Easy Green Apple Blue Cheese Quinoa Bowl Recipe
Looking for a fresh and easy lunchtime option that’s not actually a salad? Try my green apple blue cheese quinoa bowl. This simple apple quinoa salad is a delicious flavor combination that incorporates bold flavors and crisp apples while still having a healthy and light meal. Full of nutrient rich grains, juicy apples, crunchy red onions, earthy pecans, funky blue cheese, and sweet dried cranberries, this non-salad salad recipe is full of healthy ingredients and has the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. It’s the perfect choice for lunch, a lite dinner, or as a holiday side. Full recipe card below!
This post contains affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for more information.
What is a Quinoa Bowl?
Quinoa is very similar to rice in size and uses, however quinoa is a small, bead like whole grain that is actually gluten free. But quinoa is higher in fiber and protein than rice and contains less carbs. Because of quinoas similar size and neutral flavor, it can be used in almost any application you would use rice in and makes it the perfect vessel for a bowl meal. Bowls can be topped with a variety of fruits, veggies, and protein options.
Quinoa Bowl Ingredients
This simple yet delicious salad bowl has so much flavor and makes the perfect recipe for a quick lunch. This dish uses basic ingredients and easy steps but I will share what I used and what can be substituted.
Quinoa – Quinoa is the base ingredient in this bowl. If you have never had it, it is a small, bead like gluten free whole grain. It is similar to rice in cooking methods and uses but is higher in fiber and protein than rice and contains less carbs. It has a neutral earthy flavor and is the perfect base for a bowl like this. Brown rice would be the closest substitute here. Quinoa can usually be found near the rice at the grocery store.
Green Apples – One of the main components in this quinoa salad is the tart green apples. These offset the strong flavor of the blue cheese and the earthiness of the pecans. The type of apple you use is up to you but it will have the best flavor with tart or sweet apples. My personal favorites are pink lady, honeycrisp apples, or granny smith apples. Plain red apples like red delicious are too mild and won’t have enough flavor. But for best results, stick to the crisp granny smith apples.
Red Onion – I chose to use a red onion here since it is raw and doesn’t get cooked. Red onions are the best onion to use in raw applications and have a slightly spicy flavor to them. You could also use a white or yellow onion if that’s all you have but it will have the best flavor with a red onion. Green onion would also work in this salad but will be a bit different than a raw red onion.
Blue Cheese – The other main component in this salad is the blue cheese. This potent, creamy, and tangy cheese can add a ton of flavor to a dish and this salad is no exception. This pungent cheese plays off the acidity of the apples in the best way. If you don’t like blue cheese, the closest good alternative is gorgonzola cheese. And if that is still too much, I would use feta cheese or some creamy goat cheese. Both have a stronger flavor profile and a tangy taste.
Dried Cranberries – To add a little sweetness to this salad I also add dried cranberries, aka, Craisins. They not only add flavor but a little bit of texture and make it a great option for a special occasion like Thanksgiving and Christmas. While this dish is a play on my go to holiday dinner salad, you could definitely use this as a side dish for family gatherings.
Pecans – To add a little bit of crunch to this salad I add pecans. They are an optional ingredient especially if you have a nut allergy, but if you can include them, they add a wonderful crunch and earthy flavor to the bowl. I buy my pecans in bulk at Costco and keep them in the freezer until I need them. If you are looking for a good alternative, crunchy walnuts are the next best thing.
Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing – Raspberry vinaigrette is an excellent compliment to the blue cheese and pecans and a healthier option than many cream based salad dressings. If you cannot find raspberry vinaigrette, the best substitute would be a sweet vinaigrette or a balsamic vinaigrette. Either way you will want a dressing or a sauce on the quinoa or it will be very dry and bland.
* Note to my readers. I strive to bring home cooks reliable recipes you can count on. Every recipe on this site is tested and made by me personally in my own kitchen and given to my harshest recipe tester critics for invaluable feedback. This site does not review its own recipes or participate in paid reviews nor does it purchase recipes and photos from third parties. Photos are taken of each recipe and not artificially generated. All reviews are real trustworthy reviews and if you make a recipe and have feedback, please feel free to contact me.
Print
Easy Green Apple Blue Cheese Quinoa Bowl Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Description
Looking for a fresh lunchtime option that’s not actually a salad? Try my green apple blue cheese quinoa bowl. This easy quinoa bowl is a delicious salad that isn’t really a salad. Full of whole grains, juicy apples, crunchy red onions, earthy pecans, funky blue cheese, and sweet dried cranberries, this apple quinoa bowl has the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. So if you are tired of bland healthy food that you don’t enjoy, treat your taste buds to this filling healthy salad quinoa bowl. It’s the perfect choice for lunch, dinner, or as a holiday side.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Quinoa
- 1 3/4 cup Water
- 1/2 Red Onion
- 1 Green Apple sliced
- 1/2 cup Pecans
- 1/4 cup Dried Cranberries
- 1/4 cup Blue Cheese Crumbles
- Raspberry Vinaigrette
Instructions
- In a small pot, bring 1 3/4 cups of water to a boil and generously salt the water. About 1/4 tsp.
- Once the water is boiling, add the quinoa to the pot, reduce heat, and cover. Cook for 15-20 minutes until the water has evaporated. Cooked quinoa should be fluffy and the grains should be popped open.
- Wash and slice one granny smith apple. If you are making ahead of time, coat the apple slices in a little lemon juice or lime juice to prevent them from turning brown.
- Slice red onion into strips.
- Add a layer of quinoa to the bottom of a large bowl.
- Top with red onion, apple slices, pecans, dried cranberries, and blue cheese.
- Add as little or as much dressing as you like right before serving.
- Store undressed salad in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Entree, Lunch
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Looking for more blue cheese recipes? Try my spinach apple blue cheese salad, whipped blue cheese pear bites, bacon apple blue cheese pizza, or my buffalo chicken blue cheese lettuce wraps.
Looking for more healthy recipe options? Try my fall harvest apple quinoa bowl, garden fresh roasted tomatillo salsa, chicken cobb green goddess salad, strawberry poppyseed salad, or pineapple mango salsa.
Storage
This apple quinoa bowl can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. For best results, store pecans separately to prevent them from getting soggy. To keep the apples from browning, coat in lemon or lime juice. Store the quinoa undressed for best results.
When to Make Blue Cheese Apple Quinoa Bowls
This delicious blue cheese apple quinoa bowl makes a filling lunch, an easy weeknight dinner, or a healthy side dish for Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner. This is my go to healthy meal for lunch when I don’t really feel like cooking on warm days. But honestly you can make it anytime you want because it only takes 25 minutes!
Love new recipes and kitchen talk? Subscribe so you never have to ask what’s on the menu. Delicious recipes delivered straight to your inbox 😉 Plus you will receive access to all my free printables! These are only available to my awesome subscribers as my way of thanking you for your continued support!
Did you enjoy this Easy Green Apple Blue Cheese Quinoa Bowl Recipe? Hover over an image and save to Pinterest! And if you don’t already follow me on social media ( Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok or Facebook ) I would love for us to be friends!
Did you love this recipe? Give it a five star rating and Tag @garrison.street.eats on Instagram and hashtag it #garrisonsteats
This post, Easy Green Apple Blue Cheese Quinoa Bowl Recipe, appeared first on Garrison Street Eats.
