Crunchy Thai Quinoa Cabbage Salad

Thai quinoa cabbage salad served in a deep plate with large serving fork and spoon beside it.

4.86 from 7 votes

This light and refreshing crunchy quinoa salad is paired with a flavorful creamy peanut dressing. Naturally vegan, healthy yet utterly delicious !

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: Thai

Servings: servings

Calories: 215kcal

Author: Meesha

Ingredients

For the peanut dressing

3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter*
1 ½ tablespoon soy sauce / tamari
½ tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon sesame oil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼-1/2 teaspoon chili powder ( optional )

For the salad

½ cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups shredded red cabbage
1 medium carrot shredded
½ cup frozen edamame
handful of chopped peanuts ( to garnish )

Instructions

Start by cooking quinoa. Place quinoa in a fine mesh colander and rinse it thoroughly under running water for at least 30 seconds, using your hands to swish it around. Pour it into a medium pot or pan together with 1 cup of water.
Bring mixture to a boil, then lower heat to a gentle simmer. Place the lid on and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the quinoa has absorbed all the water.
Remove pan from heat and let quinoa sit for 5-10 minutes, before fluffing them up using a fork.
In the meantime, the peanut salad dressing by combining all ingredients needed and boil frozen edamame in hot water for 1-2 minutes.
Place the chopped veggies and quinoa into a large salad bowl. Pour in the peanut sauce and toss to coat. Give it a taste and add more soy sauce, if needed.
Serve immediately, or let it chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours if you prefer it to be cold.

Notes

To make this oil-free, omit the sesame oil in the peanut sauce.

Make this gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.

Substitute peanut butter with cashew butter to make this peanut-free.

Crunchy peanut butter can be used in place of the smooth one, but increase the amount to 4 tablespoons instead of 3.

Any kinds of quinoa can be used like red quinoa, black quinoa or tri-colored ones.

You can substitute or add in other suitable veggies in place of the ones mentioned in this recipe. Some of the veggies that works well in this peanut quinoa salad are bell-peppers, green peas, corn kernels or green cabbage.

Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days.

This salad is freezable. To freeze, portion it up in seal containers and they can now be frozen for up to a month.To reheat, let them thaw in the fridge overnight or on countertop for a few hours. You can now heat them up either on stovetop or in the microwave.

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