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    Home » Salads and Dressings » Broccoli Quinoa Salad with Sesame Miso Dressing

    Broccoli Quinoa Salad with Sesame Miso Dressing

    Published: Jan 15, 2018 · Modified: Apr 9, 2019 by Elaine · This post may contain Amazon affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This blog generates income via ads · 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Healthy Broccoli Quinoa Salad with Sesame Miso Vinaigrette

    A perfect potluck salad, this Broccoli Quinoa Salad with Sesame Miso Dressing is a healthier version of traditional broccoli salad. Made with nutritious quinoa, tender crisp broccoli, sweet red grapes and walnuts, it's tossed with a to-die-for dressing.

    Broccoli Grape Quinoa Salad
    I don't know about you, but the words Broccoli Quinoa Salad don't make me salivate. It's just broccoli, after all, and I know it's good for me, but it's not terribly exciting.

    But combine it with sweet red grapes, a few toasted walnuts and toss it all with a to-die-for Sesame Miso Dressing and I'm coming back for seconds!


    Broccoli Grape Quinoa Salad
    Broccoli Salad has been a staple at potlucks for more years than I can remember. Broccoli florets combined with bacon bits, raisins, cheddar cheese and sunflower seeds and tossed with a mayonnaise-based dressing, it was a simple, make-ahead salad recipe that everyone loved. Ingredients for Broccoli Grape Quinoa Salad

    This Broccoli Quinoa Salad with Sesame Miso Dressing is also a simple, make-ahead salad, and it has a beautiful balance of sweet and savoury flavours. It's a winning combo of nutritious quinoa, crunchy walnuts, tender crisp broccoli and sweet red grapes that pop in your mouth.

    Toss it with my favourite Sesame Miso Vinaigrette and you'll have a satisfying meal in a bowl, minus the mayo!

    This is a good dinner salad, and it makes great leftovers for lunch the following day. Make a big salad, enjoy it for supper, then save some to pack in an airtight container for your lunch. It's nutrient-rich, wholesome and filling--a totally satisfying salad for your clean-eating diet.

    Broccoli Quinoa Salad with Sesame Miso Dressing
    But let's talk about this Sesame Miso Vinaigrette.

    I've used it in several recipes, including Asparagus Salad with Smoked Salmon and this Fresh Veggie and Grilled Shrimp Zoodle Bowl. It's flavours are bold enough to stand up to the broccoli, it's thick enough to bind all the ingredients together, and it adds delicious umami flavour to this broccoli salad.

    Broccoli Grape Quinoa Salad with Sesame Miso Dressing

    Tips for making Broccoli Quinoa Salad

    1. Blanch the broccoli. Or leave it raw. Your choice. Some people have trouble digesting raw cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower. Others claim that cooking destroys their cancer-fighting properties. If you do blanch it, don't overcook it! Cook in or over boiling water just until it starts to turn bright green, remove and plunge into an ice bath (a bowl of ice water) immediately until completely cool. Then drain and pat dry before adding to the salad. It will be tender crisp and a brilliant green colour.
    2. If the grapes you have are large, slice them in half.
    3. To make fluffy quinoa, rinse measured dry quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer. Tip into a pot and add twice as much water. Cook, uncovered, until all the water is absorbed. Then remove from the heat, cover, and let it steam for 5 minutes. Uncover, fluff with a fork and let cool completely before adding to salad. You can spread it out on a baking tray to speed up the  cooling.

    Ready to give broccoli another try?

    Broccoli Quinoa Salad with Sesame Miso Dressing

    Broccoli Quinoa Salad with Sesame Miso Dressing

    A perfect potluck salad, this Broccoli Quinoa Salad with Sesame Miso Dressing is a healthier version of traditional broccoli salad. Made with nutritious quinoa, tender crisp broccoli, sweet red grapes and walnuts, it's tossed with a to-die-for sesame vinaigrette. 
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salads and Dressings
    Cuisine: American, Canadian
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 2 minutes
    Total Time: 22 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 337kcal
    Author: Elaine
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    Ingredients

    • 4 cups broccoli florets blanched
    • 1 cup red grapes halved if large
    • ½ cup dry quinoa
    • ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
    • ⅓ cup walnut pieces

    Sesame Miso Dressing

    • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
    • 2 tablespoon white miso
    • 2 tablespoon sesame oil toasted or regular
    • ⅓ cup rice vinegar
    • 6 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
    • 1 tablespoon honey (or rice syrup for vegan diet)
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt

    Instructions

    Salad

    • Rinse quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer. Tip into a pot and add 1 cup water. Cook, uncovered, until all the water has been absorbed. Then remove from the heat, cover, and let it steam for 5 minutes. Uncover, fluff with a fork and let cool completely before adding to salad. You can spread it out on a baking tray to speed up the  cooling.
    • Add broccoli florets to a pot of boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes or just until they turn bright green. Do not overcook! Have a large bowl of ice water ready, and using a slotted spoon, quickly transfer broccoli to the ice bath to stop it from cooking. Drain on a tea towel or paper towel. Pat dry.
    • Combine blanched broccoli florets, grapes, red onion, and quinoa in a large bowl. Toss with Sesame Miso Dressing, garnish with coarsely chopped walnuts and serve.

    Sesame Miso Dressing

    • Toast sesame seeds in a small skillet over medium heat, shaking the pan frequently to prevent burning. When they just begin to darken and become fragrant, remove from heat immediately and transfer to a small plate to cool.
    • In a small jar, whisk the remaining ingredients until well combined.Add the toasted sesame seeds and serve with salad.
    • Note:  These amounts will make twice as much as you will need for this salad. Store remainder in a jar in the fridge and enjoy over salads, roasted vegetables or grilled meats.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 337kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 336mg | Potassium: 545mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 590IU | Vitamin C: 83.2mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 2.2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @enessman or tag #flavourandsavour!

    This post contains affiliate links. If you click on any of the affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I’ll receive a small commission. The commission is paid by the third party, not by you. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. It’s an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    SAVE THIS TO ONE OF YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS and connect with me on Pinterest! I’m always finding new tasty recipes to pin. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter and never miss a recipe!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Colleen

      February 09, 2018 at 3:34 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Elaine. This salad shows up at every pot luck, but you have made it fresh and delicious with that sesame miso dressing. So much better than a mayo based dressing in every way.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        February 10, 2018 at 4:24 pm

        Thanks Colleen,
        Love that dressing! I think I could eat it on anything lol!

        Reply
    2. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking

      February 09, 2018 at 2:17 pm

      5 stars
      This is a great twist on broccoli salad! Love the grapes and quinoa, and I'm a huge fan of homemade dressings, so that sesame miso dressing is calling my name!!

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        February 09, 2018 at 2:19 pm

        Homemade dressings are the best!

        Reply
    3. maria

      February 09, 2018 at 8:29 am

      5 stars
      You've done it Elaine!!! You have made broccoli exciting 🙂 I think you may be on to something... this salad looks amazing! Thanks for sharing ♥

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        February 09, 2018 at 8:53 am

        Thanks Maria! That makes me laugh--yes, broccoli isn't the most exciting food on the planet, but we loved it in this salad!

        Reply

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    Elaine from Flavour and Savour

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    I create delicious gluten-free recipes that everyone can make. I’m here to show you that gluten-free eating doesn’t have to be complicated! I’ll help you make healthy meals that you’ll want to share with family and friends. About Me!

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