and versatile, so whether you’re looking for a healthy lunch option or refreshing side dish for your next get-together, this salad is a great choice!
Ingredient Notes
Measure the quinoa and dressing ingredients accurately. The vegetable amounts don’t have to be exact.
- Quinoa: You can use white, red or tri-colour quinoa. I recommend rinsing it before cooking.
- Edamame: Frozen shelled edamame is suggested. This can be prepared stovetop or in the microwave before adding to the recipe. Chickpeas would be a suitable substitute.
- Bell Pepper: The recipe calls for red bell pepper but any colour is suitable.
- Cucumber: You can use English cucumber or mini cucumbers.
- Carrot: Use about 1 large carrot. The amount doesn’t have to be exact.
- Cabbage: Use red or green cabbage or prepared coleslaw mix. If you’re slicing your own cabbage, use a mandolin if you have one.
- Green Onion: Fresh green onion (scallion). This could be substituted with about 1/4 cup minced shallot, red onion or white onion.
- Tamari: Use tamari for a gluten-free recipe or you can substitute soy sauce.
- Sesame Oil: Adds sesame flavour to the dressing. Use toasted sesame oil if you have it, otherwise regular sesame oil is fine.
- Oil: Any other oil works here. I’d suggest olive oil or avocado oil.
- Maple Syrup: Use any maple syrup variety or swap or honey or agave syrup.
- Rice Vinegar: You can use seasoned or unseasoned rice vinegar. I prefer unseasoned.
- Sesame Seeds: White or black sesame seeds work. Toast them first for extra flavour, if you like!
- Seasonings: You’ll need ground ginger and garlic powder. You could swap these for 2 cloves of garlic and a small piece of fresh ginger if you grate them so they’re very smooth.
Variations
- For alternative dressings, try this ginger peanut dressing, sesame tahini dressing or citrus dressing.
- For a creamier dressing, omit the extra tablespoon of oil add 2 tbsp tahini.
- Additional or alternative veggies could be sugar snap peas, snow peas, steamed broccoli, green peas or corn. Any of those can be swapped for the bell pepper, carrot or cucumber or you can add up to 1 cup additional vegetables.
- For crunch, add 1/2 cup toasted cashews or peanuts. Hemp seeds would work for a nut-free option and also to boost the nutrition.
- For fresh herbs, add up to 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro.
- For heat, add up to 1 tbsp Sriracha or sambal oelek to the dressing.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Quinoa
The first step is to cook the quinoa. Bring 1.5 cups of salted water and 1 cup of rinsed quinoa to a boil in a medium pot. Once it’s boiling, cover and reduce the heat to low simmer.
Cook it for 14 minutes then remove it from the heat and let it sit with the lid on for 5 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff with a fork.
Step 2: Prepare Remaining Ingredients
While the quinoa is cooking, chop the bell pepper, cabbage, carrot and cucumber. Prepare the edamame as well according to the package instructions.
Step 3: Make the Dressing
Add all of the dressing ingredients to a large bowl and whisk to combine.
Step 4: Assemble the Salad
Once the quinoa is cooked, let it cool for a few minutes then add it to the bowl with the dressing. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix it all up.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, edamame quinoa salad is naturally gluten-free as both edamame and quinoa are gluten-free ingredients.
However, if you’re using any additional ingredients such as a dressing or toppings, be sure to check their labels to ensure they are also gluten-free.
Absolutely. Simply thaw the edamame according to the package instructions before using in the recipe.
Green peas, black beans or chickpeas would make a suitable substitute for edamame.
You can store edamame quinoa salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Keep in mind that the texture of the salad may change slightly as it sits in the fridge. To refresh the salad, you can add additional dressing or a squeeze of lime or lemon juice before serving.
How to Store
- This salad keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- This recipe is not ideal for freezing.
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to comment section below to leave your star rating and review.
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Edamame Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
For the Quinoa Salad
- 1 cup rinsed quinoa
- 1 cup shelled edamame
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1 cup shredded carrot
- 2 cups shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
For the Sesame Dressing
- For the Sesame Dressing
- 2 tbsp tamari
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp ginger powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a medium pot, add quinoa and 1 ½ cups water. Season with salt. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 14 min, or until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Set aside off heat, covered for 5 min, then fluff with a fork. Let quinoa cool slightly before tossing salad.
- While the quinoa is cooking, chop the veggies and prepare the edamame according to package instructions.
- To a large bowl, add tamari, sesame oil, oil, maple syrup, vinegar, sesame seeds, ginger and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, then whisk to combine.
- To the large bowl with dressing, add cooked quinoa, edamame, red pepper, cucumber, carrots, cabbage and green onions. Toss to combine. Sprinkle with more sesame seeds and green onions, if desired.
I love this salad. It is easy and fresh. I added more edamame and used Wegmans seasame ginger dressing to save time. I love this salad. I also will use Asian slaw next time. I love the flavor and crunch and it is healthful! Thank you
Thanks for this recipe. The salad was amazing. I ended up doing 1.5 cups edamame because a half cup didn’t look
Like enough!!! Did you calculate the macros for this salad??
This is quite an old post, so I don’t have the macros for this one! Let me know if you calculate them. Thanks!
You don’t have garlic on the ingred. list but, show it in one of the pics. 3 T finely chopped?
Oops! Hi Peggy, thanks for catching that.
Yes I would say 3 finely chopped cloves of garlic should do it!