Goat Cheese Quinoa Salad with Fruit
- June 9, 2022
- Last Updated: January 8, 2025
- 3 Comments
- Recipes
This goat cheese quinoa salad with fruit blends savory quinoa and goat cheese with a variety of fresh fruit options, topped with a smooth citrus honey dressing.
This post is sponsored by NC SweetPotatoes.
Summer salads are my jam. I could eat them all day every day, especially when it involves quinoa and goat cheese.
We’ve even combined quinoa and couscous in this couscous vegan salad, and quinoa and brown rice in this brown rice and quinoa salad.
But quinoa with goat cheese is a new match made in heaven.
I just love cheese in a salad – as evidenced by this cantaloupe salad with mozzarella, lime and mango quinoa salad or even this hearty summer chicken salad.
Adding goat cheese to a quinoa salad adds such a layer of creaminess that just soaks up all of the other delicious flavors!
And, such a great opportunity to combine fresh and tasty fruits and vegetables.
Why You’ll Love This Goat Cheese Quinoa Salad With Fruit
- Bursting with flavor – This quinoa goat cheese salad combines savory options, like grains and cheese, with sweet fruit and taters. I mean, fruit and cheese pairs beautifully together, right wine lovers?
- Full of fiber and plant protein – Thanks to the quinoa and pistachios, this quinoa salad with goat cheese is bursting with protein and fiber. You can even add a scoop of tofu pesto for more protein.
- Great for active individuals – Goat cheese quinoa salad is also high in carbohydrates, thanks to the fruits, veggies and quinoa, so if you’re an active athlete, consider this as a high carb lunch for runners!
- Ideal for spring and summer– If you’ve never tried a light and summery fruity quinoa salad salad, this is your invitation to – a great low glycemic fruit salad!
- Perfect for picnics and summer gatherings – Bring it to all your summer cookouts and bbq’s this year – your guests will thank you!
Why Sarah Loves this Recipe
“The creamy goat cheese makes this quinoa salad with goat cheese such a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavor, ideal for a light, summer meal!”
Ingredients
Quinoa is actually very versatile – it goes well with so many different foods, like fruits, veggies, cheeses, proteins, etc.
It’s one of my favorite pairings for sweetpotatoes!
Another thing I love about quinoa is that you can cook in bulk, freeze it, and even make quinoa in the instant pot.
Feel free to make your fruity quinoa salad with any fruits you have on hand.
You can also use dried fruit, like raisins, cranberries, apricots, etc., or switch up the fresh fruit to your liking as well. It’s a versatile summer quinoa salad!
- sweetpotato
- tri-colored quinoa (you can use white quinoa too, but the tri color is more vibrant)
- strawberries
- grapes
- red onion
- cherries
- cucumber
- goat cheese
- pistachios
- lemon
- olive oil or avocado oil
- salt and pepper
For the lemon honey vinaigrette:
- apple cider vinegar
- lemon juice
- honey
- olive oil or avocado oil
- salt
The lemon honey vinaigrette goes perfectly with this light quinoa salad with goat cheese, and really helps mold the different flavors together.
It has the perfect balance of tart and sweet, and is light enough to not overpower the flavors of fruit in the salad.
Optional topping ideas include dried fruit, whole grain croutons, nuts/seeds, or even a meat or protein option, like bbq roasted chickpeas, tofu or air fryer tempeh, salmon, or chicken.
How to Make a Quinoa Goat Cheese Salad
You’re going to want to start by first cooking your diced sweetpotatoes. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees, and peel and dice the sweetpotatoes.
Roast for 35-40 minutes, flipping once. I recommend using this silicone liner for easier clean up!
While the sweetpotatoes are roasting, cut your fruit and cook your quinoa according to directions.
I usually cook 1 part quinoa to two parts liquid.
TASTY UPGRADE!
Rather than water, you can cook your quinoa in bone broth, coconut milk or chicken broth for more flavor!
Then, arrange your quinoa goat cheese bowl with the finished components, starting with cooked quinoa and roasted sweetpotatoes.
Next, topping with fruit, goat cheese, pistachios and lemon honey vinaigrette.
How to Store Quinoa Salad with Goat Cheese
Store your goat cheese quinoa salad in a tupperware container or a large covered bowl in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Sweetpotato turkey burgers
- Apple turkey burgers
- Corn and bacon fritters
- Tuna Pasta Salad with no mayo
- Oven baked chicken kebabs
- Gluten free pasta salad
Goat Cheese Quinoa Salad with Fruit
Ingredients
- 1 medium sweetpotato
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup dry tri-colored quinoa
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup strawberries, diced
- 1/4 cup green grapes, halved
- 1/3 cup red onion, diced
- 1/3 cup cherries, diced pits removed
- 1/3 cup cucumber, diced
- 3 Tbsp goat cheese
- ¼ cup pistachios or nuts of choice
- 1 lemon, cut into slices for garnish optional
Lemon Honey Vinaigrette
- 1 T apple cider vinegar
- 1 T lemon juice
- 2 tsp honey
- 2 T EVOO
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Peel and dice sweetpotatoes into small 1 inch cubes. Add olive oil and roast for 35-40 minutes, flipping once. You can season to your liking – I like to include salt, pepper and garlic powder.
- While sweetpotatoes are roasting, cook your quinoa according to directions.
- Cut fruit and portion into large serving bowl. Make your dressing by combining all of the ingredients.
- When quinoa is done cooking, add to bowl. Add roasted sweetpotatoes, and then top with fruit, goat cheese, pistachios and lemon dressing.
- Garnish with lemon slices, if desired.
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Support Bucket List TummyI love having this for dinner in the summer, it’s one of my favorite salad recipes!
Such a great combination of flavor!
Very good