Berry Quinoa Salad with Fresh Orange Mint Dressing

Cool off this summer with my colorful, light, and refreshing salad.

Whenever the weather starts warming up, I find myself craving lighter meals that don’t require much time in the kitchen. This berry quinoa salad checks every box. It’s colorful, refreshing, naturally sweet, and packed with wholesome ingredients that make it perfect for lunch, a healthy side dish, or even meal prep. Fresh berries, fluffy quinoa, and a bright orange mint dressing come together to create a quinoa fruit salad that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Reasons to Love This Berry Quinoa Salad

There are so many reasons this healthy quinoa salad has become one of my favorite warm-weather recipes:

• Fresh, juicy berries add natural sweetness.
• Packed with fiber, whole grains, and antioxidants.
• Perfect for meal prep since it tastes great chilled.
• Quick and easy to make with simple ingredients.
• Naturally gluten-free.
• Makes a light lunch or refreshing side dish.
• Great for picnics, barbecues, and potlucks.
• Beautiful colors make it perfect for entertaining.
• Easy to customize with your favorite fruits and herbs.
• Delicious enough to enjoy for breakfast, lunch, or a healthy snack.

If you’re looking for a refreshing quinoa salad that’s both satisfying and nutritious, this recipe is hard to beat.

Related: Quinoa Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Ingredients Needed to Make This Healthy Quinoa Salad

Quinoa Ingredients

• 1/2 cup tri-color quinoa
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Salad Ingredients

• 1/2 cup strawberries, stems removed and sliced
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup fresh blackberries

Dressing Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
• Juice and zest of 1 large navel orange
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint, finely chopped

How to Make My Berry Quinoa Salad

Cook the quinoa according to the package directions using the water and kosher salt. Once it’s finished cooking, spread it out on a plate or baking sheet to cool completely.

While the quinoa cools, prepare the orange mint dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh orange juice, orange zest, and chopped mint until well combined.

Add the cooled quinoa, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries to a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.

You can enjoy this mixed berry quinoa salad immediately or refrigerate it for later. In fact, I think the flavors get even better after they’ve had a little time to mingle in the refrigerator.

Related: Skinny Strawberry Sorbet

Ingredient Swaps and Additions

One of my favorite things about this quinoa salad with berries is how easy it is to customize based on what’s in season.

Easy Swaps

• Use white or red quinoa instead of tri-color quinoa.
• Swap the orange for fresh lemon, lime, or grapefruit juice.
• Replace the mint with fresh basil for a different flavor profile.
• Use maple syrup or honey if you’d like a slightly sweeter dressing.

Delicious Additions

• Raspberries
• Diced peaches
• Chopped mango
• Watermelon cubes
• Red grapes
• Pomegranate arils
• Toasted sliced almonds
• Chopped pecans
• Walnuts
• Pistachios
• Crumbled feta or goat cheese
• Baby spinach or arugula
• Shredded coconut
• Chia seeds
• Hemp hearts

For extra protein, I love serving this berry side dish with grilled chicken, grilled shrimp, or even chickpeas.

FAQ: Berry Quinoa Salad

Can I make this berry quinoa salad ahead of time?

Yes! This make-ahead quinoa salad is perfect for meal prep. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Can I use frozen berries?

Fresh berries work best because they hold their shape, but frozen berries can be used if thawed and drained well before mixing them into the salad.

Can I substitute another grain?

Absolutely. Brown rice, farro, couscous, or even cauliflower rice all work well if you want to change up this quinoa fruit salad.

Is this served warm or cold?

I prefer serving it chilled, making it an ideal summer berry salad for warm days, picnics, and outdoor gatherings.

Can I add protein?

Definitely. Grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, or even chickpeas make this healthy fruit salad filling enough for a complete meal.

What fruits work best?

This strawberry blueberry blackberry salad is my favorite combination, but peaches, grapes, cherries, watermelon, and mango are all delicious additions depending on the season.

Related: 7 Fresh Summer Salads and Smoothies

Conclusion

If you’re looking for an easy recipe that’s both healthy and refreshing, this berry quinoa salad is one you’ll want to make all summer long. The combination of fluffy quinoa, juicy berries, and bright citrus dressing creates a colorful dish that’s perfect for everything from quick lunches to backyard barbecues. It’s simple to make, easy to customize, and always disappears quickly whenever I serve it.

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Similar Recipes to this Berry Fruit Salad

If you enjoyed this berry quinoa salad, be sure to check out some of my other healthy salad recipes. From hearty grain salads and fresh fruit salads to protein-packed lunch bowls and colorful side dishes, there are plenty of nutritious recipes to keep your meals fresh, flavorful, and satisfying all year long:

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This recipe was originally titled, “Summer Fruit Quinoa Salad” when published in 2019.