Summer Squash Quinoa Salad
This Summer Squash Quinoa Salad is the perfect summer side dish. Yellow squash, zucchini and cherry tomatoes sautéd in olive oil, lemon juice and garlic, mixed together with quinoa, it can be served hot or cold!
Anyone else having a hard time believing it’s August?! I think we can all agree that this has been the weirdest summer of all time, but despite being able to do very little outside of our homes it has strangely flown by. Soon we will be talking all things apple and pumpkin, but until then, I’m trying to soak in as much summer produce as possible!
I must be on a zucchini kick! Last week I posted this Double Chocolate Zucchini Snack Cake, several of you have already let me know you made it and loved it which makes me so happy! This week I’m sharing this Summer Squash Quinoa Salad, a fresh summer side dish that can be served hot or cold! Bright, summer flavors paired with nutritious quinoa, it’s a dish you can feel good about serving your family again and again!
How to make Summer Squash Quinoa Salad
The good news is, the whole dish is made in one skillet! Make sure to use your largest skillet because you will be using 4 whole squash (2 yellow and 2 zucchini) and until they cook down they take up a lot of room in the pan.
You’ll start by slicing the squash into 1/4 inch slices, no need to peel them, just slice off the top and bottom and use the rest. Heat olive oil in your large skillet and add the cherry tomatoes and salt. You’ll keep the tomatoes whole for this recipe, as they sauté they will blister and eventually burst which adds a lot of flavor to the dish.
Once the tomatoes start to blister you will add in the zucchini and yellow squash. Add some more olive oil, lemon juice and oregano and continue to sauté until the squash softens and reduces by about half. Toss in some garlic and add the quinoa, reduce to low heat and simmer for a few minutes for the quinoa to soak in the delicious juices.
How to Serve Summer Squash Quinoa Salad
The great this about this dish is that it can be served hot or cold! You can make it with dinner and serve it hot out of the pan. Or you can prep it in advance and serve it cold. I’ve had it both ways and I can’t say which I like better, they are both delicious!
Some pairing ideas for this side dish are grilled chicken, salmon or steak. It can also stand on it’s own as a meal, leftovers make a easy, healthy and filling lunch!
Summer Squash Quinoa Salad
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Description
This Summer Squash Quinoa Salad is the perfect summer side dish. Yellow squash, zucchini and cherry tomatoes sautéd in olive oil, lemon juice and garlic, mixed together with quinoa, it can be served hot or cold!
Ingredients
2 yellow summer squash
2 zucchini
6 tbsp olive oil, divided
8oz Tricolored cherry tomatoes
1/2 tsp salt
juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp oregano
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 cups quinoa, cooked according to package instructions
Instructions
Slice the summer squash and zucchini into 1/4″ thick slices
Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet* over medium-high heat
Add the tomatoes and salt
Working with a wooden spoon sauté the tomatoes until they start to blister, about 3-4 minutes
Add the yellow squash and zucchini**
Add 2 tbsp olive oil, the lemon juice and oregano
Sauté another 6-8 minutes until the squash cooks down and softens
Add the garlic, sauté 1-2 minutes
Add the quinoa, mix
Reduce heat to medium-low
Add the last tablespoon of olive oil and season with more salt if desired
Serve hot or put in the refrigerator at least 2 hour and up to 3 days and serve cold
Notes
*Use your largest skillet because until the squash and zucchini cook down they take up a lot of room
**Depending on the size of your pan you may need to add it in 2 batches
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Keywords: #summersquashsalad, #quinoasalad, #summersquash
pin it for later:
If you make this Summer Squash Quinoa Salad let me know how you like it! Leave a star rating and comment here! If you snap a photo, I’d love to see it – share it over on Instagram and tag me @sprinklesandseasalt!