Quinoa Edamame Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing

This edamame quinoa salad recipe is such a refreshing chilled salad! It’s loaded with crunchy vegetables and tossed in a sesame ginger dressing that wakes up every bite. You’ll want to keep this simple salad in your fridge for a quick meal anytime!

Mixing the dressing into the quinoa edamame salad with a wooden spoon.

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Asian Quinoa Edamame Salad Recipe

This quinoa and edamame salad is a great example of how to get more plant-based protein into your diet! Just one serving has 10 grams of protein, which makes this the perfect salad for vegans, vegetarians, or anyone trying to up their protein intake. Plus, it’s such a delicious salad infused with so much flavor!

The simple Asian dressing is sweet, savory, tangy, and nutty and really makes those veggies shine. My family would gladly eat this salad every week, and since it’s served cold, it’s a great way to do some meal prep!

If you’re a fan of Asian flavors, you’ll definitely want to try out this Panera Chinese Citrus Cashew Salad too!

PF Chang’s Chicken Fried Rice

Why We Love This Edamame Quinoa Salad Recipe

So crunchy: A good side salad should have lots of crunch, and this one hits the mark perfectly. The cucumber, red pepper, carrots, green onions, and edamame add so much texture, and they’re all perfectly seasoned with the dressing, too. So good!

Healthy and delicious: This is a recipe you can gladly eat all week long! It’s the perfect balance of nutrients all in one bowl! It’s also low in sodium and has lots of veggies and fiber. In fact, one serving has almost 10g of protein as well as 5g of fiber, all for 200 calories. It’s a keeper!

Easy meal: Although I often serve this as a side dish, it can easily be a great main dish for people on a plant-based diet or those looking for more meatless meals. Quinoa is a great source of protein, so you’ll have plenty of energy for your day. You can even make a double batch and store the leftovers in the fridge for a quick meal the next day. It makes great leftovers!

Ingredient Notes

Individually portioned ingredients for the quinoa edamame salad.

Uncooked quinoa: Cook the quinoa in broth to add lots of flavor.
Reduced sodium broth: You can use vegetable or chicken broth if you don’t require the recipe to be vegetarian. Feel free to use water as an alternative.
Cucumber: Quarter and slice the cucumber.
Red bell pepper: Dice the pepper into small bites.
Carrot: Grate the carrot yourself or use carrot shreds or matchsticks from the store.
Green onions: A little thinly sliced green onion adds a nice, fresh bite.
Edamame beans: These are young soybeans, often sold in the freezer section. Let them thaw before adding it to your salad.
Sesame seeds: Use slivered almonds as an alternative (optional).

Salad dressing ingredients:

Reduced sodium soy sauce: Use coconut aminos as an alternative.
Honey: This adds a little sweetness that brings out the other flavors in this easy dressing. Feel free to use maple syrup instead.
Rice vinegar: Use unseasoned rice wine vinegar to keep the sugar content low. White wine vinegar or even lime juice would be a great alternative.
Sesame oil: This adds a nutty flavor that brings all the flavors out.
Fresh ginger: Grate some fresh ginger for a refreshing bite.
Red pepper flakes: These are optional, but they add a nice kick.
Mandarin orange slices: These are also optional, but I love the fruity pop of flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

The quinoa edamame salad ingredients in a white bowl, prior to mixing together.

Rinse and cook quinoa according to package directions. Fluff and allow it to cool.
While the quinoa is cooking, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, ginger and red pepper flakes (if using) in a small bowl or jar.
Once the quinoa has cooled to room temperature, add the cucumber, red pepper, carrot, green onions, edamame, sesame seeds or almonds. Toss with dressing and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Enjoy!

Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!

Recipe Tips:

Be sure to use broth or season the cooking water to ensure the cooked quinoa is flavorful.
Stir the quinoa every few minutes to help it cook down faster.
The flavors will develop as the salad rests. Give it a little time before adding more seasonings or other ingredients.

Pouring the sesame ginger dressing onto the quinoa and edamame salad.

Recipe FAQs

Should quinoa salad with edamame be served hot or cold?

This is a chilled salad. Be sure to let it cool for at least 2 hours before serving for the best flavor. Some of the vegetables can tolerate being heated, but others, like the cucumber, will become soggy and watery if heated. It does taste nice served at room temperature, though!

Can you use frozen edamame for salads?

There are several ways to prepare edamame, but the easiest option is to buy it frozen and shelled. Let it thaw, and then add it to your recipes. It’s so easy, and you don’t have to fuss with steaming or opening the pods at all!

Do you have to rinse quinoa before cooking?

Most quinoa you buy at the grocery store has already been processed to remove the bitter, soapy coating on the seeds, but not all. When in doubt, give it a good rinse under cold water for at least 30 seconds, and strain off the excess water.

Storage Guidelines

Store this quinoa edamame salad with sesame ginger dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. It does not need to be reheated before serving. It should not be frozen.

A quinoa salad with edamame portioned out in a lunch box.

Serving Suggestions

The flavors in this healthy salad make it a really tasty side dish to pair with an Asian weeknight dinner. Try serving it with any of the following recipes:

Recipe Variations

Add more veggies or herbs: This salad would also be great with some slivered red cabbage, fresh cilantro, sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, chopped peanuts, and more. Feel free to get creative with it!
Use brown rice: Although this will change the nutritional facts and reduce the amount of protein, it is a nice alternative.
Use storebought dressing: If there’s a sesame ginger dressing you like at the store, you can use that in a pinch! Be sure to look for one that’s lower in sugar and sodium.

A close-up of a large spoonful of the quinoa edamame salad.

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A bowl of edamame quinoa salad with sesame ginger dressing.

Course Main Course, Side Dish