April 23, 2012
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This lunchbox quinoa salad is a simple and tasty lunch idea the kids will want to eat!
You can think of it as a lettuce-free salad packed with variety, nutrition, and flavor- let me show you how to make it.
Quinoa Salad with Veggies
Kid-favorite lunches aren’t limited to sandwiches and snack foods; they also look a lot like this quinoa recipe. The best part- it’s an easy gluten-free lunch idea you can toss together in a few minutes with cooked quinoa, crunchy veggies, and a couple of pantry spices.
To make it even easier, you can prep this recipe ahead or use leftover cooked quinoa from dinner. It will keep for up to 3 days and provide you with a healthy, ready-to-go lunch, when you need it.
Having recipes you know your family will enjoy makes packed lunches a breeze, and if you’re looking for more, I’ve got over a hundred for you to try:
101 Packed Lunches eBook
All my best kid-friendly lunches from over a decade of creating meal plans. Add some variety to your child’s lunchbox with these epic lunches, plus receive my Pack Meals Like a Pro ebook, free with purchase!
What is in Quinoa Salad
Below is the full list of ingredients, along with options to swap out so you can make this lunch with what’s available in your fridge:
- Quinoa: a great source of protein and takes to cook.
- Bell pepper: red, orange, yellow, or green.
- Red onion: optional, but adds a nice sharp flavor.
- Curry powder: a toasty, fragrant spice. Swap it out for equal parts taco seasoning.
- Cilantro: adds a citrusy, fresh taste.
- Lime juice: brightens the salad. Could also use fresh lemon.
- Carrots: for a little crunch.
- Green peas: frozen and defrosted.
- Salt & pepper: for seasoning.
Those ingredients are for the main dish, but what about sides? That’s easy! You can add a couple of hard-boiled eggs, berries, peanut butter and apples, or any of your favorite lunch snacks.
How to Pack it for Lunch
Here’s how to pack this quinoa salad into the lunch box:
- Prep
Cook the quinoa and assemble the salad. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. - Pack
Fill a compartmentalized lunch container with a portion of the quinoa salad. Add snacks and sides to the empty compartments or a separate container to keep the quinoa fresh. - Add snacks
Close the container and pack it into a lunch bag with an ice pack.
More Quinoa Lunch Ideas
Quinoa can do a lot for your lunches, so here are a few more way to enjoy it:
Cheesy Quinoa Bites | Southwest Quinoa Salad | Mini Pizza Quinoa Bites
Lunch Box Quinoa Salad with Veggies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup water
- ½ cup uncooked quinoa rinsed
- ¼ cup red bell pepper chopped
- ½ small red onion finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon curry powder
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- ½ lime juiced
- ¼ cup minced carrots
- ¼ cup green peas
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil, add the quinoa, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
- Transfer the quinoa to a large bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until chilled.
- Remove the quinoa from the fridge and add the bell pepepr, onion curry powder, cilantro, lime juice, carrots, and peas. Season with salt and black pepper, and toss to combine.
- Pack the quinoa salad into a lunch container with additional snacks. Close the container and pack it into a lunch bag with an ice pack.
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