Black Rice Quinoa Pea Salad

Black Rice Quinoa Pea Salad is a delicious, hearty salad made with celery, peas, and feta cheese. Top with a sprinkle of garlic seasoning and boiled eggs for a high protein side dish or light meal. Quinoa salad recipes are wonderful to have on hand. They provide an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, and pair well with a variety of other nutritional ingredients.

This powerful grain has risen in popularity because it is packed with nutrients and creates a wide variety of tasty dishes that can be loaded with vegetables, dressings, and cheeses. We love quinoa because it is easy to prepare and works wonderfully as a side dish to a variety of main courses such as pork roasts, pan seared chicken, or fish dinners.

Quinoa can even be enjoyed with sweet ingredients like berries, sweet potato, apples, and honey dressings. It makes a wonderful base for so many recipes which is why we love it so much.

What mixes well with quinoa?

Because quinoa is such a mild grain, it pairs well with a variety of delicious ingredients. Salt, pepper, and garlic are popular seasonings found in recipes like this black rice quinoa bowl. Aromatic spices like turmeric, cumin, and cilantro bring a bright depth of flavor that many people enjoy in Thai quinoa salad.

Quinoa salad with feta, parmesan, or any other sharp aged cheese are popular because the salty, nutty flavors compliment the grain very well. Finally, veggies like carrots, peas, tomatoes, and cabbage bring a satisfying crunch and flavor interest to a wide range of quinoa salads.

Is quinoa salad best served hot or cold?

Think of quinoa salads like a fried rice. It is a grain that needs to be cooked, but is best enjoyed cold with vegetables, cold cuts of deli meats, and hard boiled eggs. If quinoa sits for extended periods of time it may become sticky and gummy, so we recommend serving it the same day for best texture and flavor.

Wait to dress your quinoa salad until you are ready to serve to avoid over saturating the grains. You can chop the veggies and prepare the dressing, just store them separately until you are ready to mix and serve the salad.

Cooking quinoa is simple and basically the same as rice. You can cook it in water on your stovetop, or in your Instant Pot for a quicker, more efficient method that will lock in flavor and yield an even cook without the risk of burning the grain. We share how to cook quinoa in your Instant Pot if you are interested in this method.

Is Black Rice Quinoa Pea Salad good for weight loss?

Quinoa contains rich amounts of fiber and protein which help to satiate hunger for longer periods, and burn more calories in order to digest. Fiber and protein will both elevate the metabolism making quinoa a great food to incorporate into your diet if you are working to lose weight.

Quinoa and brown rice are both comparable in terms of calories, so choosing one over the other won’t matter much in that department. Quinoa does have a slight edge over rice in that it is a bit higher in vitamins and nutrients like manganese, potassium, and calcium.

Pairing quinoa and rice with nutritious vegetables, healthy fats, and other foods high in protein will also support a healthy weight. Which is why we love this black rice quinoa salad.

Here are some more ideas for the best quinoa recipes to lose or maintain weight.

• A fresh green apple walnut salad
• Sweet potato black bean and quinoa salad
• Kale cranberry quinoa salad
• Mediterranean quinoa salad
• Thai quinoa salad with peanut dressing
• Strawberry feta cucumber quinoa salad
• Cilantro lime quinoa salad

If you are looking for a wonderful side dish or a light, healthy meal quinoa salads are a fantastic choice. This recipe can easily be customized to suite your preferences or dietary needs by substituting the ingredients, or adding even more to bulk it up and enjoy a hearty dish.

We love this simple recipe because it has so much flavor and sustaining nutrients.

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