Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette

I have a roasted vegetable addiction, but I am not going to apologize (don’t judge, I can think of worse things). In fact, we are sure you are going to thank us for this one. This roasted vegetable quinoa salad with maple balsamic vinaigrette is not only delicious, it’s really pretty (don’t you think so?) and makes a great dish to bring to a party or serve at your own.

Roasted vegetables are seriously one of my favorite things to make and they go so well with so many different ingredients. You’ve seen us do them in salads, as side dishes, mixed with different dressings, paired with pastas, meats and fish…the list goes on. With this dish, we decided to mix some roasted vegetables with yep, you guessed it, another favorite here at GTK… quinoa. We think the tri-color quinoa is so pretty when paired with the other brightly colored (and super yum) ingredients.

However, you can use any type of quinoa. We suggest cutting the sweet potatoes and the brussel sprouts into bite sized pieces before you roast them. This will help them cook quickly and be ready to mix in the salad. Just keep an eye on the veggies when they are in the oven so they don’t burn.

The maple balsamic vinaigrette pairs perfectly with this salad because it’s slightly sweet and it brings out the flavors of the roasted vegetables. If you have any leftover dressing, store it in the fridge and pour it oven an arugula salad the next day. You should probably just plan on making a little more so you can have it two days in a row, you will be thanking us for this one!!

What to Eat with Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette?

You can enjoy your Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette with some grilled chicken, as I did. It was a nice dinner with the family, or try it with roasted tofu if you like plant-based options. Also, another one of my favorite ways to enjoy it is with a fresh Mango Quinoa Salad on the side, so you can pair it with any salad you love. I suggest a salad with some chicken pieces if you don’t have a dish that contains meat at your table.

Ingredients

For the Quinoa Salad:

• 3 C cooked quinoa
• 1 C roasted brussel sprouts-halved
• 1 C roasted sweet potatoes – diced
• ½ C manchego cheese – cubed
• ⅓ C slivered almond – toasted
• ¼ C dried tart cherries
• 1 Tbsp good quality olive oil
• kosher salt

For the Maple Balsamic Dressing:

• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• ¼ C good quality olive oil
• 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup
• 2 tsp white balsamic vinegar
• salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette?

For the Salad:

Step 1:

Preheat oven to 425°. Clean the brussel sprouts, cut off stems and outer leaves, then slice in half. Place on baking sheet. Peel skin off of sweet potato and dice into bite sized pieces then place on baking sheet with the brussel sprouts. Drizzle vegetables with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt.

Step 2:

Roast in oven for roughly 35 minutes, checking periodically to make sure they don’t burn. Once cooked, set aside to cool.

Step 3:

Cook quinoa according to package directions then allow to cool. Once cooled, combine quinoa, roasted vegetables, cheese, cherries and almonds in a medium bowl.

For the Maple Balsamic Dressing:

Step 1:

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and whisk until blended.

Step 2:

Drizzle with desired amount of dressing and toss to coat.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Oven
• Baking sheet
• Vegetable peeler
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Mixing bowls (small and large)
• Whisk or fork
• Spoon for mixing
• Measuring cups and spoons

How to Store Leftovers?

If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It’s best to keep the dressing separate and only add it when you’re ready to eat.

FAQ

Can I use a different cheese?

Yes.

Can I skip the cherries?

Sure, if you don’t like tart cherries, try raisins.

What if I don’t have white balsamic vinegar?

You can use apple cider vinegar, but it might taste a little stronger.

Is this salad good for school lunch?

I would say yes, the kids love it.

Can I add more veggies?

Yes, sure.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, it is.

Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette is a colorful meal that’s easy to make, It’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a picnic with your family or friends.

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