Low Prep Brown Rice Quinoa Salad
This brown rice and quinoa salad just needs 90 seconds in the microwave to cook, and utilizes some fun toppings for a healthy, quick family meal!
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I buy spinach or arugula on my grocery list each week, waiting for a fun way to use it. The general way is to just throw it in a bowl, and add toppings, or mesh it together with leftovers.
That’s my usual go-to, and while it isn’t the most exciting thing, it works to help me get greens in.
But this brown rice and quinoa salad mixed with that arugula? Game changer!
Quinoa is such an easy base for a delicious, filling salad – like this mango quinoa salad and fruity quinoa salad.
My secret to this brown rice and quinoa salad recipe is my good old friend, the Seeds of Change pouch.
They have so many flavors of quinoa and brown rice – it’s incredible and such an easy base and staple for this rice and quinoa salad.
It’s also fine to use fresh or leftover brown rice and quinoa if you have them! Just combine them in this beautiful, show-stopping salad.
Serve it at BBQs, picnics, easy family meals and more!
Why Sarah Loves this Recipe
“A beautiful salad ready in under 10 minutes is my idea of the best kind of easy meal. I love how this quinoa and brown rice salad uses a staple, pantry ingredient and turns it into a balanced meal of beauty that can be individualized to meet any of your taste and dietary preferences!”
Just microwave your grains, cut your veggies, make your dressing (or use this tofu pesto recipe), and you’re all set.
I’m never against dinner shortcuts, and this is a great one. An entertaining-worthy quinoa and rice salad made with a 90-second microwave pouch!
Why We Love This Brown Rice Quinoa Salad
- Turns a pantry staple into a beautiful masterpiece – I love being a magician in the kitchen and this quinoa salad recipe sure does make me feel like one! Microwave your grains, and then add your colorful, cut veggies with a tasty lemon vinaigrette and your work is done!
- Ready in under 8 minutes – I mean seriously, how many recipes can we say that about? The only cooking involved is the microwave, and if you *choose* to heat your beans. I love serving this rice and quinoa salad cold, with crisp veggies, or paired alongside some other family favorites in my meal prep ebook.
- Kid friendly – When making this for dinner, I’ll serve it deconstructed to the kiddos, meaning each part will be separate on the plate. Some grains (they like quinoa and rice), the chopped veggies, and beans in another slot on our favorite ezpz plates.
- Plant-based – This quinoa and rice salad is plant-based and vegan, without the honey lemon vinaigrette dressing. You can, of course, add meat or poultry on top if you’d like, which we often do for more protein and flavor.
- Clean out the fridge meal– If you don’t have the veggies this quinoa rice salad recipe calls for, no problem! Use whatever you have in your fridge. It’s a great clean-out-the-fridge meal and way to use leftover veggies.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe, as well as the delicious lemon honey vinaigrette that pulls it all together!
- seeds of change organic quinoa and brown rice pouches – This is the main shortcut! However, you can also cook brown rice and quinoa separately, or use leftovers. If you have time on your hands, this instant pot lemon basil rice would be a delicious addition!
- arugula or spinach
- red onion
- red bell pepper
- yellow bell pepper
- cucumber
- golden raisins – I love golden raisins for a nice natural sweetness and colorful addition!
- pepitas – Sunflower seeds are another great topping option that offer a crunch and some nutrition!
- chickpeas – canned beans are a staple pantry ingredient in so many recipes!
- avocado
- salt and pepper, to taste
- lemon juice
- olive oil
- honey
- apple cider vinegar
Did You Know?
If cooking quinoa from scratch, make sure to rinse it first! Another reason I love the seeds of change pouches.
Additional topping ideas:
- goat cheese or feta cheese
- grape tomatoes
- sliced or diced beets
- whole grain croutons
- fresh basil or mint
- pistachios or sliced almonds
- tofu or chicken
- thai red curry meatballs or chicken meatballs
- leftover sweetpotatoes
How to Make a Quinoa and Rice Salad
Cook quinoa and rice pouches according to directions.
While the pouches are microwaving, chop your vegetables and ingredients and prepare your salad dressing.
In a large salad bowl, arrange arugula at the bottom and add in cooked quinoa and rice, as well as the other ingredients.
Pour over the dressing and enjoy!
If you plan on making this salad in advance, make sure to add the dressing separately so everything doesn’t get too soggy.
How to Store Quinoa and Brown Rice Salad
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
If not enjoying right away, either store the dressing separately to add when eating, or make it when ready to enjoy.
TRY some of these other EASY recipes!
- Lemon orzo broccoli salad
- Summer chicken strawberry salad
- Easy cantaloupe salad
- Vegan couscous salad
- Tuna pasta salad no mayo
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Brown Rice Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 2 seeds of change organic quinoa and brown rice pouches
- 2 cups arugula – can also use spinach
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 1/2 red pepper, diced
- ½ yellow pepper, diced
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/3 cup golden raisins
- 1/3 cup pepitas pumpkin seeds
- 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1/3 cup diced avocado
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Lemon Honey Vinaigrette Dressing
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 5 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Cook quinoa and rice pouches according to directions. While the pouches are microwaving, chop your vegetables and ingredients and prepare your salad dressing.
- In a large salad bowl, arrange arugula at the bottom and add in cooked quinoa and brown rice pouches, chopped vegetables, golden raisins, pepitas, chickpeas and avocado. Mix everything together.
- Pour dressing over salad or serve it on the side.
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition
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Support Bucket List TummyThis is one of my new favorite salad recipes – we’ve all been victim to boring salads, but this is definitely not one of them!