This Crunchy Thai Peanut Quinoa Salad is a MUST try!

Perfect for a tasty meal prep to have for lunch during the busy work week.

I love the texture of this dish with the crunchy vegetables and smooth, creamy dressing. It truly is delicious either hot or cold! I’ve been eating mine nice and cold to cool down in this summer heat. Part of intuitive eating is changing the way we think about food. Instead of focusing on “how many calories does that have? Is it ‘good’ or ‘bad’? It’s much more helpful (& indicative of a healthy relationship to food) to change your thoughts to, “What am I in the mood for? Do I want something hot or cold? Sticky or crunchy? Sweet or savory?” By thinking about the culinary aspects of food, we can challenge the diet mentality way of thinking.

Crunchy Thai Peanut Quinoa Salad

Print Recipe

This delicious salad is made with nutrient-packed ingredients like quinoa, cabbage, carrots, cilantro, and a creamy peanut sauce. Packed with flavor and nutrition! Keeps well in the fridge, so it’s great for meal prep.

• Author: Caroline Green
• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 15 min
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the salad:

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa (cook in bone broth for extra flavor!)
• 1 cup shredded or diced carrots
• 1.5 cup thinly shredded purple cabbage
• 1 cup edamame 
• 2 cups kale, chopped 
• 1/8 cup diced green onion
• 1/8 cup chopped cashews or peanuts 
• 1/2 cup cilantro 

For the creamy peanut dressing:

• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1–2 TBSP honey or maple syrup
• 1 TBSP toasted sesame oil
• 1 TBSP rice vinegar
• 2 TBSP Tamari or Soy sauce 
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• a few pinches of freshly grated ginger
• 1/2 lime, juiced 
• 1–2 TBSP warm water to thin

Instructions

1. Cook quinoa according to package directions. Cook in bone broth for added protein and flavor if desired!
2. While quinoa is cooking, chop veggies and add to a large bowl. Set aside.
3. Make dressing next by whisking together all ingredients, then add warm water as needed for consistency. Mix well until smooth and drippy.
4. Once quinoa is cooled, add to veggies. Pour dressing onto salad and mix well. Divide among servings, and salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy!

Keywords: Thai salad, Thai peanut salad, quinoa Asian salad

There’s plenty of fiber in this dish (key to feeling full and content!) with the quinoa, kale, cabbage, carrots, and edamame. Be sure to load up on water as well if your body isn’t used to lots of fiber, to help with your digestion!

Want to try some other great quinoa salads?

Strawberry Mint Quinoa Salad 

Caprese Quinoa Salad 

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad