Name: Tropical Quinoa Salsa Salad
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 1.5 cups water; 0.75 cup quinoa; 1 1/3 cups cubed, seeded watermelon; 1 cup sliced red bell pepper; 1 cup sliced cucumber; 0.75 cup sliced red onion; 1 small mango, peeled, seeded, and chopped; 0.25 cup drained pineapple tidbits, juice reserved; 1 bunch cilantro leaves, chopped, a few leaves reserved for garnish; Dressing:; 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar; 3 tablespoons honey; 2 tablespoons reserved pineapple juice; 2 tablespoons lime juice; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 0.25 cup canola oil; Salt and ground black pepper to taste; 4 slices lime; 1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced

A vibrant and refreshing salad that bursts with tropical flavors, combining the nutty goodness of quinoa with sweet fruits, crisp vegetables, and a zesty dressing. Perfect as a light lunch, a side dish, or a colorful addition to any gathering.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

In a saucepan, bring water and quinoa to a boil. (2 minutes)

02

Step

Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and water has been absorbed. (15 minutes)

03

Step

Refrigerate quinoa until completely cold. (1 hour)

04

Step

In a large bowl, gently combine the cooled quinoa, watermelon, bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, mango, pineapple tidbits, and chopped cilantro. (5 minutes)

05

Step

In a small bowl, whisk together white wine vinegar, honey, pineapple juice, lime juice, and minced garlic. (2 minutes)

06

Step

Slowly drizzle in canola oil while whisking continuously to emulsify the dressing. (1 minute)

07

Step

Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss gently to ensure everything is well coated. (2 minutes)

08

Step

Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and garnish with lime slices, jalapeno slices, and reserved cilantro leaves. (2 minutes)

For an extra layer of flavor, try grilling the pineapple before adding it to the salad.
If you don't have fresh mango, frozen mango chunks (thawed) work well too.
Adjust the amount of jalapeno to suit your spice preference.
This salad is best served chilled, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Audreanne Schultz

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.5/ 5 ( 13 Ratings)

Total Reviews: (5)

Arnold Rodriguez
Jun 11, 2025
The flavors are so vibrant and fresh. I will definitely be making this again.
Karianne Boyle
May 12, 2025
I'm not a big fan of quinoa, but I actually really enjoyed this salad. The dressing is fantastic.
Sandra Lynchferry
Apr 9, 2025
So easy to make and so delicious! I added some grilled chicken to make it a complete meal.
Tyrique Strosin
Mar 15, 2025
This salad is amazing! The combination of sweet and savory is perfect.
Name Braun
Dec 19, 2024
I made this for a summer BBQ and it was a huge hit. Everyone loved it!

Tropical Quinoa Salsa Salad

Ingridients

Nutrition

Follow The Directions

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Audreanne Schultz

Written by

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RECIPE REVIEWS

Arnold Rodriguez

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Tyrique Strosin

Name Braun

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