Autumn Harvest Apple Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad Recipe

When summer heat waves roll in, a delightful apple sweet potato quinoa salad becomes the ultimate refreshing companion for lunch or dinner.

Packed with vibrant colors and nutritious ingredients, this salad combines unexpected flavors that dance across your palate.

Crisp apples add a bright, tangy crunch while roasted sweet potatoes bring a warm, caramelized depth to the dish.

Protein-rich quinoa serves as a hearty base, creating a balanced and satisfying meal that doesn’t feel heavy.

Toasted nuts and a zesty vinaigrette provide an extra layer of complexity and excitement to every bite.

The combination of textures and tastes makes this salad a standout option for anyone seeking a delicious and wholesome meal.

Dive into this culinary adventure and let your taste buds celebrate a symphony of fresh, wholesome ingredients.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients in Apple Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad

• Quinoa: Protein-packed ancient grain with delicate, nutty flavor that provides hearty texture and nutritional boost.
• Apple Cider: Adds sweet-tangy liquid base for cooking quinoa, infusing subtle fruity undertones.
• Sweet Potatoes: Vibrant, creamy root vegetable offering rich earthiness and gorgeous golden color when roasted.
• Apple: Crisp, juicy fruit bringing refreshing crunch and natural sweetness to the salad.

• Dried Cranberries: Tart, chewy gems that provide bursts of concentrated fruity brightness.
• Red Onion: Sharp, zesty allium adding crisp bite and vibrant purple color.
• Shallot: Delicate, milder onion cousin contributing refined aromatic complexity.

• Maple Syrup: Pure, rich sweetener creating luxurious caramel-like depth in vinaigrette.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Bright, tangy liquid providing balanced acidity to dressing.
• Dijon Mustard: Zippy, complex condiment helping emulsify and elevate vinaigrette.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, heart-healthy fat binding dressing ingredients together.
• Pecans: Toasty, crunchy nuts offering rich, buttery finish and additional protein.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning enhancers bringing out each ingredient's natural flavors.

Kitchen Items for Quinoa Salad Prep

• Baking Sheet: Large rimmed sheet for roasting sweet potatoes evenly.
• Medium Saucepan: Perfect for cooking quinoa with apple cider.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious bowl to combine salad ingredients gently.
• Small Food Processor or Whisk: Helps blend vinaigrette smoothly.
• Cutting Board: Essential for dicing sweet potatoes, apples, and onions.
• Sharp Knife: Precise tool for chopping ingredients uniformly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate for measuring ingredients precisely.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Useful for stirring quinoa and mixing salad.

Steps to Build Your Apple Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad

• Sweet Potato Roasting

Warm your kitchen with golden cubes of sweet potato. Slice them into bite-sized pieces and spread across a baking sheet. Let them transform in a hot oven until edges crisp and centers become tender, releasing a warm, earthy aroma.

• Quinoa Foundation

Create a fluffy base using quinoa simmered in apple cider. This method infuses subtle sweetness into the grains while cooking. Toss dried cranberries into the pot during the final moments to gently plump them.

• Flavor Fusion

Blend your roasted sweet potatoes with quinoa in a spacious bowl. Add crisp apple chunks and delicate red onion slivers for texture and zest. Each ingredient brings its own personality to the dish.

• Maple Magic Dressing

Craft a silky vinaigrette that whispers autumn flavors. Combine maple syrup with tangy vinegar, a touch of mustard, and seasonings. Whisk until the mixture transforms into a smooth, glossy sauce.

• Final Symphony

Drizzle the maple dressing over your salad, allowing each ingredient to mingle. Sprinkle roasted pecans on top for a delightful crunch. Serve at a comfortable temperature that lets all flavors shine.

Tips to Perfect Your Quinoa Salad

• Enhance caramelization by cutting sweet potatoes into uniform 1/2-inch cubes, ensuring even cooking and maximum flavor development.
• Rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove bitter saponin coating, guaranteeing a cleaner, nuttier taste that elevates the entire salad's profile.
• Replace dried cranberries with pomegranate seeds during winter, swap apples for pears in autumn, or add roasted butternut squash for extra depth and nutrition.
• Prepare components separately and store in refrigerator up to 3 days – quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, and vinaigrette can be mixed just before serving to maintain peak texture and freshness.
• Fold in cooked chicken, crumbled goat cheese, or toasted chickpeas to transform this vibrant salad into a complete, satisfying meal that works for lunch or dinner.

How to Serve Apple Quinoa Salad

• Cozy Family Dinner Companion: Serve this vibrant salad as a hearty side dish alongside roasted chicken or grilled turkey for a comforting family meal that brings warmth and nutrition to the table.
• Elegant Potluck Showcase: Bring this colorful quinoa salad to gatherings, where its beautiful mix of textures and autumn-inspired flavors will impress friends and become a conversation starter at community events.
• Lunch Box Power Meal: Pack this salad in meal-prep containers for a nutritious midday lunch that keeps energy levels high, with its balanced combination of protein, complex carbohydrates, and sweet-tangy dressing providing sustained nourishment throughout the day.
• Festive Holiday Side Dish: Present this salad during thanksgiving or winter holiday meals as a sophisticated alternative to traditional sides, offering a delightful blend of seasonal ingredients that complement roasted meats and other traditional dishes.

Store Apple Quinoa Salad Like a Pro

• Fridge Fresh Technique: Store the salad in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping the vinaigrette separate to maintain crispness and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Advance Prep Strategy: Roast sweet potatoes, cook quinoa, and chop ingredients earlier in the week to streamline meal assembly during busy weekdays.
• Smart Portion Control: Divide the salad into individual meal-prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches, ensuring balanced nutrition and convenience.
• Temperature Transformation: Enjoy the salad chilled or gently warmed – simply microwave for 30-45 seconds to revive flavors and restore the dish's delightful texture.

Hearty Apple Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty harvest quinoa salad celebrates seasonal ingredients from North America with a harmonious blend of roasted apples, sweet potatoes, and protein-rich quinoa. Crisp textures and balanced flavors invite you to savor this nourishing dish perfect for autumn gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups apple cider (or juice)
• 1 cup quinoa, uncooked
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into ¼-inch cubes (about 340 g / 12 oz)
• 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and diced into ½-inch cubes
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup chopped pecans, roasted
• 3 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps maple syrup
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps minced red onion
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp minced shallot
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper

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Instructions

1. Roasting Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F, creating an optimal roasting environment for sweet potatoes.
2. Sweet Potato Transformation: Toss diced sweet potatoes with olive oil, spread evenly on a baking sheet, and roast until caramelized and tender, developing a golden exterior with a soft interior.
3. Quinoa Cooking: Rinse quinoa thoroughly, then combine with apple cider in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is absorbed, adding dried cranberries during the final cooking moments to plump and integrate.
4. Salad Assembly: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled quinoa, cranberries, roasted sweet potatoes, crisp apple cubes, and red onion fragments to create a vibrant and textured base.
5. Maple Vinaigrette Creation: Whisk together maple syrup, minced shallot, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Gradually incorporate olive oil to form a smooth, emulsified dressing that coats all ingredients evenly.
6. Final Touches: Drizzle the maple vinaigrette over the quinoa mixture, ensuring complete coverage. Garnish with toasted pecans for a delightful crunch, and serve at room temperature to maximize flavor and texture.

Notes

• Rinse Quinoa Thoroughly: Cleanse quinoa under cold water to remove saponin coating, which can impart a bitter taste and affect overall flavor profile.
• Roast Sweet Potatoes Evenly: Spread diced potatoes in a single layer to ensure uniform caramelization and prevent steaming, creating crispy exterior and tender interior.
• Toast Nuts Carefully: Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch without burning, watching closely to prevent scorching.
• Dress Salad Just Before Serving: Add maple vinaigrette moments before serving to maintain ingredient texture and prevent quinoa from becoming soggy, preserving the salad’s vibrant character.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg