Lunch Box Quinoa Salad

This is one healthy school lunch idea your kids will be excited to eat! Quinoa salad is flavorful, colorful and fun! 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 Lunch Salad with Veggies

Kid-favorite school 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: 

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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 for this lunchbox? 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 Quinoa in a School Lunchbox

Here’s how to keep it fresh until lunchtime.  

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
   Round out this lunch with snacks and sides. Close the container and pack it into a lunch bag with an ice pack. 

More Quinoa School Lunches

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

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

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.

5 from 31 votes

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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.

Equipment

101 Packed Lunches

Kids Lunch Box

ice pack

Dips or Dressings