Colorful Shrimp and Quinoa Salad
I’ve mentioned this before, but I’ll say it again. Hubby spoils me. He packs my lunch every morning before work while I’m getting ready. It works out well since we ride to work together. So every morning, he packs me all sorts of healthy snacks to keep me full throughout the day.
I love eating salads for lunch. I usually go with this Massaged Kale Salad with Pear and Pumpkin Seeds. But sometimes I like to mix things up. I was browsing foodgawker and this recipe caught my eye. Lucky for me, we had all of the ingredients on hand!
This Colorful Shrimp and Quinoa Salad kept well in the fridge and did a good job of keeping me full in to the afternoon. I loved the punch of sweetness provided by the pomegranate arils.
One Year Ago: Short Rib Ragu
Three Years Ago: Chicken Sausage, Spinach, Tomato and Goat Cheese Quiche
Colorful Shrimp and Quinoa Salad
Shrimp, black beans, and quinoa mixed up to make a great healthy salad
Yield: Serves 4-5
Ingredients:
For the Salad
1 lb steamed shrimp
1/2 cup dry quinoa
1/3 cup red onion, chopped
1 orange, peeled and segments chopped
1 avocado, chopped
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup pomegranate arils (about 1 pomegranate worth)
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
salt & pepper
For the Dressing
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, microplaned or finely minced
dash of sugar
salt & pepper
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Directions:
For the Salad
Cook quinoa according to package directions. Set aside to cool.
Combine cooled quinoa with shrimp, red onion, orange segments, avocado, beans, pomegranate arils, cilantro, salt and pepper.
For the Dressing
Add lemon juice, garlic, sweetener, salt and pepper into a small bowl and whisk in oil.
Pour dressing over the salad and stir to combine. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Recipe adapted from Iowa Girl Eats
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
You probably saved a few calories too, by subbing the ham for shrimp! This looks amazing and I love the Mexican flavors.
beantownbaker — April 29th, 2013 @ 12:16 pm
This is definitely a little bit lighter than a normal cobb salad.
I love this take on a cobb salad. The flavors all sound so fresh and bright!
yum! this looks like one absolutely delicious salad. definitely starting to crave more salads, so this is sure to get into the rotation 🙂
beantownbaker — May 14th, 2013 @ 7:21 am
I’ve been craving salads a lot too recently. I’m so glad spring is finally here.
Oh yum, I love cobb salad 🙂 this looks great!
made this for dinner tonight…served the avocado and dressing on the side…everyone and I mean everyone went crazy over this….seconds were had and on a hot night like this it hit the spot…every bite brought out a new flavor..so so good…I follow a lot of blogs and make there recipes but none as much as yours…your recipes are easy, economical and full of flavor….and I love how you do a little bit of everything…keep them coming girl ….
beantownbaker — July 21st, 2013 @ 3:17 pm
Thanks for the kind words! So glad you enjoyed this salad. It’s SO flavorful.
ooo I sooo need this.
My mom is coming up for a Labor DAy visit. I think this NEEDS to be made. noms
beantownbaker — August 27th, 2013 @ 7:58 am
It makes a big salad – so it’s perfect for serving to guests!