Caffeine Free Pomegranate & Mango Quinoa Salad with Mint
Bright, jewel-toned, and bursting with fresh flavor, this grain salad is the kind of dish that looks like it took serious effort but comes together with surprisingly little fuss. Juicy mango and ruby pomegranate arils bring natural sweetness, while torn mint leaves and a zippy lime-honey dressing keep every bite feeling light and alive. The turmeric and ginger in the dressing add a warm, earthy depth that ties the whole bowl together beautifully. Every single ingredient here is completely free of caffeine — no tea extracts, no chocolate, no coffee-spiked dressings — just whole, clean foods that are naturally in the clear. Pumpkin seeds add a satisfying crunch and a little staying power, making this feel like a proper meal rather than just a side. Letting the quinoa cool before tossing everything together is the small but important step that keeps the salad fresh and prevents the mint from wilting. It's equally at home as a vibrant lunch, a potluck contribution, or a make-ahead dinner that tastes even better after the flavors have had a little time to mingle.
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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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