Gelatin 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 it took way more effort than it 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, fresh lime juice, honey, turmeric, and ginger — pulls everything together with a warm, citrusy kick that's genuinely addictive. Gelatin sneaks into a surprising number of packaged dressings, flavored grains, and even some fruit-based condiments, so making everything from scratch here is a real advantage. Every single ingredient in this recipe is whole and plant-forward, so there's nothing hidden to second-guess. The pumpkin seeds add a satisfying crunch and a little extra protein, rounding out a salad that works just as well as a standalone lunch as it does alongside a bigger spread. It's colorful, nourishing, and completely free of anything that doesn't belong on your plate.
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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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