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Lunch Box Quinoa Salad

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.

small metal lunch container filled with quinoa salad and almonds. Two lunch note cards with the lunch

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!

Grab the Book!

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: 

  1. Prep 
    Cook the quinoa and assemble the salad. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 
  2. 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. 
  3. 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

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Lunch Box Quinoa Salad with Veggies

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Try this lunchbox quinoa salad for a tasty gluten-free lunch idea the kids will want to eat! It’s packed with plenty of colorful veggies and delicious flavors.

  • Author: MOMables – Laura Fuentes
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 20
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Lunch
  • Cuisine: Lunch

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

  1. 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.
  2. Transfer the quinoa to a large bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until chilled.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

Equipment

101 Packed Lunches

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LunchBots

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Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 104
  • Sugar: 2.1 g
  • Sodium: 19.1 mg
  • Fat: 1.4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19.9 g
  • Fiber: 2.8 g
  • Protein: 3.9 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @MOMables on Instagram and hashtag it #momables

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    April 27, 2012 at 10:47 pm

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  14. LeAnn Vipperman

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  19. Azure

    April 24, 2012 at 9:46 am

    I tweeted!

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  25. Cara Dube

    April 23, 2012 at 4:08 pm

    I like both and shared on FB. No twitter here.

  26. toni yaple

    April 23, 2012 at 3:02 pm

    I like both and shared on facebook but I dont have a twitter to share on! Hopefully sharing on facebook will enter me in the drawing! whether or not I’m eligable for the contest, thanks for all the info and tips!

  27. lisa

    April 23, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    liked lunchbox love, too. don’t have twitter, so I can’t share that way.

  28. lisa

    April 23, 2012 at 2:32 pm

    already liked momables, can’t wait to use y’all this upcoming school year!

    • Laura

      April 23, 2012 at 3:42 pm

      thank you Lisa!

  29. Amanda M

    April 23, 2012 at 2:14 pm

    I already liked momables and have now liked lunchbox love. What a cute idea.

  30. Heidi B

    April 23, 2012 at 2:10 pm

    I like and shared as well. These are very cute. I love sending little notes with my boys and their lunches.

  31. LeAnn Vipperman

    April 23, 2012 at 1:41 pm

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Hi, I'm Laura! I help you make healthy lunches and meals your kids will love, with simple and tasty recipes.

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