This Vegan Ceviche Quinoa Salad Recipe is a refreshing vegan twist to the classic Mexican Ceviche. It's easy to make, on-the-table in minutes, a perfect party appetizer, salad for lunch or afternoon snack when paired with chips. Gluten-Free. 6 ingredients. Loaded with protein and fiber, this Vegan Ceviche Quinoa Salad is the yummiest ever.
What is Ceviche?
The classic Ceviche originated in Peru and is typically made with seafood marinated in citrus juices, salt, hot peppers, onions and fresh cilantro. It's similar to pico de gallo but yet different. There are several variations like Peruvian, Caribbean, Pacific, or Mexican ceviche with slight alterations.
The first time I had ceviche was in Mexico. As a vegetarian I was served ceviche made of quinoa and I instantly fell in love with it's refreshing, cool taste. For some it's a popular summer obsession but my family likes to enjoy it all year round.
Vegan Ceviche Ingredients
Nothing fancy, just readily available ingredients from the kitchen.
- Quinoa
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Cilantro
- Condiments
How to make Vegan Ceviche Quinoa Salad?
Here is just a gist of the steps involved to make this ceviche. You can find the detailed recipe in the recipe card below.
Step 1 : Cook Quinoa - cook the perfectly fluffy quinoa either on the stove top following the directions on the package or if you are like me who like to cook a big batch of quinoa to make several salads through out the week then cook the perfect quinoa in your Instant Pots (Instant Pot Quinoa recipe here).
Step 2 : Prep the ingredients - While the Quinoa is cooking, chop the onions, tomatoes, peppers, cilantro and squeeze some fresh lime juice.
Step 3 : Mix the ingredients - Toss the cooked quinoa, chopped ingredients and add the salt and lemon juice. Mix well. You can either serve it cold in summer or room temperature in winter, it's sure to tantalize your tastebuds.
Ceviche Variations
There are lots of variations I have seen online and tried a couple myself but the Vegan Quinoa Ceviche Salad remains my favorite. If you'd like to get creative with your Vegan Ceviche , here are some additional veggies you can throw into your Ceviche recipe.
- Cauliflower
- Avocados
- Mint
- Basil
- Parsley
- Cucumbers
- Bell Peppers
- Hearts of Palm
If you land up using one of the above additional ingredients, do let us know. We would love to hear from you about your twist. I've personally tried a couple vegan ceviche recipes using Avocados and Cauliflowers and yes I liked them but nothing beats my Vegan Ceviche Quinoa Salad recipe.
Serving Ideas
Ah! This is fun. I don't need it to be summer to relish this Ceviche. I honestly love this dish so much that I can enjoy it just as is for lunch or snack and I have made it several times as a party appetizer and it was a complete crowd pleaser. If you want to wow your guests at your next party or a game night, this is a must-try. Little A enjoys it most as his after-school snack with some chips or I even pack it in his lunchbox as a main sometimes. I literally make it all year round. I have so many different ideas to give this Vegan Quinoa Ceviche a twist. Serve it
- In a bowl as a salad
- As a dip with chips, scoops or pita chips
- Spread it on your tostada or papadam
- Stuff those cherry tomatoes
- Make cucumber cups
If you can think of other ideas to add to this list, drop us your comment below with your idea.
Quinoa
Quinoa is a 7000-year-old ancient seed (yes, it's not a grain but a seed) that originated in the mountains of South America. It's best known for its nutrition. Did you know that quinoa nutrition is so impressive that NASA even wants to use it for long-term space missions as a healthy, easily growable crop?
According to Dr. Axe, Quinoa is one of the best complete protein food available in form of plant-based protein. It is also a gluten-free carb and is a must-have for energy. It has an excellent balance between oil, fat, protein and has a unique composition of amino acids. The seeds boast of a great protein to carb ratio.
Saponin is the compound which gives Quinoa the bitter taste. Although most Quinoa you buy from the store is pre-rinsed, it doesn't hurt to give it another rinse under cold water. That soft white foam is saponin. It can interfere with digestion preventing absorption of nutrients.
It has a lot of health benefits, it aids in weight loss, as the high soluble fiber and protein content makes you feel full. The antioxidants found in Quinoa can help fight cancer, it's heart-healthy, keeps gut healthy, supports bone health, and reduces the risk of diabetes.
To get the perfectly cooked Quinoa follow the 1:2 proportion. One part Quinoa, two parts water. Once the quinoa is water is absorbed the Quinoa is cooked and you will notice the seeds have popped and become fluffier. If you are like me, I always keep a batch of cooked quinoa in my fridge, as I use it for something or the other always. Makes life easy.
How can I meal prep this quinoa salad?
When I meal prep this salad for a crowd or just for the family, I cook a large batch of quinoa in my instant pot and then store it in the refrigerator for upto a week. When I want to prep the salad for the weeknights or a gathering I just toss the in freshly chopped veggies and herbs and the seasonings and it's ready to go. I have often made different variations of this quinoa salad on several gatherings and they have always been a hit.
Why does my Quinoa taste bitter?
Saponin is the compound which gives Quinoa the bitter taste. Although most Quinoa you buy from the store is pre-rinsed, it doesn't hurt to give it another rinse under cold water. That soft white foam is saponin. It can interfere with digestion preventing absorption of nutrients.
f you are a fan of healthy eating and have just purchased an instant pot, Try out our 100+Instant Pot Vegetarian Recipes. From Soups to Pasta and from Appetizers to Desserts and everything in between. You can find more quinoa recipe here.
If you make this recipe, Don’t forget to come back and leave your feedback and star rating. We would be THRILLED if you would take a pic and tag us on Instagram @dbellyrulesdmind or Facebook @thebellyrulesthemind
Vegan Ceviche Quinoa Salad Recipe
Vegan Ceviche Quinoa Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Diet: VeganDiet
Description
This Vegan Ceviche Quinoa Salad Recipe is a refreshing vegan twist to the classic Mexican Ceviche. It's easy to make, on-the-table in minutes, a perfect party appetizer, salad for lunch or afternoon snack when paired with chips. Gluten-Free. 6 ingredients. Loaded with protein and fiber, this Vegan Ceviche Quinoa Salad is the yummiest ever.
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- ¼ cup tomatoes, diced
- ¼ cup onions, diced
- ¼ cup cucumbers, diced
- ⅛ cup cilantro , chopped
- 2 chillies / 1 jalapeno (optional)
- 2 tbsp. lime / lemon juice
- 2 cups water
- salt to taste
Instructions
Step 1 : Cook Quinoa - cook the perfectly fluffy quinoa either on the stove top following the directions on the package on the stove top or if you are like me who like to cook a big batch of quinoa to make several salads through out the week then cook the perfect quinoa in your Instant Pots (Instant Pot Quinoa recipe here).
Step 2 : Prep the ingredients - While the Quinoa is cooking, chop the onions, tomatoes, peppers, cilantro and squeeze some fresh lime juice.
Step 3 : Mix the ingredients - Toss the cooked quinoa, chopped ingredients and add the salt and lemon juice. Mix well. You can either serve it cold in summer or room temperature in winter, it's sure to tantalize your tastebuds.
Notes
Pro Tip : Make sure to rinse the quinoa well before cooking it to make sure you don;t get a bitter taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Cuisine: Mexican
