I think my now we're all obsessed with the Mexican Corn Quinoa Salad from a few years back on WGC. I gave it a new spin and added some avocado cilantro vin and Havarti and OMG it's equally as perfect! Say hello to your new fav lunch: Havarti Quinoa Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
I think it's my new mission to have a slew of recipes that are easy to prep ahead when it comes to lunch. So often I find myself working until well into "lunch time" and I am ravenous. If nothing is prepped and ready to eat, I wind up eating a block of cheese or something random I find in my fridge. While an entire block of cheese is in fact delish, I'd rather have something that incorporates that cheese into something a little more filling / nutritious. This easy to prep ahead Havarti Quinoa Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette is exactly the ticket!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Red or White Quinoa
- Corn – fresh corn is best but if it's not in season frozen sweet corn can be substituted
- Green Onions
- Jalapeno
- Cilantro Vinaigrette
- Avocado
- Lime
- Havarti Cheese
- Chili Powder
- Salt and Pepper
*For the full recipe and list of ingredients please see recipe card below
How to Make Quinoa Salad
Start by cooking the quinoa. While the quinoa cooks make the Cilantro Vinaigrette. Then add the cooked quinoa and raw corn to a large mixing bowl with the chopped jalapeño, green onions, Cilantro Vinaigrette, all of the lime juice, chunks of havarti cheese and a dash of chili powder. Toss to combine and serve.
Tips & Tricks
- The quinoa can be prepped ahead of time and kept in the fridge plain until ready to assemble.
- The cilantro vinaigrette (which we all know and love) is mixed with 1 avocado while in the blender so it's a creamy cilantro vinaigrette! Because there is vinegar in there, you can prep that ahead of time too as that will help the avocado not to turn brown.
- The rest, easy knife skills and then just toss and stir. MY KINDA MEAL! Feel free to add in any leftover cooked chicken, shrimp, steak etc. Or any other veggies lying around your fridge.
FAQs
What can I put in quinoa to make it taste better?
In my humble opinion, you HAVE to add something to quinoa otherwise it's just not that exciting. Add the cilantro vinaigrette from What's Gaby Cooking really levels it up! Basil vinaigrette would be great too!
What is quinoa salad made of?
The base of all quinoa salads is quinoa! But beyond that - anything goes! I love adding a sauce or a vinaigrette, tons of fresh veggies, cheese, and herbs! Mix it all together and you're in business.
How long is quinoa salad good?
Depending on the mix-ins, I'd say 2-4 days! If you're adding anything that oxidizes, avocados etc, eat it on the quicker side!
More Quinoa Salad Recipes
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today!
Havarti Quinoa Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup red or white quinoa
- 2 cups corn about 4 ears, cut from the cob
- 2 green onions sliced
- 1 jalapeno, diced and seeds removed
- 1 recipe cilantro vinaigrette
- 1 avocado
- 1 lime juiced
- ½ cup havarti cheese cubed
- chili powder to taste
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa according to the package directions.
- Once cooked, add the quinoa and raw corn to a large mixing bowl with the chopped jalapeño, green onions, cilantro avocado vinaigrette, all of the lime juice, chunks of havarti cheese and a dash of chili powder. Toss to combine.
For the Cilantro Vinaigrette
- Make according to the link above but add 1 avocado into the mix before blending until smooth. If it's too thick, smooth out with a few tablespoons of water. The consistency should be that of mayo.
Notes
- The quinoa can be prepped ahead of time and kept in the fridge plain until ready to assemble.
Just love the sound of this one!! Perfect for summer!
Hi!
Can you use creamy mild Havarti cheese???
sure could
Super easy and great for a meatless dinner!
Simply amazing. Fresh and a family favorite! Adding to my repertoire.
Holy heck this was good. Love the addition of the avocado to the vinaigrette—so creamy! Made this as a side this time, but can’t wait to make it again as a main dish and add shrimp.
Not a huge cilantro fan...any other dressin?g you would recommend
my basil vinaigrette would be delish too
Better chilled or room temp?
my preference is room temp
Any suggestions on another ingredient to use besides quinoa??? Not a fan
farro or rice!
I can't wait to use my cilantro for this!!!!
Ingredients does not include jalepeno but instructions do??????
Mimi - jalapeño is the 4th item listed on the ingredients list.