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    Home » Gluten Free » Vegan Quinoa Salad (Gluten free)

    Vegan Quinoa Salad (Gluten free)

    Mar 14, 2025 by Kayla Cappiello

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This vegan quinoa salad recipe is refreshing, easy to make and made with affordable ingredients! All you need is quinoa, chickpeas, cashews, cucumber, fresh spinach, and dried cranberries! Then, it is dressed with a simple olive oil and lemon juice dressing. This salad is NOTHING like boring quinoa salads you’ve had in the past, I promise.

    It is easy to toss together, especially if you use leftover quinoa. This Vegan Quinoa Salad makes for a great lunch or meal prep, plus it takes less than 30 minutes to make! I love it because it is super easy to make, delicious, AND inexpensive to make. Thats a win win if you ask me! Plus, this Vegan Quinoa Salad can feed a big group of people! It is made with simple ingredients that are easy to find at the grocery store.

    If you loved this easy meal prep salad, you’ll also enjoy my salmon poke bowl recipe, vegan gluten free fried rice, and my chopped vegan salad.

    Vegan Quinoa Salad (Gluten free)

    Why you’ll love this recipe

    • This Vegan Quinoa Salad packs great for lunch, picnics, when you’re on the go, road trips and flights, etc.
    • Makes for a great side dish! I love bringing this to a potluck because no one ever knows it is actually gluten free and I get to safely enjoy it!
    • It is allergy-friendly! This Vegan Quinoa Salad is vegan/dairy free, gluten free, and nut free!
    • It is the perfect recipe for the warm summer months! It’s crisp, fresh and satisfying!

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    Quinoa: I love quinoa cold, but if you don’t you can also use brown rice or just double the amount of chickpeas.

    Chickpeas: White beans work great too in this Vegan Quinoa Salad!

    Cucumber: I like to slice mine into pieces the same size as the chickpeas so all the ingredients are a similar size.

    Spinach: You can use any leafy green. Spinach is my favorite. Arugula, kale or romaine lettuce would be great too.

    Dried cranberries: In my house we eat dried cranberries instead of rasins (I cannot shake the fear about our puppy accidentally eating a raisin!), but any dried fruit is perfect! You can use dried cranberries, rasins, chopped dried apricots, chopped dried pears, etc.

    Cashews: My favorite nut! Pecans, pine nuts or walnuts work great too. Omit for a nut free Vegan Quinoa Salad.

    Dairy free feta: Dairy free feta makes sure this recipe is vegan and dairy free. You can omit if you do not want a dairy free cheese. No judgement here!

    Vegan Quinoa Salad (Gluten free)

    How do I make this recipe?

    First, I rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and water or vegetable broth.

    Then, I bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.

    While the quinoa is cooking, I dice the cucumber, chop the spinach, and roughly chop the cashews. I rinse and drain the chickpeas.

    Vegan Quinoa Salad (Gluten free)

    In a small bowl, I whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard. I season with salt and pepper to taste.

    In a large bowl, I combine the cooled quinoa, chickpeas, diced cucumber, chopped spinach, dried cranberries, and chopped cashews. I add the dairy free feta.

    Finally, I pour the dressing over the Vegan Quinoa Salad and toss gently to combine. I serve the salad immediately or chill for later.

    Expert Tips & Tricks

    You can throw in any combination of in-season vegetables to bulk the Vegan Quinoa Salad up! I like adding fresh herbs, zucchini, cauliflower, tomatoes or even eggplant.

    If you are not vegan you can always add grilled chicken, salmon or tuna to the salad. You can serve it alongside as well for anyone wanting extra protein.

    Allergies and Variations

    Gluten free recipe: This recipe is naturally gluten free.

    Dairy free recipe: This recipe is fully dairy free.

    Nut free recipe: Omit the cashews for a nut free recipe.

    What other dressings can I use?

    I love anything with citrus and an oil on top of this Vegan Quinoa Salad! You can use any dressing you want on this salad but here are some extra ideas:

    Citrus: Lime juice, lemon olive oil and lemon zest, salt + pepper

    Pear Dressing: Olive oil, pear balsamic oil, salt + pepper

    Savory italian: Minced garlic, balsamic glaze, red wine vinegar, olive oil, , salt + pepper

    Pomogranite: Pomogranite balsamic, olive oil, lemon zest, salt + pepper

    Vegan Quinoa Salad (Gluten free)

    How Do I make this Quinoa Salad nut free?

    To make this Vegan Quinoa Salad nut free you can omit the cashews. You can add in sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds to replace the crunch! I like a good crunch in this salad!

    How Do I Serve the Vegan Quinoa Salad?

    This Vegan Quinoa Salad can be served as a main dish or side dish. I like to serve it at room temperature but it is also great served cold as well.

    How do I Store this Vegan Quinoa Salad?

    To store, I let the Quinoa Salad cool completely before refrigerating in an airtight container for up to four days.

    I would not recommend freezing it.

    How Do I meal prep this Vegan Quinoa Salad?

    To meal prep into individual portions, divide into separate containers. These individual portions of the Vegan Quinoa Salad are my favorite for great grab-and-go lunches or quick dinners during the week.

    Vegan Quinoa Salad (Gluten free)

    Looking for more gluten free vegan recipes?

    • Strawberry oatmeal bowl
      Strawberry Oatmeal (Gluten Free)
    • peanut butter and jelly overnight oats
      Peanut Butter And Jelly Overnight Oats (Gluten Free)
    • apple sauce oatmeal recipe
      Applesauce Oatmeal (Gluten free)
    • Air Fryer Burritos (Gluten Free)

    If you make this recipe and enjoyed it, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok and Pinterest. Purchase my cookbook Easy Allergy Free Cooking. Join my exclusive weeknight meal plan group for 5 weekly 30-minute dinner recipes. The weeknight meal plan also has an accompanying podcast as well! I would love for you to follow along! 

    Vegan Quinoa Salad (Gluten free)

    Vegan Quinoa Salad (Gluten free)

    Kayla Cappiello
    This vegan quinoa salad recipe is refreshing, easy to make and made with affordable ingredients! All you need is quinoa, chickpeas, cashews, cucumber, fresh spinach, and dried cranberries! Then, it is dressed with a simple olive oil and lemon juice dressing. This salad is NOTHING like boring quinoa salads you’ve had in the past, I promise.
    It is easy to toss together, especially if you use leftover quinoa. This Vegan Quinoa Salad makes for a great lunch or meal prep, plus it takes less than 30 minutes to make! I love it because it is super easy to make, delicious, AND inexpensive to make. Thats a win win if you ask me! Plus, this Vegan Quinoa Salad can feed a big group of people! It is made with simple ingredients that are easy to find at the grocery store.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save to Email
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 23 minutes mins
    Total Time 34 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, lunch, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 648 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the Salad:

    • 1 cup quinoa rinsed
    • 2 cups water or vegetable broth
    • 15 oz chickpeas rinsed and drained
    • 1 large cucumber diced
    • 4 cups fresh spinach roughly chopped
    • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
    • 1/2 cup roasted cashews roughly chopped
    • 1/2 cup dairy free feta crumbled

    For the Dressing:

    • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and water or vegetable broth.
    • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork and let it cool slightly.
    • While the quinoa is cooking, dice the cucumber, chop the spinach, and roughly chop the cashews.
    • Rinse and drain the chickpeas.
    • In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard.
    • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    • In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, chickpeas, diced cucumber, chopped spinach, dried cranberries, and chopped cashews. Add the dairy free feta.
    • Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Serve the salad immediately or chill for later.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 648kcalCarbohydrates: 84gProtein: 24gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 220mgPotassium: 943mgFiber: 14gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 2903IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 128mgIron: 7mg
    Keyword dairy free, gluten free, meal prep
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    Filed Under: 30-minute meal, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Gluten Free, Gluten Free Lunch Recipes, Gluten Free Snack Recipes, Meal Prep, Salad, Vegan, Vegetarian

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    Hi! I'm Kayla.

    I’m so happy to have you here. I started sharing my easy gluten free recipes after going gluten free and realizing most recipes out there weren’t as easy or approachable as I wanted!

    I love sharing simple but delicious recipes that are gluten-free, dairy-free, and tree nut free. I hope as you too feel inspired to whip up some easy, delicious recipes! xoxo

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