Mandarin Lunchbox Salad
Bright, crunchy Mandarin Lunchbox Salad with quinoa, veggies, citrus, and nuts in a tangy ginger-sesame dressing. Perfect for meal prep or on-the-go!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups quinoa uncooked
- 1 16 oz bag coleslaw mix (reserve dressing packet if included)
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 4 mandarin oranges peeled and separated
- 5 green onions sliced
- 1/2 cup cashews roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 –2 tablespoons honey to taste
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Cook the Quinoa:
- Prepare quinoa according to package directions. Once cooked, set aside to cool to room temperature.
Combine Salad Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, add cooled quinoa, coleslaw mix, diced red bell pepper, mandarin orange segments, sliced green onions, chopped cashews, and sliced almonds.
Make the Dressing:
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, grated ginger, and garlic powder for 30–60 seconds until fully combined.
Toss the Salad:
- Pour dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Chill and Serve:
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve for the best flavor and texture.