Description
Tuna and Spiced Quinoa Dinner Salad is a hearty Mediterranean-style salad made with quinoa, cauliflower rice, tuna, walnuts, and fresh vegetables, all tossed in a tangy balsamic mustard dressing. It is a balanced, protein-rich meal perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup + 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground fennel
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups cauliflower rice
- 3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon capers, chopped
- 2 (5-ounce) cans white tuna, drained
- 1/2 cup artichoke quarters, chopped
- 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded carrot
- 7 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil in a saucepan, then add 1 teaspoon olive oil, coriander, fennel, salt, and pepper.
- Add quinoa, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until tender.
- Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes.
- Stir in cauliflower rice and let it slightly soften from residual heat.
- In a large bowl, whisk balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard.
- Add shallot and capers and let sit briefly.
- Slowly whisk in remaining olive oil.
- Add tuna, artichokes, walnuts, and carrot, mixing gently.
- Add quinoa mixture and toss to combine.
- Fold in spinach just before serving.
Notes
- Add spinach last to keep it fresh and crisp.
- Can be served warm, room temperature, or cold.
- Swap walnuts with almonds or sunflower seeds if preferred.
- For more brightness, add lemon juice before serving.
- Kale can replace spinach for a sturdier texture.
- Great for meal prep but store spinach separately.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Mixed
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
