Honey Lime Quinoa Fruit Salad- healthy & tasty

Are you looking for a healthy, delicious and nutritionally balanced dessert? You are in luck! This amazing recipe is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet craving while still getting all the benefits of a balanced meal. Plus, it’s super easy to make in under 30 minutes – you won’t be disappointed!

This Honey Lime Quinoa Fruit Salad is a deliciously light and refreshing side dish that brings the perfect balance of zest and sweetness to your meal. Easy to put together in just 10 minutes, this sweet and tangy quinoa fruit salad with lime juice, honey, mint, and feta is guaranteed to become a favorite go-to side dish. Enjoy this healthy and delicious quinoa fruit salad as a meal, snack or side dish at your next BBQ or family gathering!

honey lime quinoa fruit salad

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Quinoa Fruit Salad Recipe

To prepare the salad, simply combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir. For even more flavor, feel free to experiment with other fruits, such as raspberries, strawberries, or oranges. Finally, garnish with the mint leaves for a touch of extra color and flavor. Enjoy!

Prep. Time: 10Min. Cooking Time: 15min. Servings: 3

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed is best)
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice 
  • 1/2 tbsp salt and pepper
  • 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1/2 cup fresh strawberries or cherries sliced
  • 1/2 cup cubed, seedless watermelon
  • 1 ripe peach or nectarine (diced)
  • Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Rinse and drain quinoa, then transfer it to a medium pot over medium-high heat.
  2. Toast, stirring often, until lightly browned and fragrant – about one to two minutes depending on your stove’s heat level.
  3. Pour 2 cups of water into the pot with the quinoa and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is cooked through, stirring occasionally throughout cooking time.
  4. While quinoa is cooking, prepare the dressing: In a bowl whisk together honey, lime juice and orange juice until creamy, season with salt & pepper; set aside while you finish prepping other ingredients such as cutting up fruit like apples, pears & mangoes if using.
  5. Once cooked fully, fluff warm quinoa with fork
  6. Add in cut fruits like berries, watermelon, etc.
  7. Pour prepared honey lime dressing over top & fold in gently using spoon to combine evenly without mushing up any of the fresh fruits added in earlier. Serve chilled or at room temp. Enjoy!

Nutritional Value: 150kcal./serving

Benefits of the Recipe

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Quinoa is a unique fruit salad ingredient due to its numerous health benefits. This ingredient is high in protein and essential amino acids, and provides a multitude of vitamins and minerals. It is also gluten-free, which strengthens its health benefits for many people who are looking for an alternative to wheat-based products. Additionally, quinoa is relatively low in calories while still boasting a considerable amount of dietary fiber.

This fruit salad recipe combines the health benefits of quinoa with the goodness of honey, lime, and fresh fruits to provide you with a nutritious meal that can be eaten as a snack or main course.

  • Honey helps complement the fresh fruit flavors in this dish while providing additional antioxidants and B vitamins that help boost overall health.
  • Lime juice not only adds zesty flavor but it also helps to keep the ingredients fresh and provides vitamin C as well as other beneficial compounds like limonene and citric acid that help support gut health.
  • Adding fresh fruits like apples, oranges, blueberries, or strawberries creates an eye pleasing dish with layers of flavor subtle sweetness from these natural ingredients.

This healthy honey lime quinoa fruit salad recipe takes all the best elements from each ingredient to create an energizing meal or snack perfect for any occasion!

Variations of the Recipe

There are countless ways to vary this healthy, delicious and bright fruit salad. Depending on your preferences and dietary restrictions, you can easily customize the recipe to your taste.

For a vegan variation, substitute a vegan-friendly sweetener such as agave nectar or maple syrup for the honey in the dressing. For those looking for a creative twist on the dish, feel free to experiment with various types of fruits and nuts that are native to your region. For example, try adding figs, dates or dried apricots for an extra layer of sweetness; or swap out almonds for pumpkin seeds (or any nut of your choosing) for an added punch of flavor and texture.

If you are looking for something even heartier, add some cooked quinoa or other grains of your choice – including millet or amaranth – to make the dish a meal-in-one. You can also top it with grilled chicken or shrimp if desired. Adding grilled vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers and onions is another great way to keep the flavors popping and ensure that each bite is unique and flavorful!

Tips & Tricks

For maximum flavor, it is integral to season the quinoa properly with cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. Additionally, use the most seasonal or freshest fruits available and make sure they are ripe. Use a light touch when tossing the fruit salad. Too much handling can cause everything to become mushy instead of staying fresh and crisp.

quinoa fruit salad

To create an extra layer of sweetness, add a tablespoon or two of honey in addition to the lime juice. This will bring out the sweetness in the different types of fruit that are present in the salad, as well as help mix all of the ingredients together for an even flavor profile throughout. Consider opting for Greek yogurt in place of added honey for a healthier version with just as much flavor for those who are watching calories.

For added crunch and texture, consider sprinkling nuts like almonds or walnuts over your honey lime quinoa fruit salad prior to serving. Additionally, you could select one type of sweet berry—blackberries are particularly nice—to be diced and layered into this breakfast dish along with any other desired fruits such as banana or mango.

Serving Suggestions

This honey lime quinoa fruit salad is a versatile side dish great for any occasion. This gluten-free, vegan-friendly recipe can be served as either a main dish or as an accompaniment to any meal. Try it with grilled shrimp and vegetables for a light summer lunch, or bring it to your next potluck to share the deliciousness.

When serving this dish, be sure to use fresh seasonal fruit for best flavor and maximum visual impact. Consider pairing the honey lime quinoa fruit salad with a variety of items such as:

  • Greek yogurt
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Shredded coconut
  • Crumbled feta cheese

You can also top the dish with a variety of herbs such as mint, basil or cilantro to add an extra layer of depth and complexity of flavor. Add zest to your presentation by garnishing with slices of fresh citrus or lime wedges before serving. Enjoy!

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Conclusion

Now you should have a delicious, simple honey lime quinoa fruit salad that can be enjoyed all week long. Not only is it packed with protein from the quinoa, it’s also loaded with plenty of vitamins and minerals. The sweetness from the honey and the brightness from the lime really bring out the flavors in the fruit to create an amazing and flavorful dish.

Serve it as a side dish to your protein meal or as a quick snack during any time of day, and enjoy every bite!

References-

https://therecipecritic.com/salad-recipes/