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Three Fast & Easy Quinoa Recipes

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Three Fast & Easy Quinoa Recipes

Need some lunch inspiration?  Try my easy quinoa salad recipes!

I’d like to thank ALDI for sponsoring this post about delicious and simple quinoa salads (all 7 ingredients or less!)  As always, all opinions are my own.  I sincerely thank you for supporting posts like this that allow me to publish this blog for free.

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

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There’s nothing new about quinoa in the healthy living community, but this goodie still deserves some solid respect in my book!  You just can’t beat this powerhouse whole grain food (technically a seed!) for its nutrition profile which includes protein, fiber, folate, iron and a slew of other useful nutrients.  As a mainly plant-based eater, anything with protein is a winner in my book.

That’s why these lovely little morsels remain a solid part of my diet. It’s like foodie perfection in a cup!

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

After cooking, the little grains are an ideal fluffy addition to so many dishes… but by far my favorites are easy quinoa salad recipes.

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

I’ve been buying my quinoa lately from ALDI!  You can’t beat their SimplyNature Organic Quinoa for quality and price.

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

I’ve had a lot of quinoa over the years, and their version is delicious and less expensive!  Plus since its part of their SimplyNature line, I know it’s free of artificial colors, flavors and unnecessary enhancers.  Many of the products in this line are organic as well.

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

Quinoa is often a lunch solution for me.  I’ll go on kicks where I’ll make sandwiches, salads or even quesadillas.  I’ll eat whatever I’m feeling for a few weeks, get tired of it and then move on to the next thing.

BUT one of my all-time favorite cravings that pops into rotation is quinoa salad.  It’s so fast to put together, light and healthy!  I’ll serve it alone or on a big bowl of greens (which you can also get at ALDI) for extra nutrients.

Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes

There are so many versions of easy quinoa salad, but there are a few easy quinoa salad recipes that are my favorites!  I thought I’d share all three recipes with you today to get you inspired to try the SimplyNature Organic Quinoa at ALDI and to mix up your lunch.

First up is my Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad.  It’s probably the first easy quinoa salad recipe I ever made.

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

My version could not be easier with only 7 ingredients, including the quinoa!  Another star of the recipe is the SimplyNature Organic Black Beans.  I go through SO many cans of these.

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

To make it you just rinse and drain the black beans.  Next chop up the tomatoes, green onions and avocado.

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

The flavoring is lots of lime and cilantro.  You could add an oil of your choosing, but with the avocado it’s not that necessary, as there’s enough flavor as is.

Yummm…. avocado….

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

It’s probably no surprise that I make this easy Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad Recipe the most.  It satisfies my Mexican food hankering that I seem to get every few days.

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

Yum! Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad from Running in a Skirt #ALDIgram @aldiusa Click To Tweet

Next up is my Heirloom Caprese Quinoa Salad!

It’s like summer in a bowl. 

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

This easy quinoa salad recipe only uses 5 ingredients, all found at ALDI!

I used ALDI Fit & Active Balsamic Vinaigrette, Dakota’s Pride Great Northern Beans and Priano Fresh Mozzarella in Marinade.  The Fit & Active line offers products with less fat, less sodium and fewer calories.

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

This one is even easier than the last!  The only chopping required is halving the tomatoes.

Look at those GORGEOUS heirloom tomatoes I got at ALDI.  I’ve bought them every week since I discovered them.

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

The white beans are optional and may not suit everyone’s taste, but I like the added protein in this dish!  It makes it an even more well-rounded lunch.

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

With or without the beans, this Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad could not be an easier, tastier lunch.

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

Summer in a bowl- Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad from Running in a Skirt #ALDIgram @aldiusa Click To Tweet

My third easy quinoa salad recipe is great for those days you are craving something sweet.

I’ll just warn you, though… my Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad is downright addictive!

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

This is another 7 ingredient recipe, and I got all those delectable fruits in the ALDI fresh produce department.  I’ve gotten some incredible produce there at such great deals.

The star of the dish is SimplyNature Organic Wildflower Honey.  It’s pure honey perfection at a fraction of the price!

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

The recipe starts with chopping the strawberries and mango.  If you don’t know how to chop and peel a mango, make sure to check out my video sharing my mango cup trick.  It will change the way you do mangoes!

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

This round gets tossed together with lots of lime and a touch of honey!  It’s only a few tablespoons for the whole recipe, so it’s not too much added sugar or sweetness.

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

The result is so delicious and all from products found at ALDI.  It’s great as a lunch, but could even be an unconventional breakfast, too!

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

Holy sweetness... Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad from Running in a Skirt #ALDIgram @aldiusa Click To Tweet

All three of these yummy, fast and easy quinoa salad recipes are made using products entirely from ALDI.  I’ve really been enjoying shopping there and have loved the lower grocery bills!  Check out more of my favorite ALDI products here.  I also encourage you to visit an ALDI store on your own.  Find your closest location here!

Transform your lunch with these 3 Easy & Fast Quinoa Salad recipes from Running in a Skirt! #ALDIgram @aldiusa Click To Tweet
4.78 from 9 votes
3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt
Print
Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 
Healthy quinoa salad featuring Mexican flavors!
Servings: 2 -4 servings
Author: Julie Wunder
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup SimplyNature Organic Quinoa
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 can SimplyNature Organic Black Beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 avocado diced
  • 1 cup heirloom cherry tomatoes halved
  • 2 green onions sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 2 limes juiced
  • 1/4 teaspoon Stonemill salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Stonemill pepper
Instructions
  1. Cook the quinoa in salted water according to package instructions.
  2. Allow quinoa to cool to at least room temperature.
  3. Mix all ingredients together.
  4. Salt and pepper to taste.
4.78 from 9 votes
3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt
Print
Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes - Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 
A healthy summer lunch!
Servings: 2 -4 servings
Author: Julie Wunder
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup SimplyNature Organic Quinoa
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 8 ounce package Priano Fresh Mozzarella in Marinade removed from the oil
  • 1/2 cup Dakota's Pride Great Northern Beans rinsed and drained
  • 1/4 cup Fit & Active Light Balsamic Vinaigrette
  • 1/2 lemon juiced
  • 1/4 teaspoon Stonemill iodized salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Stonemill ground pepper.
  • optional garnish: fresh basil
Instructions
  1. Cook the quinoa in salted water according to package instructions.
  2. Allow quinoa to cool to at least room temperature.
  3. Mix all ingredients together.
  4. Salt and pepper to taste.
4.78 from 9 votes
3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt
Print
Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 
A sweet and fruity quinoa salad!
Servings: 2 -4 servings
Author: Julie Wunder
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup SimplyNature Organic Quinoa
  • 1 cup strawberries diced
  • 1 mango diced
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  • 1/2 cup blackberries
  • 2 limes juiced
  • 2 tablespoons SimplyNature Organic Honey
Instructions
  1. Cook the quinoa in salted water according to package instructions.
  2. Allow quinoa to cool to at least room temperature.
  3. Mix all ingredients together.
Transform your lunch with these 3 Easy & Fast Quinoa Salad recipes from Running in a Skirt! #ALDIgram @aldiusa Click To Tweet

Like my Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes? I’d love it if you could pin this to your favorite Pinterest board! Thank you so much for the support. 

3 Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes- all less than 6 ingredients! Heirloom Tomato Caprese Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Mango Berry Quinoa Salad and Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad / Running in a Skirt

Thanks for stopping by today! Tomorrow I’m sharing a Strawberry Mint Nice Cream that’s perfect for summer.

Your turn!

Which quinoa salad would you like to try first?

 

I’m linking my Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes with: Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah, Meatless Monday with Annmarie and Rachel, Delicious Dish Tuesday, What’s Cookin’ Wednesday, Full Plate Thursday with Miz Helen, FoodFriDIY,  Foodie Friday, and the Weekend Potluck.  Thanks so much ladies for the link up parties
By | 2018-06-28T13:46:58-04:00 May 22nd, 2017|All Vegetarian, Food, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Meals|67 Comments

67 Comments

  1. Cucumber Avocado and Feta Simple Quinoa Salad recipe August 6, 2018 at 5:00 am - Reply

    […] in a Skirt…  Meditteranean Quinoa Salad, Protein-Packed Asian Edamame Quinoa Salad, Honey Lime Berry Quinoa Salad, Caprese Quinoa Salad just to name a few!  BUT it’s such a great way to have a healthy […]

  2. kimmythevegan June 9, 2017 at 11:09 pm - Reply

    I LOVE quinoa. It’s so good! And versatile. And a protein powerhouse. Woot!
    The black bean salad sounds so good. I make something similar to that frequently for my work lunches. I like the idea of adding avocado to it.
    And I have never thought of making a fruit salad with quinoa – what a great idea =)

  3. Atim at EffiFit May 27, 2017 at 10:50 pm - Reply

    These quinoa recipes look delicious! I’ll have to try the fruit one, I’ve never done a sweet quinoa salad before.

  4. Lisa @ NatureImmerse May 26, 2017 at 12:00 am - Reply


    Last week, I made roasted shrimp quinoa spring rolls – Quinoa is a wonderful protein-packed substitute for rice noodles in these easy peasy spring rolls.

  5. Kristina @ Love & Zest May 24, 2017 at 9:43 pm - Reply


    Aldi is loved in my house! So much goodness without breaking the bank! And a healthy wholesome selection! These quinoa salads look amazing!

    • Kristina @ Love & Zest May 24, 2017 at 9:45 pm - Reply


      Oh my gosh, I clicked five stars (or thought I did) and it only clicked four so I’m doing it again for 5!! 😉

  6. Sonali- The Foodie Physician May 24, 2017 at 10:07 am - Reply


    These salads sound fantastic! And so healthy and simple to make!

  7. Amanda Brooks May 23, 2017 at 10:13 am - Reply

    You had me at easy 🙂 ha! I never would have thought of the fruit version!

  8. Jenn May 23, 2017 at 8:48 am - Reply

    They all look so yummy! I would totally eat that Berry Quinoa Bowl for breakfast!

  9. Chrissy @ Snacking in Sneakers May 23, 2017 at 7:33 am - Reply

    These look amazing! I LOVE Aldi. Seriously, I save so much money there compared to other grocery stores. It’s by far my fav place to shop.

  10. Emily | EmPowered Nutrition May 22, 2017 at 11:29 pm - Reply


    The berry salad looks amazing! I love the different twist on simple quinoa salads. These seem like the perfect summertime lunch options!

  11. Barrie May 22, 2017 at 9:25 pm - Reply

    I love this brand at ALDI’s- they actually have a lot of great organic or natural food products! I was suprised! These recipes look so fresh and healthy!

  12. Emily Kyle May 22, 2017 at 9:15 pm - Reply


    This quinoa from Aldi is seriously my favorite product to buy! I will leave my other grocery store just to get this quinoa, it is a fantastic product at a great price! Yay Aldi 🙂

  13. [email protected] the Long Way Home May 22, 2017 at 9:11 pm - Reply

    These look great for lunch! I’m pinning them so I can have some ideas for summer lunches!

  14. Jessica @Nutritioulicious May 22, 2017 at 8:28 pm - Reply

    My mouth is watering with each of these! The mango berry one is genius!

  15. Blane Sherer May 22, 2017 at 7:36 pm - Reply

    That’s a lot of nice healthy options.

  16. Tasting Page May 22, 2017 at 5:46 pm - Reply

    I think you just set me up for all my summer picnics. Great, easy to prepare salads!

  17. Chelley @ A is For Adelaide May 22, 2017 at 5:39 pm - Reply

    I LOVE your ideas! We are huge quinoa fans here, but I NEVER thought to add fruit! Can’t wait to try it out this week!

  18. Mary Beth Jackson May 22, 2017 at 5:02 pm - Reply

    Well you had me at 7 ingredients of less! I love the caprese salad idea- that might become a quick summer favorite for me! Beautiful dishes! I will give my Aldi store a second look 🙂

  19. Jolina May 22, 2017 at 4:38 pm - Reply

    We love quinoa! It’s a staple in our diet and we’re always looking for new recipes to try it on. Your salad recipes look gorgeous. You bet we’re trying them out soon! Perfect for summer too.

  20. Abbey Sharp May 22, 2017 at 4:19 pm - Reply

    I can’t choose! All these salads look so delicious! Also loving the colour

  21. Christina Bauer May 22, 2017 at 4:14 pm - Reply

    I absolutely LOVE Aldi and am so happy they have continuously improved their products! These salad recipes look totally delish, and are a great way to mix it up at lunch time. I make salads like this for picnics and beer garden dinners, because they pack all the desired nutrition, flavor, and portability into one simple dish 🙂

    • JulieWunder May 24, 2017 at 5:27 pm - Reply

      Yay! I’m so glad you like it. ALDI really is the best.

  22. Saidah May 22, 2017 at 2:46 pm - Reply

    Aldi is one of my favorite grocery stores. I shop there once a week. I love how you took the quinoa and presented it in three different fun and unique recipe ideas.

  23. Annmarie May 22, 2017 at 1:46 pm - Reply

    Wow – look how bright and beautiful these dishes are!!! I’ll take a plate of each 🙂

  24. Jaime May 22, 2017 at 1:34 pm - Reply


    I love Aldi’s SimplyNature line! We shop at Aldi almost weekly, and get great deals on a lot of organic products. (I need them to start carrying Riced Cauliflower – that’s not too much to ask, right?) 🙂

    • JulieWunder May 24, 2017 at 5:20 pm - Reply

      That would be amazing!!! Maybe they’ll read this! lol!

  25. Laura May 22, 2017 at 1:30 pm - Reply

    I was literally just thinking about making quinoa for dinner tonight! ??

  26. Neely Moldovan May 22, 2017 at 10:45 am - Reply

    I love making stuff with qinoia! Recently rice cauliflower too! So good and filling!

  27. Emily May 22, 2017 at 10:01 am - Reply

    Heirloom tomatoes are always so yummy; I love that you took the simple grain quinoa and turned it into 3 ways to enjoy a delicious salad. I haven’t had quinoa in a while.

  28. Sarah May 22, 2017 at 9:56 am - Reply

    I love a good quinoa salad! So healthy and delicious and great to make ahead for lunch or dinner. I can’t decide which one I’d make first. Two are close to ones I’ve made. I could really go for the fruit one for breakfast right now!

  29. Liz @ I Heart Vegetables May 22, 2017 at 9:51 am - Reply


    Yum! I love how versatile quinoa is! I’m definitely going to try one of these variations 🙂

  30. Taylor Kiser May 22, 2017 at 8:51 am - Reply

    I love quinoa! These are such a great idea for getting out of a lunch rut! They’re perfect too for meal prep for the week! Can’t wait to try all 3!

  31. Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner May 22, 2017 at 8:37 am - Reply

    I am a huge quinoa salad lover as well but I have not tried it with fruit. Great idea and thanks for joining us for meatless Monday

  32. maria @ close to home May 22, 2017 at 8:11 am - Reply

    I have 2 bags of this stuff in my pantry. What great prices at ALDI. Thanks for the quick and easy ways to feed my family this week.

    • JulieWunder May 24, 2017 at 5:14 pm - Reply

      Yay! Hope you’ll get to try one of these recipes.

  33. Susie @ Suzlyfe May 22, 2017 at 7:42 am - Reply

    Alex and I used to eat so much quinoa, but then we needed a break from it. This would be the perfect way to kickstart our love again!

    • JulieWunder May 24, 2017 at 5:14 pm - Reply

      I feel ya… there was once this giant mega bag of it in the pantry….

  34. heather @Lunging Through Life May 22, 2017 at 7:14 am - Reply

    I bought quinoa a while ago and forgot! I usually buy the Quinoa/brown rice mix and A LOVES it. I do too but she goes to town, haha. I’m saving these recipes! Aldi is such a great store. I actually need to get to it today. And I owe you an email!

    • JulieWunder May 24, 2017 at 5:13 pm - Reply

      How sweet!!!! She’s such a doll! No worries, I know you’ve got a LOT going on!

  35. Beth Ann Chiles May 22, 2017 at 6:57 am - Reply

    Love these recipes and so agree with the ability to find great products at Aldi! I shopped at Aldi before it was “cool” years and years ago when the boys were little. Definitely making these salads and putting them in the rotation this summer. Thanks!

  36. Julie May 22, 2017 at 5:46 am - Reply


    Hi Julie! I have a question for you. Is there anything that I could substitute for cilantro in the Mexican black bean quinoa salad ? I am a big fan of quinoa and all of these recipes look fabulous. In fact I am going to try the Heirloom tomato caprese quinoa salad today for lunch. Yum! The honey lime mango berry salad has a lot of anti oxidants in it and will become part of my routine for sure.
    Thank you Julie for these wonderful recipes!

    • JulieWunder May 22, 2017 at 7:56 am - Reply

      Yay! That makes my day. I hope you enjoy it! You could try it with just the lime (add some extra and that might be enough flavor) or do a blend of dry Mexican themed seasoning like cumin, oregano, garlic and pepper. Maybe all some extra green onion to add more green too!

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