The first time I ever tried quinoa was in 2010 at a friend’s barbecue. She made a cucumber salad containing quinoa, cucumber, and cilantro but it was a little bland. Similar to our Fall Quinoa Salad, this summer vegetable quinoa salad is the absolute opposite as its bursting with flavor!
Summer Vegetable Quinoa Salad
Summer means the farmer’s market is overflowing with plenty of fresh, in-season vegetables. Home gardens are yielding cucumbers and tomatoes and plenty of fresh herbs.
For my salad, I used some smoked gouda cheese but it would be great with feta also. I put together my own dressing using some rice vinegar, white wine vinegar, and olive oil. I chose grape tomatoes but sun gold or cherry tomatoes will work as well.
RELATED: you might also like this recipe – Tuna Pasta Salad
The result is a highly colorful salad with a mild dressing that is perfect for all tastes.
Ingredients for Summer Vegetable Quinoa Salad
- Chicken broth – This adds flavor to the quinoa. You can use water if you prefer.
- Uncooked quinoa – You’ll see white, red and black quinoa in the store, as well as packages that are multicolored. Any of these will work just fine.
- Frozen corn – You could use canned corn, but it tends to be a bit more overcooked because of the processing. I recommend using frozen corn.
- Cucumber – I like to peel the cucumber in stripes, peeling off a stripe of skin and leaving one in place. Just for fun, they’re more decorative that way. You can peel it completely or leave the skin on for more nutrients.
- Grape tomatoes – You can use any variety of small tomatoes like sun gold or cherry tomatoes.
- Smoked gouda cheese – Feta would be a really nice substitution, I just happen to have a soft spot in my heart (my taste buds really) for gouda.
- Red onion – If you don’t have red onion, green onions (scallions) or shallots are a nice replacement. White or yellow onion can be a bit too strong, but sweet Vidalia would work.
- Fresh parsley – Cilantro would be a great replacement for parsley but could be a bit overpowering. Parsley has a much milder flavor which allows the flavor of the vegetables to shine through.
- Extra virgin olive oil – If you are like me, the “light tasting” olive oil is your oil of choice for dressings.
- Seasoned rice vinegar – It’s not a deal breaker if you don’t have this, but the flavor is quite nice.
- White wine vinegar – Either of these kinds of vinegar could replace the other if you only have one.
- Mayonnaise – Any variety of mayo will work, and it’s such a small amount you could leave it out if you don’t like using mayonnaise.
- Salt – Use regular table salt to your tastes.
- Freshly ground black pepper – You only need a few turns of the pepper for this dressing.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
How to make Summer Vegetable Quinoa Salad
First, you’ll want to cook the quinoa so it can cool before combining it with the other salad ingredients.
Combine chicken broth and quinoa in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover simmered for 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely. Place in refrigerator while you make the rest of the salad.
In a large bowl, combine the corn, cucumber, tomatoes, gouda cheese, red onion, and fresh parsley.
Toss gently to combine.
Add quinoa and toss again.
Make the salad dressing:
In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, both kinds of vinegar and mayonnaise. Add salt and pepper to taste. Whisk to combine.
Pour half of the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Test it for flavor, add more dressing if desired. Chill in refrigerator for at least two hours before serving.
P.S. Yes, you will likely have dressing leftover. You can store it in the fridge and use it on your next batch of this Summer Vegetable Quinoa Salad or any other salad you love!
For more summer salads perfect for potlucks or gatherings, visit the recipes below!
Summer Vegetable Quinoa Salad
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 15 oz can chicken broth
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1 ½ cups frozen corn cooked and cooled
- 1 medium cucumber halved lengthwise and sliced
- 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
- ½ cup smoked gouda cheese diced
- ½ cup red onion diced
- ¼ cup minced fresh parsley packed
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup seasoned rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon mayonnaise
- salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper about 4 turns
Before You Begin
Instructions
- Combine chicken broth and quinoa in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover simmered for 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely. Place in refrigerator while you make the rest of the salad.
- In a large bowl, combine the corn, cucumber, tomatoes, gouda cheese, red onion, and fresh parsley. Toss gently to combine. Add quinoa and toss again.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, both vinegars and mayonnaise. Add salt to taste and pepper. Whisk to combine.
- Pour half of the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Test it for flavor, add more dressing if desired. Chill in refrigerator for at least two hours before serving.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on this blog on June 13, 2011.
Amanda Davis
Latest posts by Amanda Davis (see all)
- Watergate Salad - November 21, 2024
- Sweet Potato Pie - November 18, 2024
- Roasted Turkey - November 14, 2024
Sara says
This looks so yummy! I am super into quinoa lately…makes such yummy salads and I love that it has so much protein…perfect for making vegetarian meals. Yum, and thanks for hosting this month – what a great set of recipes! :)
ladybehindthecurtain.com says
Thanks for Hosting Secret Recipe Club. It's so much fun! I love Quinoa. I can's wait to try this new recipe!
Nutmeg Nanny says
This looks great! I have some quinoa in my pantry right now and I'm always looking for new recipes. Yum!
Katrina says
I love quinoa! (Still can't convince my family, but that leaves it all for me when I make something with it. I'll even make me some quinoa when I make something with rice for them. Great substitutions!
Tessa says
So glad it worked out for you! Quinoa would be awesome in here. Good idea!
Chris says
This is a wonderful salad! I am a huge fan of quinoa and its versatility. Tip – because quinoa goes rancid easily, I keep mine in the refrigerator and/or freezer.
Judi says
Thank you for the tip! I just bought my first bag last week and don’t know much about it. I want to try this recipe as my first quinoa attempt.
Amanda Formaro says
I love quinoa!! It’s my favorite grain :)
Anne-Marie @ This Mama Cooks! says
Marvelous way to use up some of that quinoa I have sitting around. Love that you have your protein and veggies in one dish, too!
BigBearswife says
What is quinoa? The recipe does look mighty good :)
This is my first The Secret Recipe Club month, and I am loving it so far. :)
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
I shop at Costco. I bought quinoa at Costco. You know what this means, right? I need a LOT of recipes for it…that 4lb bag is going to last FOREVER! This looks like the perfect summer salad…great idea!
Jason says
Quinoa is one of my favorite ingredients to use. That salad looks amazing!
Dan says
I've always had trouble getting my eldest son to try quinoa. I have no idea why. I think it's too much like rice (which he likes), but then it makes it not enough like rice because it's different.
Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather says
That looks like the perfect summer salad. I especially love the corn in there. So sweet and tasty this time of year.
robin says
This looks great. I've never had quinoa, but I've been meaning to try it. It's so good for you. This would be a great post to link up to my Meatfree Mondays linky
http://pennypinchingprovisions.blogspot.com/2011/06/meat-free-monday-red-beans-and-rice.html
Bizzy says
This is a wonderful idea, Amanda and now, I am going to have more fun, checking out the recipes.
I have been using more and more quinoa, this year, and it looks like this recipe is going to be added to my list of quinoa delights.
Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy says
This looks like a yummy way to fix quinoa. I'm loving the Secret Recipe Club!
Liz@HoosierHomemade says
Looks like a great Summertime salad! Thanks for sharing! I'm so excited to be in the Secret Recipe Swap this month!
~Liz
Lisa says
That looks so healthy and fresh. I love the Secret Recipe Club and am so glad I get to be a part of it.
Marla says
Amanda I am loving the SRC & I am so happy to be a part of it. This quinoa looks great. Please submit it to this weeks side dish theme for our Get Grillin' event.
Jeanette says
Amanda – thanks for hosting this lovely event again! Love how you substituted quinoa in this healthy recipe.
Ali says
That looks fantastic Amanda. I have never tried cooking with quinoa before, but I've eaten it a few times and it is delicious. I am a fan of smoked gouda so I like your substitution on that. :) Looks like a great side dish for lighter Summer dinners.
Thank you so much for hosting the Secret Recipe Club & being our fearless leader! :D Have a wonderful week.