Capsaicin Free Pomegranate & Mango Quinoa Salad with Mint
Bright, jewel-toned, and bursting with natural sweetness, this quinoa 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 a gorgeous contrast of flavors, while torn fresh mint and scallion greens keep every bite feeling light and lively. The dressing leans on lime juice, honey, turmeric, and ginger for a warm, citrusy depth that ties everything together without a single drop of heat. That matters more than it might seem — so many grain salads and "vibrant" dressings sneak in chili flakes, cayenne, or hot sauce, making them off-limits for anyone who needs to avoid capsaicin entirely. Here, every ingredient is naturally free of pepper-derived heat, so you get bold, complex flavor through other means. Toasted pumpkin seeds add a satisfying crunch, and the fluffy quinoa base makes this substantial enough to serve as a full meal or a standout side. It's the rare salad that genuinely earns its place at the center of the table.
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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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