Barley Free Pomegranate & Mango Quinoa Salad with Mint
Bright, jewel-toned, and bursting with contrasting textures, this quinoa salad is the kind of dish that looks like you spent way more time on it than you actually did. Juicy mango and ruby pomegranate arils bring natural sweetness, while torn fresh mint and sliced scallion greens keep every bite feeling light and alive. The dressing — a quick whisk of olive oil, lime juice, honey, turmeric, and ginger — ties it all together with a warm, citrusy kick that somehow makes the whole bowl taste even more vibrant. Quinoa is the perfect grain-free base here, naturally free from barley and any of its relatives, so there's no need to scrutinize labels or worry about hidden grains sneaking into your bowl. Crunchy raw pumpkin seeds add a satisfying nuttiness without any cross-contamination concerns. It works beautifully as a standalone lunch, a potluck showstopper, or a colorful side alongside grilled proteins. Once you nail the technique of spreading the quinoa out to cool before tossing, you'll never go back to a soggy grain salad again.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups water
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 large ripe mango, peeled and diced (about 1 ½ cups)
- 1 cup pomegranate arils
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, roughly torn
- 3 scallions (green tops only), thinly sliced
- ¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 tsp raw honey
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- 1
Combine the rinsed quinoa, water, and 1/4 tsp salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the quinoa has absorbed all the water and the germ rings are visible, about 13–15 minutes.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the quinoa steam, covered, for 5 minutes. Uncover, fluff with a fork, and spread onto a large plate or sheet pan to cool for at least 10 minutes until no longer steaming.
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