I’ve been really into unique and flavorful salad recipes for summer lately. There’s nothing better than whipping up a crunchy, cold, fresh salad on a hot day and never having to worry about actually cooking or baking anything! It’s truly one of my favorite things about this time of year.
This Spicy Radish Summer Quinoa Salad is full of depth and flavor! Make a big batch of this 10-minute vegan salad and you can even keep it in the fridge for several days. It’s one of my favorites for a quick, fresh, healthy lunch or dinner on the warmest of days!
RELATED: 20+ Easy Healthy Salad Recipes
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients for this Spicy Radish Summer Quinoa Salad! Here’s what you need:
Radishes – Sweet and crisp, but a little bit warm and spicy. This recipe is centered around one of my favorites for summer: radishes!
Cooked Quinoa – You can make your own quinoa or save time by buying pre-cooked quinoa for this summer salad.
Arugula – Arugula has a bit of a spicy, peppery flavor that truly takes this salad to another level. However, spinach or kale are great options, too!
Tangerines – Love the citrus flavors of tangerines in this summer quinoa salad! Orange or tangerine slices help balance out the spicy flavors and compliment the crunchy textures in this recipe.
Avocado – Creamy avocado brings this entire salad together! If you’re making this salad in advance, be sure to wait to add the avocado until you are ready to serve.
Pistachios – A little bit of pistachios, walnuts, or almonds add a little bit of extra crunch as well as healthy fats and proteins.
Salt/Pepper/Cayenne – Once the salad is created, add a dash of salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste!
Vegan Turmeric Ginger Dressing – This is my favorite dressing for this Spicy Radish Summer Quinoa Salad. Other great options include this Easy Classic Lemon Vinaigrette or Creamy Lemon Tahini Dressing recipe!
How to Make this Spicy Radish Summer Quinoa Salad
Making this salad is incredibly easy!
- Cook the quinoa (here’s how to cook quinoa perfectly every time).
- Slice the avocado and radishes.
- Combine the salads.
- Top with your favorite vinaigrette or dressing!
That’s it! Have this delicious vegan salad ready in under 10 minutes. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Variations
Make this summer salad your own with these fun and delicious variations or additions! Feel free to substitute these for ingredients in the recipe or add them as additional salad toppings.
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Kale or Spinach
- Walnuts
- Sliced Almonds
- Homemade Granola (a touch of sweet – so good!)
- Roasted Chickpeas
Storing This Salad
One of my favorite things about this salad is that it can be stored for up to 5 days in the refrigerator! One of my favorite ways to store salads is in this salad spinner. It really keeps them crisp and fresh!
To store this Spicy Radish Summer Quinoa Salad, simply create the salad (without the avocado and dressing) and toss it together in an airtight container or salad spinner. Add the lid and keep fresh in the refrigerator! When ready to serve, simply add the avocado and dressing, then enjoy!
What to Make with Radishes
- Roasted Radish, Arugula, & Havarti Pita Bread Pizzas
- Turmeric Tahini & Roasted Beets Power Bowls
- Sesame Tahini Noodles (w/ Roasted Veggies)
- Kung Pao Shrimp Tacos w/ Jalapeno Sauce
More Summer Salad Recipes
- Moroccan Chickpea Carrot Salad
- Sun-Dried Tomato & Arugula Lentil Salad
- Cherry Plum & Goat Cheese Summer Salad
- Fig & Goat Cheese Salad
Did you make this Spicy Radish Summer Quinoa Salad recipe? Be sure to give it a rating below and tag your photos @jar.of.lemons!
Spicy Radish Summer Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup radishes, thinly sliced (about 1 bunch)
- 1 large avocado
- 4 cups arugula
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 4 medium tangerines
- 1/4 cup pistachios
- 1/4 tsp cayenne (optional)
- salt/pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 cup Vegan Turmeric Ginger Dressing
- 1/4 cup mint (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Thinly slice the radishes and avocado.
- Top the arugula with quinoa, tangerine slices, radishes, avocado, pistachios, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Add a drizzle of the dressing and garnish with mint.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Kale or Spinach
- Walnuts
- Sliced Almonds
- Homemade Granola (a touch of sweet – so good!)
- Roasted Chickpeas
Just Jo says:
Delicious recipe and congratulations on the book! I love tangerines and sweet potatoes. All the very best to you 😀
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks so much, Jo!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says:
It’s not just the colors that are inviting me to dig in, it’s also the ingredients. You’ve added so many of my favorites and I just don’t make quinoa often enough. This recipe is perfect for a great lunch. Thank you for sharing.
Christine McMichael replied:
Thank you, Marisa! I like to make quinoa in bulk and keep it around for quick and easy recipes. Otherwise I probably wouldn’t make it very often, either! Enjoy the recipe!
Stephanie @ApplesforCj says:
Such a great looking and sounding detox salad. Of course I’d love to eat this kind of salad anytime. Congrats on your book coming out!
Christine McMichael replied:
Thank you, Stephanie! Enjoy the recipe!
Anvita says:
I love the use of easily available ingredients. The 4 week plan looks good with a lot of good stuff bundled in.
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Anvita! 🙂
Pam Wattenbarger says:
Wow, this sounds both healthy and tasty. I really enjoy radishes and I know they are really healthy for you.
Christine McMichael replied:
Thank you, Pam! Me too, they’re so good!
Byron Thomas says:
It’s the radish that caught my attention with this recipe. I love radishes, probably a little too much. Ha! I’m serious, I usually just wash them real good and eat them with hummus. And, of course, we always add them to our salads for extra crunch and a wonderful peppery flavour. Salad looks so good!
Christine McMichael replied:
Me too, Byron! Ooooh, that’s such a great idea! I will definitely have to try that, too. Thank you!
Mark, CompassandFork says:
Look at all of the colors in this wonderful looking salad. You know what they say about bright colors being good for you to eat? Radish, tangerines and sweet potatoes? Yes please.
Christine McMichael replied:
Yes, exactly! The brighter and more colorful, the better! Enjoy, Mark 🙂
Priya Srinivasan says:
That is one colorful bowl of goodness!!! Love all the ingredients, can;t wait to try!! 🙂
Christine McMichael replied:
Thank you, Priya! It’s so good!
Veena Azmanov says:
Sweet potato, quinoa, radish.. yum yum yum… I’d love to dig in this bowl. such pretty colors and combination
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks so much, Veena! Enjoy the recipe!
Dene' V. Alexander says:
This salad has every petty color imaginable! Congratulations on you book!!
Christine McMichael replied:
Thank you! 🙂
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says:
Congratulations on your book! That is so exciting. And this salad looks fabulous!
Christine McMichael replied:
Thank you, Amy! I’m very excited about it 🙂
Tracy Iseminger says:
So simple yet packed so full of flavors! This certainly sounds like a tasty way to detox!
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Tracy! It definitely is!
Tanya says:
Congratulations on your book! Woop Woop, that is awesome! This salad looks amazing and oh so healthy. I love it!
Christine McMichael replied:
Hi, Tanya! Thank you so much!!!
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says:
Radish and tangerine together sounds like an intriguing flavor. Congratulations on your book!
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Val! 🙂
Gabi Valladares | By Gabriella says:
This salad looks so good! That tangerine, oh my
Christine McMichael replied:
Thank you, Gabi! 🙂