1. What to add to Costco quinoa salad?

You can customize the Costco quinoa salad recipe with a variety of healthy mix-ins. Great additions include chickpeas, black beans, diced avocado, toasted sunflower seeds, or vegan feta. For more flavor, try fresh herbs like cilantro or mint, or add a splash of red wine vinegar to the lemon-based dressing.

2. Is the quinoa salad from Costco healthy?

Yes, the original Costco quinoa salad is generally considered healthy. It’s high in plant-based protein, fiber, and fresh vegetables. However, the store-bought version contains oil, which adds extra fat and calories. This homemade Costco quinoa salad recipe skips the oil and keeps it lighter making it an even better option for clean eating.

3. What is a good dressing for a quinoa salad?

A light lemon vinaigrette works perfectly with quinoa salads. In this Costco quinoa salad recipe , we use fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper for a bright, clean flavor. You can also add Dijon mustard or red wine vinegar for extra tang.

4. Is quinoa salad healthy to lose weight?

Absolutely. Quinoa is a high-fiber, high-protein grain that helps you feel full longer. When paired with lentils and vegetables, as in the Costco quinoa salad recipe , it becomes a low-calorie, nutrient-dense meal that’s great for weight management especially when made without oil.

Costco Quinoa Salad Recipe – The Best Healthy Copycat!

Description

A fresh, oil-free quinoa salad with lentils, vegetables, and lemon. Inspired by Costco, made healthier at home.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup white quinoa
½ cup brown lentils cooked
1 red bell pepper diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes cut into halves
½ English cucumber diced
1 cup baby kale roughly chopped
¼ cup parsley roughly chopped
½ lemon zested
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
½ tsp salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Prepare Quinoa: Prepare one cup of dried quinoa according to package instructions. Rinse quinoa, and place in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to a simmer until all the liquid is absorbed, about 12-15 minutes. Place in the refrigerator to cool before adding the rest of the ingredients.
Prepare Lentils: If your lentils are not already prepared, bring a small pot of water to a boil. Rinse the lentils, add to the water, cover, and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Drain and set aside.
Chop the Vegetables: Finely dice the red bell pepper, roughly chop the baby kale, roughly chop the parsley, dice the cucumber, and cut the cherry tomatoes into halves.
Put It All Together: Now that each component of the recipe is prepared, it’s time to fold it all together. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled and cooked quinoa, cooked and drained lentils, and the vegetables to a large bowl. Gently fold together.
Make the Dressing: To the bowl, add the zest of half a lemon, and the juice of a whole lemon, about ¼ cup. Season with salt and pepper. Fold it all together, and enjoy!

Notes

Tips for Making Copycat Quinoa Salad

Use pre-cooked lentils to save time.
Prep your quinoa in advance during your meal prep to have it ready to go to prepare this salad.
Add your favorite fresh vegetables or lean protein to this salad.
This salad is best enjoyed fresh. Although, the flavors really meld together nicely when left in the refrigerator overnight. I recommend enjoying it within 1-2 days, but it will keep for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Equipment

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Category: Salad
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

Calories: 138kcal
Sugar: 2G
Sodium: 156mg
Fat: 2g
Saturated Fat: 0.2g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 6G
Protein: 7g