Sweet Strawberry and Pecan Quinoa Salad

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Summer side dishes should be cool and light, like this SWEET STRAWBERRY & PECAN QUINOA SALAD.

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This recipe is in partnership with SPLENDA® Sweetener Products.

I love simple side dishes. And this quinoa is perfect for summer. I love to serve it like a cool  pasta salad would be served, but it’s also delicious served warm.

Quinoa is such a simple side dish. You can make up a huge batch quinoa early in the week and then turn it into different side dishes each night, like this Orange Scallion Quinoa or this Vegetarian Quinoa Salad.

Sweet Strawberry & Pecan Quinoa Salad

To make sure this quinoa has no added sugar, I made a simple syrup with equal parts SPLENDA® Sugar Blend and water to add to the quinoa instead of a traditional simple syrup or honey. However, I’ve used honey and agave before in this recipe as well and it’s delicious.

Make sure to pick up the freshest strawberries right before you plan to make this. The berries are the star of this dish and there is nothing worse than mushy, tart berries.

Perfect for Potlucks

This lightly sweetened quinoa is such a nice change from traditional quinoa recipes. It really is refreshing and perfect for a summer picnic, potluck, or BBQ. Plus, the colors are absolutely beautiful and no one can resist a few spoonfuls! I usually serve it along side a grilled steak or chicken and roasted asparagus, broccoli, or even corn on the cob.

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Sweet Strawberry & Pecan Quinoa Salad

Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Additional Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Summer side dishes should be cool and light, like this SWEET STRAWBERRY & PECAN QUINOA SALAD.

Print

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons SPLENDA® Sugar Blend *
• 2 teaspoons water
• 1 cup dry quinoa
• 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
• 1/2 cup sliced pecan halves
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

Instructions

1. Heat water for 30 seconds in a small microwave safe container. Stir in Splenda until dissolved to create a simple syrup and chill in the refrigerator for several hours.
2. Cook quinoa according to package instructions. And chill completely in the refrigerator for several hours.
3. Right before serving, stir in strawberries, pecans, simple syrup, and thyme. Serve cold as a side salad.

Notes

*Not a fan of Splenda? Swap the splenda and 2 tsps water for 2 tsps of honey or agave syrup.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 129 Total Fat: 6g Saturated Fat: 1g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 5g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 1mg Carbohydrates: 16g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 2g Sugar: 1g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 4g

Disclaimer: This post is part of my ongoing partnership with SPLENDA® Brand.