Honey Mustard Quinoa Apple Salad

Imagine a symphony of textures and flavors – nutty quinoa, crisp apple slices, peppery arugula, and crunchy pepitas all embraced by a tangy-sweet honey mustard dressing. This Honey Mustard Quinoa Apple Salad delivers a perfect balance of wholesome nutrition and indulgent flavors in every bite. The combination of protein-rich quinoa and fresh, seasonal ingredients creates a salad that’s substantial enough for a main course yet elegant enough for a dinner party side dish. You’ll learn how to create a restaurant-worthy quinoa apple salad with a homemade honey mustard dressing that will transform the way you think about healthy eating.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The Honey Mustard Quinoa Apple Salad is more than just another healthy meal option – it’s a culinary experience that delights all your senses. Each forkful offers an exciting interplay of textures: the gentle pop of perfectly cooked quinoa, the satisfying crunch of fresh apple, the tender bite of peppery arugula, and the unexpected crispy texture of fried shallots that elevates this dish from simple to sophisticated.

What makes this quinoa and apple mixture truly special is the homemade honey mustard vinaigrette that ties everything together. Unlike store-bought dressings, this version balances sweet honey with tangy mustard and apple cider vinegar, creating a flavor profile that’s both complex and deeply satisfying.

For busy weeknights, this quinoa apple salad recipe is a dream – it comes together in under 30 minutes and works beautifully as meal prep for healthy lunches throughout the week. The hearty nature of quinoa means this salad won’t wilt, making it perfect for planning ahead or bringing to gatherings.

Ingredients List for the Honey Mustard Quinoa Apple Salad:

These ingredients create the perfect balance of protein, crunch, and flavor. The combination of peppery arugula with sweet apple and savory fried shallots makes this quinoa salad anything but ordinary.

• 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 + more for topping
• 5 cups arugula
• 1/4 cup parsley, freshly chopped
• 1 large or medium apple (look for a sharp, crisp apple)
• 1/4 cup toasted pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)
• Shaved or grated parmesan

Pro Tips

For the most delicious Honey Mustard Quinoa Apple Salad, follow these expert recommendations:

Perfect Quinoa Technique: Rinse your quinoa thoroughly before cooking to remove its natural bitter coating called saponin. For extra nutty flavor, toast the rinsed quinoa in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes before adding the stock. This simple step enhances the grain’s natural flavors and creates a more complex taste profile in your quinoa apple salad.

Shallot Success: When frying shallots, slice them uniformly thin to ensure even cooking. Watch them carefully as they go from perfectly golden to burnt quickly. The crispy shallots add an extraordinary texture contrast that makes this honey mustard quinoa salad stand out from ordinary salad recipes.

Apple Selection Matters: Choose a crisp, tart apple variety like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith for this salad. Cut the apple just before serving and toss it with a little lemon juice if preparing in advance to prevent browning. The sharp flavor of these apple varieties balances beautifully with the honey mustard dressing.

Instructions:

Step 1: Add the quinoa to a medium sized sauce pan and cover with stock. Bring the pot to a boil over a medium-high heat then reduce the temperature to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook until all the liquid has been absorbed, about 15-20 minutes. Once cooked, transfer the quinoa to a bowl so that it cools faster.

Step 2: While the quinoa is cooking – fry the shallots. In a small sauce-pan over a medium heat combine the sliced shallots and 1/3 cup olive oil. Let the shallots cook for about 15-20 minutes until golden and crispy. Make sure to stir the shallots often to keep them from burning. Once golden remove the pan from the heat.

Step 3: Place a sieve over a small bowl and pour the fried shallots into the sieve, separating the oil from the shallots. Transfer the shallots to a paper towel lined plate then sprinkle with salt. Set aside. Allow the oil to cool at least five minutes.

Step 4: Make the vinaigrette: in the bowl with the slightly cooled oil, add the apple cider vinegar, honey, mustard, salt and pepper and whisk until combined. Taste and season as you see fit.

Step 5: In a large salad bowl combine the quinoa, arugula, parsley, apple, pepitas and fried shallots. Toss together the drizzle the vinaigrette over the top. Toss once more to combine. Grind a little more black pepper over the top of the salad and enjoy.

Variations

The versatility of Honey Mustard Quinoa Apple Salad makes it perfect for customization. Here are some delicious alternatives:

Mediterranean Version: Transform this quinoa apple mixture by swapping pepitas for toasted pine nuts and adding chopped cucumber, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese instead of parmesan. Add a teaspoon of dried oregano to the dressing for an authentic Mediterranean flavor profile.

Autumn Harvest Variation: For a seasonal twist, replace arugula with massaged kale and add roasted butternut squash cubes and dried cranberries. This hearty version of the quinoa apple salad is perfect for fall gatherings and Thanksgiving sides.

Vegan Adaptation: Simply omit the parmesan cheese or replace it with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without dairy. Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock and consider adding avocado chunks for extra creaminess in your honey mustard quinoa bowl.

Storage and Serving

The Honey Mustard Quinoa Apple Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For optimal freshness, consider storing the dressing separately and adding it just before serving. If making ahead, add the apple and crispy shallots just before serving to maintain their texture.

This versatile quinoa apple salad works beautifully as a standalone lunch or as a complementary side dish. For an elegant presentation, serve it on a large platter with additional shaved parmesan and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. This makes an impressive offering for dinner parties or holiday gatherings.

For a complete meal, pair this quinoa apple creation with grilled chicken or salmon for additional protein. The honey mustard flavor profile complements most proteins perfectly. For a beautiful summer dinner, serve alongside grilled vegetables for a plant-forward feast that will satisfy even dedicated meat-eaters.

FAQs

Can I make this Honey Mustard Quinoa Apple Salad ahead of time?
Yes! Cook the quinoa and prepare the dressing up to 2 days ahead. Store separately in the refrigerator. For best results, add the apples, arugula, and crispy shallots just before serving to maintain their texture.

Is quinoa gluten-free?
Yes, quinoa is naturally gluten-free, making this honey mustard quinoa salad perfect for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

What’s the best apple to use in this salad?
Crisp, tart varieties like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith work best in this quinoa apple combination as they hold their shape and provide a nice contrast to the other flavors.

Can I substitute the honey in the dressing?
Absolutely! For a vegan version, use maple syrup instead. Agave nectar also works well as a substitute in this quinoa apple salad.

What can I use instead of arugula?
If arugula’s peppery flavor isn’t your preference, baby spinach, mixed greens, or massaged kale make excellent substitutions in this honey mustard quinoa creation. Each will provide a slightly different flavor profile while maintaining the salad’s nutritional benefits.

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