Mango Peach Quinoa Salad is the ultimate healthy fruit salad, elevated with protein-rich quinoa and a vibrant honey lime dressing! Bursting with fresh, juicy flavors, this delightful dish is not only incredibly delicious but also a breeze to prepare, making it a perfect choice for any occasion.

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Mango Peach Quinoa Salad: A Taste of Summer in Every Bite

There’s nothing quite like the warmth of summer, bringing with it an abundance of fresh, ripe fruits that inspire creativity in the kitchen. As a mom, I find immense joy in cooking with my children. My kids, especially my almost 9-year-old daughter, love to be involved in the culinary process, from gathering ingredients to stirring and setting the table. It’s a passion I wholeheartedly encourage, not just for the shared moments but for teaching them about healthy eating from an early age. My eldest, in particular, has developed an impressive understanding of nutritious food, often opting for baby carrots as her favorite snack.

Among her favorite dishes to prepare is a good old-fashioned fruit salad. Whether it’s for a backyard party, a family picnic, or simply because our kitchen counter is overflowing with colorful, seasonal produce, a fruit salad is her go-to creation. This ease and accessibility of fresh fruit are, without a doubt, my favorite perks of the summer season. You simply need to chop up a medley of fruits, and in minutes, you have a fantastic, vibrant dish ready to serve. But what if we could make that fruit salad even better, more filling, and more nutritious?

The Inspiration Behind This Delightful Summer Salad

My culinary adventures often begin with a fantastic deal at the grocery store. Recently, I hit the jackpot at Aldi’s, scoring a ton of perfectly ripe mangoes for an unbelievable price of $0.29 each! Naturally, I couldn’t resist. A portion of these golden beauties found their way into ziploc bags in the freezer, destined for my morning smoothies. But the rest? I wanted to savor them fresh. That’s when my daughter’s brilliant idea for a fruit salad struck, leading to the creation of this truly fantastic Mango Peach Quinoa Salad. Peaches were a natural inclusion, as I’m utterly obsessed with them during their peak season, and had an abundance on hand.

The secret ingredient that truly brought all these incredible flavors together was my favorite honey lime dressing. Its zesty, sweet, and tangy notes perfectly complemented the tropical sweetness of mangoes and the soft, juicy texture of peaches. We devoured this salad with grilled chicken for dinner that day, and it was so good, we enjoyed the leftovers for lunch the next day. This salad isn’t just a side dish; it’s a refreshing, satisfying meal on its own, packed with wholesome goodness.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with Mango Peach Quinoa Salad

This isn’t just another fruit salad; it’s a vibrant symphony of flavors and textures designed to delight your palate while nourishing your body. Here’s why this Mango Peach Quinoa Salad is poised to become your new summer favorite:

Unbeatably Healthy & Nutritious: We’ve taken a classic fruit salad and given it a superfood boost with quinoa. Quinoa is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids, making this salad surprisingly filling and beneficial for muscle repair and satiety. It’s also rich in fiber, promoting healthy digestion, and provides essential minerals like iron and magnesium. Paired with mangoes (packed with Vitamin C and A) and peaches (a good source of Vitamins A and C, plus antioxidants), you’re getting a powerful nutrient punch.
Bursting with Fresh, Juicy Flavors: The star ingredients—sweet, tropical mangoes and succulent, tender peaches—create an irresistible base. Their natural sweetness is beautifully balanced by the bright, zesty kick of fresh lime juice and the subtle floral notes of honey in the dressing. Every spoonful is a refreshing explosion of summer goodness.
Incredibly Easy & Quick to Prepare: This recipe is perfect for busy individuals or families looking for a healthy meal without spending hours in the kitchen. With minimal chopping and a simple dressing to whisk, you can have this salad ready in less than 20 minutes, not including quinoa cooking time. It’s ideal for spontaneous gatherings, weeknight dinners, or meal prepping.
Remarkably Versatile: While it shines as a refreshing side dish, this Mango Peach Quinoa Salad can easily transform into a light lunch, a healthy breakfast option, or even a guilt-free dessert. Its vibrant colors make it a showstopper at potlucks, barbecues, and picnics.
Family-Friendly and Fun: As I mentioned, my daughter loves making fruit salads, and this recipe is no exception. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get kids involved in the kitchen, teaching them about different fruits and the joy of creating something delicious and healthy together. The vibrant colors and sweet taste are often a hit with children too!

A Closer Look at the Star Ingredients

Understanding the unique contributions of each component helps appreciate the holistic goodness of this salad:

Mangoes: The Tropical Sweetheart: Known as the “King of Fruits,” mangoes bring a lush, tropical sweetness and creamy texture to the salad. They are an excellent source of Vitamin C, which supports immune function, and Vitamin A, crucial for vision and skin health. Their vibrant color is also a testament to their antioxidant content.
Peaches: The Juicy Summer Gem: These fuzzy delights offer a delicate sweetness and incredible juiciness that pairs perfectly with mangoes. Peaches are rich in antioxidants, particularly phenolic compounds, and provide dietary fiber. They also contribute a lovely soft texture that complements the slight chewiness of quinoa.
Quinoa: The Ancient Grain Powerhouse: Often mistaken for a grain, quinoa is actually a seed that functions as a whole grain. It’s renowned for being one of the few plant-based foods that is a complete protein, making this salad substantial and satisfying. Quinoa also adds a pleasant, slightly nutty flavor and a light, fluffy texture that holds up well in the salad.
Honey Lime Dressing: The Flavor Unifier: This simple yet powerful dressing is what ties all the individual flavors together. Fresh lime juice provides a bright, acidic counterpoint to the fruits’ sweetness, while honey adds a natural, gentle sweetness and a beautiful sheen. A touch of olive oil helps emulsify the dressing and adds a healthy fat component.

How to Make the Perfect Mango Peach Quinoa Salad

Creating this salad is straightforward, involving just a few simple steps:

Cook the Quinoa: Start by rinsing your quinoa thoroughly under cold water. This step is crucial for removing saponins, a natural coating that can give quinoa a bitter taste. Then, cook it according to package directions, typically in a 1:2 ratio with water. Once cooked, fluff it with a fork and let it cool completely. Cooling is essential to prevent the fruit from becoming warm and soggy.
Prepare the Fruit: While the quinoa cools, wash and chop your mangoes and peaches. Aim for bite-sized pieces that are roughly uniform in size for easy eating. If using nectarines instead of peaches, you can skip peeling them.
Whisk the Dressing: In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the fresh lime juice, honey, and olive oil. Whisk them together vigorously until well combined and slightly emulsified. For an extra smooth dressing, a mini food processor or immersion blender can work wonders.
Combine and Toss: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the cooled quinoa with the chopped mangoes and peaches. Pour the honey lime dressing over the salad. Toss everything together carefully to ensure every piece of fruit and quinoa is coated with the delicious dressing.
Serve and Enjoy: This salad can be served immediately, but it often tastes even better after chilling in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Cover and refrigerate any leftovers.

Tips for Success

Choose Ripe Fruit: The success of this salad heavily relies on the ripeness of your mangoes and peaches. Ripe mangoes will yield slightly to gentle pressure and have a sweet aroma. Peaches should be fragrant and soft to the touch.
Don’t Skip Rinsing the Quinoa: As mentioned, rinsing removes bitterness and ensures a clean, pleasant flavor.
Cool the Quinoa Completely: Warm quinoa will wilt the fresh fruit and affect the overall texture and freshness of the salad. Allow it to cool down to room temperature or even chill it slightly in the fridge before mixing.
Adjust Sweetness: Taste your dressing and adjust the honey or lime juice to your preference. If your fruit is very sweet, you might need less honey, and vice versa.
Make Ahead: This salad is fantastic for meal prep! You can cook the quinoa and chop the fruit a day in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Whisk the dressing just before serving and combine everything. For best flavor, consume within 2-3 days.

Variations and Customizations

Feel free to get creative with your Mango Peach Quinoa Salad! Here are some ideas:

Add More Fruits: Incorporate other seasonal fruits like blueberries, raspberries, pineapple, kiwi, or strawberries for an even more colorful and diverse flavor profile.
Boost the Crunch: For added texture, sprinkle in some chopped nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts, or seeds such as pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds. Toasted coconut flakes also make a delightful addition.
Fresh Herbs: A handful of fresh mint or cilantro, finely chopped, can elevate the salad with an unexpected burst of freshness and aroma.
Protein Power-Up: For an even heartier meal, consider adding grilled chicken breast, cooked shrimp, or a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas for a vegetarian protein boost.
Spice It Up: A tiny pinch of red pepper flakes or a finely diced jalapeño can add a subtle, exciting heat that complements the sweet fruit.
Vegan Option: Simply substitute maple syrup or agave nectar for honey in the dressing to make this salad entirely vegan-friendly.

Mango Peach Quinoa Salad

Author:
Anna

Mango Peach Quinoa Salad – a healthy and refreshing fruit salad featuring wholesome quinoa and a delightful honey lime dressing. Perfect for a light meal or vibrant side dish!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars from 6 votes

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Prep Time
10

Cook Time
7

Total Time
17

Course
Salad

Cuisine
American

Servings
5 people

Calories
326 kcal

Ingredients
US Customary
Metric
1x 2x 3x

1 cup uncooked quinoa rinsed
2 cups water
2 mangoes chopped
4 peaches or nectarines chopped
3 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 Tablespoons honey
3 Tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Cook quinoa in water, following the manufacturer’s instructions on the package. When done, fluff with a fork and set aside to cool completely.
In a large mixing bowl, gently stir together the chopped mangoes and peaches. Add the cooled quinoa and stir again until well combined.
In a separate measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together the fresh lime juice, honey, and olive oil until thoroughly blended. Pour this dressing over the salad mixture and toss everything together to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

© 2015, Crunchy Creamy Sweet. Copyright 2014-2015. All rights reserved. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. Please ask for my permission if you want to republish this recipe, or any images, and provide a link back to this post for the original recipe.

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I genuinely hope you enjoy making and savoring this incredible Mango Peach Quinoa Salad as much as my family and I do. It’s a simple yet sophisticated dish that perfectly captures the essence of summer. It’s healthy, satisfying, and bursting with flavors that will brighten any meal.

If you fall in love with this recipe and make it, don’t forget to snap a photo and share it on Instagram! Tag me #crunchycreamysweet so I can admire your delicious creation! Your feedback and shares mean the world.