​10 Refreshing Summer Quinoa Recipes to Keep You Energized and Cool​

ByEmma

Quinoa, a gluten-free superfood rich in protein and fiber, is the perfect base for light, nutritious summer meals. Its versatility allows it to pair beautifully with fresh produce, herbs, and zesty dressings. Whether you’re prepping for a picnic, a BBQ, or a quick weekday lunch, these quinoa recipes will keep you satisfied and refreshed.​

Contents

🥗 1. Summer Quinoa Salad with Lemon Dressing

This vibrant salad combines quinoa with fresh fruits and vegetables, all tossed in a refreshing homemade lemon dressing. It’s perfect for BBQs, picnics, or everyday meals. ​

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1 1/2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 red onion, chopped
  • 7-8 mini sweet peppers, seeded and chopped
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed
  • Handful fresh basil, chopped​

Dressing:

Instructions:

  1. Cook quinoa in broth according to package instructions. Let it cool.
  2. Sauté red onion, sweet peppers, and broccoli until softened.
  3. In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, sautéed vegetables, corn, black beans, and basil.
  4. Whisk together dressing ingredients and pour over the salad. Toss to combine.
  5. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.​

Pro Tip: For added flavor, cook quinoa in broth instead of water.​

🍑 2. Vibrant Summer Quinoa Salad with Peaches and Blueberries

A delightful mix of sweet and savory, this salad features quinoa, peaches, blueberries, cucumber, corn, and fresh herbs, all tossed in a lemon olive oil dressing. ​

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, peach, blueberries, cucumber, corn, and herbs.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
  4. Serve immediately or chill before serving.​

Pro Tip: This salad is perfect for potlucks and can be made ahead of time.​

🥒 3. Easy Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Feta

A simple yet flavorful salad combining quinoa, spinach, tomatoes, red onion, avocado, and feta cheese, dressed with a lemon vinaigrette. ​

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste​

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, spinach, tomatoes, red onion, avocado, and feta.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
  3. Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
  4. Serve immediately.​

Pro Tip: Add grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra protein.​

🌽 4. Zesty Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Lime

A refreshing salad featuring quinoa, black beans, cherry tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro, all tossed in a lime-cumin vinaigrette. ​

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Cook quinoa in water according to package instructions. Let it cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, black beans, cherry tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
  4. Pour dressing over the salad and toss well to combine.
  5. Chill before serving for the flavors to meld.

🥒 5. Favorite Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas and Fresh Herbs

This vibrant salad combines quinoa with chickpeas, red bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, and parsley, all tossed in a zesty lemon and olive oil dressing. ​

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Cook quinoa according to package instructions; let it cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, chickpeas, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and parsley.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and garlic.
  4. Pour dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
  5. Serve chilled or at room temperature.​

Pro Tip: This salad is perfect for meal prep and tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.​

🥗 6. Green Goddess Quinoa Summer Salad

A refreshing salad featuring quinoa, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and a creamy avocado-cilantro dressing. ​

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, cherry tomatoes, and spinach.
  2. Add the avocado-cilantro dressing and toss until well combined.
  3. Serve immediately or chill before serving.​

Pro Tip: You can prepare the avocado-cilantro dressing in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.​

🍑 7. Summer Quinoa Salad with Peaches and Blueberries

A delightful mix of sweet and savory, this salad features quinoa, peaches, blueberries, cucumber, corn, and fresh herbs, all tossed in a lemon olive oil dressing. ​

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1 peach, diced
  • ½ cup blueberries
  • ½ cucumber, diced
  • ½ cup corn kernels
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (e.g., mint, basil)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste​

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, peach, blueberries, cucumber, corn, and herbs.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
  4. Serve immediately or chill before serving.​

Pro Tip: This salad is perfect for potlucks and can be made ahead of time.​

🥬 8. Summer Quinoa Salad with Sautéed Veggies

A hearty salad combining quinoa with sautéed vegetables, black beans, corn, and fresh basil, all tossed in a lemon balsamic dressing. ​

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1½ cups vegetable broth
  • 1 red onion, chopped
  • 7-8 mini sweet peppers, chopped
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed
  • Handful fresh basil, chopped​

Dressing:

  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
  • Salt and pepper to taste​

Instructions:

  1. Cook quinoa in vegetable broth; let it cool.
  2. Sauté red onion, sweet peppers, and broccoli until softened.
  3. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, sautéed vegetables, corn, black beans, and basil.
  4. Whisk together dressing ingredients and pour over the salad. Toss to combine.
  5. Chill in the refrigerator before serving.​

Pro Tip: For added flavor, cook quinoa in broth instead of water.​

🥗 9. Easy Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Lime

This vibrant, protein-packed salad is a summer staple—light, refreshing, and satisfying. It combines fluffy quinoa, hearty black beans, and fresh vegetables, all tossed in a zesty lime-cumin dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or meal prep, this salad is both delicious and nutritious.​

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 5 green onions, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste​

Instructions:

  1. Cook the quinoa: In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water and the quinoa to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.​
  2. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, ground cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.​
  3. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, black beans, cherry tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss to coat evenly.​
  4. Chill and serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.​

Pro Tip: For added creaminess, top the salad with diced avocado just before serving.

🥗 10. Zesty Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Lime

This vibrant and refreshing salad combines protein-rich quinoa with hearty black beans, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a zesty lime-cumin dressing. It’s perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or as a light lunch.​

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 5 green onions, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste​

Instructions:

  1. Cook the quinoa: In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water and the quinoa to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and water is absorbed, about 10-15 minutes. Set aside to cool.​
  2. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, ground cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.​
  3. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, black beans, cherry tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss to coat evenly.​
  4. Chill and serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.​

Pro Tip: For added creaminess, top the salad with diced avocado just before serving.​

These ten summer quinoa recipes offer a delightful array of flavors and textures, perfect for keeping your meals light, nutritious, and satisfying during the warmer months. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or preparing meals for the week, these salads are sure to impress and refresh.

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