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“I was lucky enough to try this quinoa salad at an event and I fell in love with it. I wanted to recreate it at home, with our own little twist.” — Marilyn

Summary
🔍 Information	Details
⏱️ Preparation time	15 minutes
🍳 Cooking time	15 minutes (for the quinoa)
⏲️ Total time	30 minutes
🔧 Difficulty level	Easy
🍽️ Portions	4
🔥 Calories (approximate)	350 per serving

A balanced and delicious salad meal

This sesame quinoa salad is a lovely way to bring freshness and energy to your meals. With its mix of colorful vegetables, crisp apples, and a fragrant dressing of sesame oil and soy sauce, it combines comforting and exotic flavors.

Quinoa: a complete superfood

Quinoa is known for being rich in complete proteins, fiber, and minerals. Gluten-free, it's enjoyed by both adults and children. Combined with edamame, black beans, and sesame seeds, it makes the perfect base for a nutritious salad.

An Asian touch that appeals

The light dressing with toasted sesame oil, soy sauce and a hint of local honey brings a unique flavor that transforms this dish into an ideal meal salad for a quick lunch, a picnic or even a light supper.

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Ingredients

For the salad: 2 cups cooked quinoa (white, red, or mixed) — ~¾ cup uncooked 1 cup of shelled, cooked edamame 1 cup of cooked black beans (canned, rinsed, or homemade) 1 crisp apple, cut into small cubes 1 red bell pepper, cut into small cubes 2 green onions, thinly sliced ⅓ cup of raisins or dried cranberries 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds For the vinaigrette: 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil 2 tablespoons of cold-pressed sunflower oil 1 1/2 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar or lemon juice Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Salad preparation: Rinse the quinoa and cook according to the package instructions. Let it cool completely. Mix together in a large bowl the quinoa, edamame, black beans, apple, bell pepper, green onion and dried fruit. Preparing the vinaigrette: Whisk together all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Taste and adjust the seasoning (salt, pepper, acidity) if necessary. Assembly : Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well . Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds just before serving.

Nutritional Information per Serving
Nutrient	Quantity
Calories	350 kcal
Proteins	11 g
Carbohydrates	42 g
Sugars	7 g
Fibers	8 g
Lipids	15 g
Saturated fatty acids	2 g
Sodium	650 mg
Health rating	9/10 Key features: Source of plant-based protein, high in fiber, gluten-free, dairy-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many servings does this recipe make?
Approximately 4 servings as a salad meal, or 6 as a side dish.

Can I prepare the salad in advance?
Yes, it will keep for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator. Add the apples just before serving to prevent them from browning.

Can I substitute the edamame?
Of course, you can use green peas or chickpeas.

Is this salad gluten-free?
Yes, quinoa is naturally gluten-free. Just make sure your soy sauce is certified gluten-free if needed.

Can I add an additional protein source?
Yes, this salad goes well with grilled chicken, tofu, or even shrimp.

🌱 Did you know? Plant-based proteins compared
Plant-based sources are rich in protein – but their content varies greatly. Here's a visual comparison of the amount of protein per 100g of cooked food.
Food	Protein content (small squares = 1 g)
🌾 Quinoa
🥜 Lenses
🫘 Black beans
🌿 Firm Tofu
🌰 Hemp seeds