Amazing Crispy Brussel Sprout Quinoa Salad Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

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Crispy Brussel Sprout Quinoa Salad Recipe: Made with roasted brussels sprouts, shallots, and sweet red peppers, this lentil salad is filling and fragrant.

Amazing Crispy Brussel Sprout Quinoa Salad Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (1)

Quinoa Salad Recipe

When it comes to this Quinoa Lentil Salad Recipe, chances are you fit into one of two camps.

Camp A: Where quinoa and lentils are two “health foods” you should probably eat more of, but often (intentionally) forget.

Camp B: You’ve been on the quinoa salad craze sweeping the nation and are now utterly exhausted by quinoa… And lentils for that matter.

Well, let me put your mind at ease by saying, this Crispy Brussel Sprout Quinoa Salad Recipe is more about the “goodies” tossed into the salad than it is about the quinoa.

And the lentils? They add a nice dose of contrast and protein, so they can stay.

You are going to love this… I promise.

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Quinoa and Lentils

Lentil salad is one of my favorite side dishes because it’s hearty and oh so tasty, with tons of textural appeal.

In this Quinoa Lentil Salad, you can start two separate components at once, to save time. I cooked the quinoa and lentils in the same pot with a touch of curry. Not enough curry to overwhelm the dish, mind you, just enough to add a little exotic intrigue.

How To Make Quinoa Salad With Lentils

Place the quinoa and lentils in a medium stock pot with water, salt, and curry powder. Bring it to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to medium-low.

Cook until the quinoa is fluffy and the lentils are cooked, but firm. Remove from heat, but keep it covered until ready to use.

Crispy Brussel Sprouts and Shallots

Meanwhile, preheat the oven and cut the Brussels sprouts in half and slice thin. Place them on a rimmed baking sheet with the sliced shallots and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat then spread them out thin and salt and pepper.

Then place a pan of shaved brussels sprouts and shallots in the oven to roast while the quinoa and lentils are cooking, so that they both finish cooking around the same time. Bake until crispy.

See The Recipe Card Below For How To Make This Crispy Brussel Sprout Quinoa Salad Recipe. Enjoy!

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Red Peppers and Scallions

Fluff the quinoa and lentils and move them to a large bowl. Add the crispy Brussels sprouts and shallots, chopped sweet sun-dried red peppers, chopped scallions, and the juice of half a lemon. This adds a fresh pop of color and sweetness.

Toss and salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Leftovers?

Viola! Rich earthy flavors, crispy goodness, and a tangy-sweet punch at the end.

This quinoa lentil salad goes well with everything but, also stands on its own as a marvelous vegetarian dish.

It also makes the best leftovers as a cold salad! Make sure to refrigerate in an airtight container to make it last for 3-5 days.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Can I Substitute For Sun-Dried Red Peppers?

Try Sun-Dried Tomatoes or Roasted Red Peppers. The flavor won’t be as sweet but will get the job done. One of my readers even tried replacing this ingredient with dried cranberries for Thanksgiving!

Don’t Want To Use Lemon Juice?

Try using 2 teaspoons of red vinegar and 1 tablespoon of water. This was suggested by a reader who is allergic to lemons!

How Do You Tell If The Lentils Are Cooked?

For salads, lentils should be firm, but not hard. As you are cooking them take one out and taste it, kind of like pasta, to test for its texture. Don’t let them get mushy!

Best Lentils For This Brussel Sprouts Salad Recipe?

Make sure you are using a firmer lentil so that it turns out fluffy and not mushy. Red lentils are a no-go while French, beluga, or green lentils are all perfect to use.

Amazing Crispy Brussel Sprout Quinoa Salad Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (5)

More Healthy Salads!

  • Chunky Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
  • Market Bean Salad Recipe
  • Roasted Beet Chickpea Kale Salad
  • Kale Salad Recipe with Pecorino, Strawberries, Pine Nuts
  • Everyday Salad from Gimme Some Oven

Amazing Crispy Brussel Sprout Quinoa Salad Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (6)

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Crispy Brussel Sprouts Quinoa Salad Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Quinoa Lentil Salad Recipe:Made withroasted brussels sprouts,shallots, and sweet red peppers, thislentil saladis filling and fragrant.

Servings: 8

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the quinoa and lentils in a medium stockpot with 3 cups of water, 1 teaspoon salt, and 3/4 teaspoon curry powder. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 25-30 minutes until the quinoa is fluffy and the lentils are cooked, but firm. Remove from heat, but keep covered until ready to use.

  • Meanwhile, cut the Brussels sprouts in half and slice thin. Place them on a rimmed baking sheet with the sliced shallots and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat then spread them out thin and salt and pepper. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until crispy.

  • Fluff the quinoa and lentils and move to a large bowl. Add the crispy Brussels sprouts and shallots, chopped sweet peppers, chopped scallions, and the juice of half a lemon. Toss and salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 214kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 18mg, Potassium: 546mg, Fiber: 12g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 900IU, Vitamin C: 30.9mg, Calcium: 44mg, Iron: 3.6mg

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Author: Sommer Collier

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Amazing Crispy Brussel Sprout Quinoa Salad Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

FAQs

Why won't my Brussel Sprouts get crispy? ›

Roast the Brussels Sprouts at high heat

If you don't hear them crisping up in the oven, add a little more oil and roast them for a few more minutes until your desire crispiness is achieved!

How healthy are crispy Brussel Sprouts? ›

Eating a lot of Brussels sprouts and other cruciferous veggies may help protect against cancers of the stomach, lungs, kidney, breast, bladder, and prostate. Crunchy veggies like Brussels sprouts may also help you stave off other health issues, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes.

What gives Brussel Sprouts a better taste? ›

In the late 1990s scientists identified specific chemicals, called glucosinolates, that made Brussels sprouts taste bitter. Plant breeders started growing old seeds, previously discarded for producing paltry harvests, to identify tastier versions with lower levels of these compounds.

Why do you soak Brussels sprouts before cooking? ›

Not only can soaking make the centers more malleable, but the water that's absorbed into them will create a steaming action, whether you choose to roast, saute, or make your Brussels sprouts in your air fryer. The steam can help to ensure the cooking is even throughout the Brussels sprout.

How to re-crisp Brussels sprouts? ›

The best way to reheat roasted Brussels sprouts is in the oven. Add leftover cooked Brussels sprouts to a lightly oiled baking sheet. Rewarm in the at 350 degrees F for 5 or so minutes, until heated through.

What takes the bitterness out of Brussels sprouts? ›

One technique for mitigating bitterness in Brussels sprouts is to blanch them. (This technique also works for making collard greens less bitter, as well as other greens.) Blanching involves adding your veg to boiling water for a brief period, then plunging it into an ice bath to stop the cooking process.

Why are brussel sprouts spicy? ›

Brussels sprouts have very high levels of glucosinolates, which contain sulfur and nitrogen. The most notable glucosinolate in the little cabbages is sinigrin, which gives them their bitter flavor. In fact, some glucosinolates are known to be toxic, and some animals take bitterness as a sign: DO NOT EAT THIS.

Why do I feel so good after eating brussel sprouts? ›

Brussels sprouts are a source of fiber and may reduce inflammation. This cruciferous vegetable offers nutrients, including antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.

Which country eats the most Brussel Sprouts? ›

Did you know? Britons eat more Brussels sprouts than any other nation in Europe. Our sprout industry is worth £650m and the area covered by sprout fields in the UK is the equivalent of 3,240 football pitches. It's fair to say that these days, no one loves sprouts more than the British.

Is it OK to eat Brussel Sprouts everyday? ›

Is it OK to eat Brussels sprouts everyday? Go for it. “If you enjoy sprouts and can tolerate them, absolutely! They're lower in calories and contain a myriad of important nutrients” says Snyder.

Should I buy frozen or fresh Brussel Sprouts? ›

While I love fresh Brussels sprouts, I turn to frozen sprouts more often than not for so many reasons. Top one being they are super convenient as there's no need for prepping. They are also just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts, more affordable, and helps to reduce food waste.

Why are my Brussels sprouts still hard after cooking? ›

Not using enough oil.

We like to use olive oil, but plain vegetable oil is great too. If the sprouts are well-coated, they'll caramelize and char instead of simply softening in the oven. Follow this tip: For every 1 pound of Brussels sprouts, you'll want to use 2 tablespoons of oil.

Why are my roasted brussels sprouts mushy? ›

There is nothing worse than soggy Brussels sprouts. If they are soggy and mushy-they are probably overcooked. You want a crisp on the outside Brussel sprout, so watch that cooking time.

Why are my brussel sprouts not forming? ›

The usual cause is poor soil, lack of growth and especially the use of non-hybrid cultivars. Only hybrid cultivars can be relied on to produce firm sprouts. Excessive nitrogen fertiliser is not implicated in loose sprout formation.

What happens if you cook brussel sprouts too long? ›

They are one of my favorite veggies in the whole wide world! When overcooked, Brussels sprouts turn mushy and release excess sulphur (the thing that makes cabbage and Brussels sprouts smell like cabbage and Brussels sprouts)—not good eats.

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