Mango Quinoa Salad is a refreshing, sweet & spicy Quinoa salad that you can enjoy any day of the week. It is super healthy too!
This Mango Quinoa Salad is packed with many flavors and you can enjoy it any day of the week. Being a vegetarian, I try to add different sources of protein in my diet and Quinoa is always on top of my list. Not only it is easy to make, but also healthy and amazing in taste.
Quinoa is such a versatile ingredient that you can combine it with anything and it will always taste great. Adding Quinoa with Mango makes the flavors pop. The sweetness of mangoes and the tanginess of lime juice combined with all other flavors make this recipe delicious.
I enjoy this recipe in Summers as well as in Winters. In Summers, I usually serve it cold and store it in the refrigerator. While in Winters, I serve it fresh and as a side dish with some Eggs.
MANGO QUINOA SALAD INGREDIENTS
For this Mango Quinoa Salad, I have used:
- Quinoa
- Mango
- Avocado
- Raisins
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Minced Garlic
- Lemon Juice
HOW TO MAKE MANGO QUINOA SALAD
STEP 1- COOK QUINOA: The first step is to cook rinsed Quinoa in Instant Pot. Pressure cook for 1 minute and once the pressure is released open the lid.
STEP 2- ADD INGREDIENTS: Once the Quinoa is cooked, you add other ingredients (mango, jalapenos, cherry tomatoes, parsley, cilantro, and spices).
STEP 3- ADD LEMON JUICE: I didn't added any dressing, I have only added lemon juice in the salad. The flavorful taste of mangoes and tanginess of lemon juice makes this salad a perfect summer cooler.
STEP 4- ADJUST & SERVE: Lastly adjust the seasoning and serve hot or cold.
WHY MANGO?
Mango has a distinct flavor which can be sweet as well as a bit tangy. Adding Mango to the Quinoa Salad gives a sweetness to the dish. Adding jalapenos contrasts this sweetness and gives a definition to the dish.
I don't think I know any Indian who doesn't like Mango. Mango is like a universal language for all Indians. Mango is popular all over the world. But in India, it is perhaps the most loved fruit. Many varieties of mango are available in India. Because Indian mangoes are so sweet, they are often consumed as a dessert in Indian homes. They taste great with ice creams and custards too.
In this recipe, mango and spices enhance quinoa flavor and complement each other.
MAKING QUINOA IN AN INSTANT POT
First, add a little bit of oil to the inner pot of Instant Pot to avoid sticking. Rinse Quinoa till water runs out clear. Then using 1:1.15 proportion of Quinoa & Water, pressure cook for 1 minute. To know more about how to cook Quinoa in an Instant Pot, CLICK HERE.
Stove-Top: I use 1 cup Quinoa and 2 cups of water, and once boiled I cook at low heat for 15- 20 minutes until Quinoa gets sprouted. The final result will be perfectly cooked Quinoa.
Can I Make this Salad in Advance?
You can definitely make this Mango Quinoa Salad in advance and store in the refrigerator, but skip adding avocados. If you're adding then this will last for 1-2 hours and then after that avocados will start getting brown. So if you want to store in refrigerator then don't add avocados. Add avocados in a salad just before serving.
TIPS TO REMEMBER FOR MAKING MANGO SALAD
- Choose mangoes that are ripe, if mangoes are not ripe they won't taste great in a salad. This salad main taste comes from the mangoes, if mangoes are not riped then this salad won't get that sweet taste.
- If you can't find mango, you can easily replace it with the pineapple. Pineapple also works so well in this salad.
- Make sure to rinse the quinoa first, otherwise, sometimes salad might taste a little bitter in flavor.
- You can add raisins or cranberries in the salad for a sweet flavor.
- VIETNAMESE SUMMER ROLLS
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Mango Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 1.15 cup Water
- 1 cup Quinoa
- ⅓ cup Cherry Tomatoes
- 1 Shallot chopped
- 1 Mango cut in bite size
- 2 tablespoon Raisins chopped
- 1 tablespoon Jalapeno de-seeded & chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- Cilantro (to Garnish)
- Parsley (to Garnish)
- Salt & Pepper
- 2-4 tablespoon Lemon Juice as per taste
Instructions
- Add Quinoa & Water to the inner pot of Instant Pot. Close lid, and with the vent in the sealing position, pressure cook for 1 minute. Let the pressure release naturally, or NPR for 10 minutes and then Quick Release.
- Once pressure is released and the valve goes down, open the lid.
- Transfer cooked Quinoa in a bowl and add rest of the ingredients (chopped shallot, tomatoes, raisins, mango, raisins, jalapeno, garlic, cilantro, parsley and lemon juice along with salt & pepper).
- Mix everything evenly till all the ingredients are combined well.
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