I guess I’ve been kind of all about fruit this summer with my blueberry jam and my cherry cobbler and now with my Peach and Pecan Quinoa Salad.
It’s a good thing though, I think. Fresh, juicy summer fruit is in full-swing, and it feels mighty fine to take advantage of it! Check out this healthy, delicious summer peach and pecan quinoa salad.
How to make Peach and Pecan Quinoa Salad:
It starts with cooked quinoa (just follow the directions on the package). FULL DISCLOSURE: I’m not always crazy about quinoa. But, I know it’s quite good for you, and when it’s combined with delicious things, it can be quite good! Quinoa tastes good in this salad recipe!
This salad combines quinoa with delicious things. Things like green onions, bell pepper, cucumber, pecans and PEACHES. Fresh peaches!
How to peel peaches:
Score each of your peaches with a sharp knife, making an “X” on each peach. Drop the peaches into boiling water for 10 to 20 seconds, until the skin begins to split. Remove the peaches from the water with a slotted spoon, and move them to an ice water bath. You will then be able to slip the skins off the peaches using a small paring knife.
I love that it’s colorful too. “Eat colorful foods and you’ll be eating healthy things.” That’s always what I’ve heard.
The dressing is a simple mix of yogurt, lemon, garlic and honey. Add as little or as much honey as you’d like (depending on how much you like a sweet flavor).
It’s pretty isn’t it? I save a few of the mix-ins to sprinkle on top for a prettier presentation. The dressing mixed with the salad ingredients makes for a quite delicious, summery salad (especially if you’re a lover of fresh peaches). If you’re not into pecans, you can leave them out or sub in almonds instead. Enjoy!
Here are a few more recipes using peaches that you might like to try:
- Grilled Balsamic Chicken and Peaches
- Carolina Peach Sangria
- Peach Upside Down Cake
- Peach Cobbler French Toast Casserole
- Easy Peach Dumplings
- Fresh Peach Scones
- Brown Sugar Peach Pancakes
- Peach Cobbler
If you happen to be following the Weight Watchers WW plan, you will find a link to the WW Points on the recipe card below.
Peach and Pecan Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
SALAD:
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- ⅓ cup toasted pecans (toasted or un-toasted)
- 1 whole green onion, sliced
- 1 cup diced peeled peaches
- ¾ cup diced cucumber
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
DRESSING:
- 2 tablespoons plain nonfat yogurt
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 2 teaspoons honey (or more, to taste)
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
PREPARE THE SALAD:
- Prepare the quinoa according to the package directions. Place it into a bowl and let it cool.
- Add the remaining salad ingredients to the bowl: pecans, onion, peaches, cucumber and bell pepper. Stir to combine.
PREPARE AND ADD DRESSING:
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Add the dressing to the salad and stir to combine. I usually add more honey- drizzling some honey directly into the salad and tasting to get the flavor just right! Serve immediately, or cover and chill until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I have a bunch of nectarines, I wonder if that would work as well?
I bet that would be just fine!
I used Greek yogurt and it was just fine! Delicious and nutritious and all the veg and peaches are in season. Perfect!!!
This is a fantastic salad – thanks!!
This is absolutely my kind of meal, Lori! Vibrant, healthy, delicious. Love the flavors here!
So vibrant 🙂 I love quinoa salads!
Thank you, this recipe has motivated me to buy some quinoa. I’ve not tried it before but have heard good things about it. I don’t have any peaches, it can be hard to find good, ripe peaches in AK, but I see this as a great base recipe for what I may have on hand! My garden is producing the cucumbers & peppers, I have a stash of onions & pecans, the dressing sounds yummy…I’m thinking I’ll try this with blueberries & yellow/orange bell peppers, maybe alittle fresh basil! This is now on today’s to do list!
This is beautiful, and looks really delicious 🙂
I love the colors I have been meaning to make yummy salads this summer but I have not really been in the mood. I guess I am going to finally cave and make a yummy salad..
This looks so healthy and delicious! Peaches are still plentiful so I can’t wait to put a few in this salad for a perfect summer side dish!
That looks delicious! I’m going to make it for sure.