Whole Food's California Quinoa Salad - Damn Delicious (2024)

72 comments

1. Emily — March 31, 2024 @ 6:00 PM Reply

   So good! And simple to put together. I left out onions (because I hate onions :)) and it was super! Thank you 🙂

2. Shelley — August 21, 2023 @ 2:39 PM Reply

   I really like this recipe. It’s perfect for work lunch prepping. I’m not a cilantro fan, so I left it out and don’t miss it. Always rinse your quinoa before you cook it!!

3. Chelsea — March 29, 2023 @ 3:27 PM Reply

   I LOVE this salad!!! Its so tasty and gets better the longer it sits. I typically swap the quinoa for pearl couscous and omit the cilantro. 11/10!!!

4. Lauren — June 14, 2021 @ 4:59 PM Reply

   This is an incredible salad, even better than Whole Foods’ just as promised. I added a cup of corn and 3/4 avocado and both complimented it so well!

5. Bink — May 30, 2021 @ 2:27 PM Reply

   This is the tastiest recipe for quinoa I’ve ever had. It’s very compatible with my dietary needs. I didn’t have edamame so I added some frozen peas. Thank you!

6. nicole triebe — August 10, 2020 @ 12:47 PM Reply

   I’m not a quinoa fan but when I had this salad from Whole Foods I wanted to eat it every day. Your version nailed it. SO GOOD

   See Also

   Whipped Shortbread Cookies - Bake. Eat. Repeat.low carb enchilada casserole, low carb enchilada, enchiladasSpicy Curry Ramen with Tofu and Veggies Recipe | Little Spice JarYeast-Raised Gluten Free Donuts | Krispy Kreme Copycat

7. Nancy — July 14, 2020 @ 1:07 AM Reply

   i love this salad!

8. Zareen Kotwal — May 29, 2020 @ 2:05 AM Reply

   Excellent summer salad. Its boiling hot in Mumbai where I live and this was a delicious light yet healthy lunch.I added 1/2 cup boiled sweet corn kernels but no raisins as my husband doesn’t like sweet salads. Though I did sprinkle mine with raisins. I didn’t have balsamic vinegar so added 3 tblsps of red wine vinegar mixed with 3/4 tbslsps honey along with the lemon zest. Wondering what to substitute mangoes with once the season ends. Any ideas?
   Thanks Chungah

9. Linda — March 22, 2020 @ 7:02 PM Reply

   What are the Allergens?

   • Sita — December 29, 2021 @ 11:33 AM Reply

     All the ingredients listed could be allergens if you’re allergic to them. Good thing the ingredients list is published as part of the recipe!

10. Laura — December 10, 2019 @ 5:53 PM Reply

    Hi! This looks amazing! Thinking of making it for lunch for guests. What would you serve with it?

11. Sandy — May 6, 2019 @ 4:26 AM Reply

    Is there a Pinterest link?
    I have al my recies there.
    Sandy

    • Chungah @ Damn Delicious — May 6, 2019 @ 11:01 AM Reply

      Sandy, there is a red Pin It button located right below the title to save this recipe to your Pinterest board. 🙂

12. Jayne Sloan — September 20, 2018 @ 12:42 PM Reply

    Swapped out edemama ..put garbozos instead pretty tasty. Thank you for recipe. Added a few peas as well.0

    • Jana @ Damn Delicious — September 20, 2018 @ 10:28 PM Reply

      Great additions!

13. Carter — May 1, 2018 @ 10:49 AM Reply

    Just made this last night for dinner! I’ve never added coconut flakes to anything before and LOVED it! Makes for good lunch leftovers. Really fun combo- thank you!

    Carter

14. Yon — July 13, 2017 @ 10:13 AM Reply

    Hi, I just had the salad for lunch and it’s pretty good. How can I reduce/remove the amount of “fat/saturated fat’? Noticed that the fat content (saturated fat too) is kind of high for a salad. Thanks.

    • Chungah — July 13, 2017 @ 4:04 PM Reply

      Unfortunately, without further recipe testing, I cannot answer with certainty. As always, please use your best judgment regarding substitutions and modifications.

15. Tina — June 27, 2017 @ 12:28 AM Reply

    This was one of the best salads I’ve ever had. Very quick and easy and also very healthy. The only change I made was using “orange” balsamic vinegar due to having it on hand. Not sure if this changed it much, but was very delicious.

16. Heather Clarke — June 25, 2017 @ 9:34 AM Reply

    This is my new favourite quinoa dish, so quick and easy, but oh so delicious!! Pretty to look at and yummy to eat.

17. Crystal — June 6, 2017 @ 7:29 PM Reply

    I have a mango allergy so I used pineapple instead and I love it! Thanks so much for sharing this copy cat recipe! Can’t wait to try another one of your recipes soon!!

18. Deviani — June 6, 2017 @ 2:17 AM Reply

    Im eagerly looking for interesting salad recipes and stumbled across your website. Made this for dinner yesterday and packed some for lunch today. Absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Forgot to add dressing today but still equally delish! Thanks for sharing and please keep such recipes coming!

19. Lynn Asher — August 14, 2016 @ 10:51 AM Reply

    I used only 2 TBL of balsamic and juice of 2 limes mixed with a little water, no zest. I also used less than a 1/4 cup onion and more edamame for more protein. Awesome

20. Val from PA — November 17, 2015 @ 7:27 AM Reply

    Chungah, this was amazing!!! We just tried the Whole Foods California Quinoa Salad recently and loved it, so I knew right away I would need a recipe for it. Yours was the first I came across and I have to tell you it is spot on perfect. Thanks so much!

21. danica — August 29, 2015 @ 2:24 PM Reply

    You should try toasting the coconut before incorporating it into the recipe, it adds a lot of flavor.

22. Jeni — August 26, 2015 @ 4:45 PM Reply

    Chungah! I love you! Everything I have made from your blog has been incredible (I was caught shame-eating the sriracha cream sauce from the teriyaki salmon straight outta the fridge last week). I’ve been shopping at whole foods since forever, but somehow managed to pass over this salad until last week. I didn’t realize when I bought it that it had the coconut and mango, so was excited to discover that… and then while browsing your site for dinners this week became even MORE excited that you had a copy cat recipe!!!!!! Quinoa is cooking as I type, super pumped to make this tonight! Thanks for sharing your talents!!

23. Susan Stone — July 5, 2015 @ 4:15 PM Reply

    I just made this and it is so good! All of the recipes that I have tried from this site have been great! I am slowly making my way through the list. Thank you! You are awesome:)

24. Katie — July 2, 2015 @ 6:42 AM Reply

    Do you use white balsamic vinegar or regular balsamic? Thanks

    See Also

    Fudge Fat Bombs | Real Balanced

    • Chungah — July 2, 2015 @ 8:00 AM Reply

      I used standard balsamic vinegar.

25. Mae — June 26, 2015 @ 2:58 AM Reply

    Quinoa is loaded with protein and fiber. I tried it before but doesn’t taste good. But your recipe looks good. I’ll probably try it! Can’t find cilantro leave: Would it be good to use parsley instead of cilantro leave?

    • Chungah — June 26, 2015 @ 7:04 AM Reply

      Yes, absolutely.

26. Cina — June 13, 2015 @ 4:20 AM Reply

    No olive oil?

    • Chungah — June 13, 2015 @ 9:17 AM Reply

      There is no olive oil in this recipe.

27. Suzanne — May 27, 2015 @ 4:10 PM Reply

    I really love salad! I want to try about quinoa salad so I took time to find some recipe. I found bunch and one of them was yours, but I want to try your recipe since I love almonds, raisins and mango and your recipe has those. I am excited to make this! 🙂

28. Melissa — May 16, 2015 @ 2:53 PM Reply

    Is the balsamic vinegar quantity accurate? I just made this and it’s way too overwhelming and tart – cannot enjoy all the lovely ingredients in the salad.

    • Chungah — May 16, 2015 @ 5:07 PM Reply

      Yes, the measurements are accurate, but please feel free to adjust the amounts as needed to suit your taste preferences. That’s the beauty of home cooking! 🙂

29. Joyce — April 13, 2015 @ 8:28 PM Reply

    I made this today and followed the recipe exactly but it was a little bitter from the zest. Maybe I put too much? I put in the zest of two whole limes. Also, it turned out really dark because of the balsamic vinegar. A lot darker than your picture. I even put in a little less than 1/4 cup.

    • Chungah — April 13, 2015 @ 8:30 PM Reply

      Joyce, how much quinoa did you use? The recipe calls for 1 cup uncooked quinoa, which should have yield about 3 cups cooked.

30. Mocha — April 1, 2015 @ 7:13 AM Reply

    Does anyone have any recipes on couscous salads. Tried it at an organic market in Point Reyes California, it was the best!!

    • Chungah — April 1, 2015 @ 10:14 AM Reply

      This is one of my favorite couscous recipes yet: https://damndelicious.net/2013/08/23/strawberry-avocado-couscous-with-lime-vinaigrette-2/.

31. Natalie @ Obsessive Cooking Disorder — October 31, 2014 @ 6:39 AM Reply

    Hey, I saw your quinoa salad and just HAD to make it. It’s been featured here –> http://www.obsessivecooking.com/2014/10/whole-foods-quinoa-salad.html

    Thanks for the delicious and healthy recipe. I devoured it and my friends all are inspired by you too 😀

32. Jessica — September 19, 2014 @ 8:42 AM Reply

    Do you mean 1 cup cooked quinoa or dried quinoa??

    • Chungah — September 19, 2014 @ 8:56 AM Reply

      Jessica, you will be starting with uncooked quinoa, and cooking it to package instructions as indicated in the first step of the recipe.

33. emily — September 7, 2014 @ 7:12 PM Reply

    Could you make this a day ahead or would it ruin the flavors some way?

    • Chungah — September 7, 2014 @ 9:42 PM Reply

      I think it should be fine – it’ll really let the flavors soak in!

    • Mimi — June 14, 2016 @ 6:14 AM Reply

      The only thing I noticed was that the raisins plumped up a bit. The flavors really melded – I made it on a Sunday and had leftovers for lunch Monday and Tuesday. I probably wouldn’t let it go three days because the mangoes may start to deteriorate.

34. Debbie Lale — September 7, 2014 @ 10:07 AM Reply

    This is the best Quinoa salad I have ever made and I have made quite a few. So many delicious ingredients that go so well together. Love it!
    Thanks for the recipe!

35. Hilary — September 1, 2014 @ 3:17 PM Reply

    So good! I omitted the bell pepper and edamame and used chopped almonds instead of sliced. I replaced the like zest with the juice of half a like. Definitely making again! I also soaked the quinoa for about 4 hours prior since it usually upsets my stomach otherwise.

36. Ste Lo — August 24, 2014 @ 10:02 PM Reply

    I love this Salad! We do not have a WF here (I live in the middle of nowhere!) so I am totally digging the copy-cat recipes. Thanks 🙂

37. Grocery Coupons — August 19, 2014 @ 10:27 AM Reply

    Yes, i must say you are perfect in your field. I really appreciate your work. I ‘ll be waiting for your next update. Keep up the good work.
    Grocery Coupons

38. Kerri — August 3, 2014 @ 6:39 PM Reply

    Made this with cous-cous instead of quinoa for some picky family members and it was a huge hit. Making it again with the quinoa for a GF friend this week.

39. Gordon — August 2, 2014 @ 10:18 AM Reply

    After bariatric surgery for weight loss, I started to build a salad from quinoa on up. It was lacking, but the significant protein in the quinoa was worth a try. This recipe fills in the gaps, holes if you will, in my recipe. Can’t wait to try it. Oh, and BTW, don’t believe it when the company says it is Pre-Washed! Wash it regardless of what they print on the package.

40. Diane — July 31, 2014 @ 5:39 AM Reply

    Gonna make mine with ORZO pasta.

41. Rene — July 11, 2014 @ 10:08 AM Reply

    Sounds delicious and can’t wait to try it. Wish we had the nutritionals, though.

    • Chungah — July 11, 2014 @ 11:01 AM Reply

      Rene, feel free to use online resources at your discretion to obtain nutritional information.

42. Ryan — July 1, 2014 @ 7:44 AM Reply

    How much lime is zest of two limes? Can you explain further?

    • Chung-Ah — July 1, 2014 @ 8:05 AM Reply

      1 lime can yield about 1-2 teaspoons of zest.

43. Shelby — June 17, 2014 @ 5:50 PM Reply

    I’m so glad you posted a recipe for this! I can’t wait to try it! 🙂

44. Gjmaki — June 14, 2014 @ 12:57 PM Reply

    I just made this for a party & it really is delicious! Thanks for sharing this recipe!

45. Meredith — June 13, 2014 @ 6:03 PM Reply

    So bright and fresh, wish I had this now!

46. Jaclyn — June 11, 2014 @ 8:54 PM Reply

    This quinoa looks awesome! Gotta try this one!

47. amanda @ fake ginger — June 10, 2014 @ 6:13 PM Reply

    Oh yum, this looks amazing! I don’t think I’ve ever seen this at my Whole Foods but now I want to go check!

48. Carol at Wild Goose Tea — June 10, 2014 @ 4:53 PM Reply

    I like the coconut mixed in. This would make a GREAT lunch for those of us who
    work most particularly——with a 10 minute prep time—hello—-awesome.

49. Amy @ Thoroughly Nourished Life — June 9, 2014 @ 8:45 PM Reply

    Yum! Perfect for a lunchbox main 🙂 I love the idea of adding coconut flakes to a quinoa salad too.

50. marcie — June 9, 2014 @ 5:09 PM Reply

    I’m hooked on so many things at Whole Foods but I haven’t gotten around to trying their version of this salad. This looks so colorful and satisfying, and that balsamic-lime dressing sounds delicious!

51. Julia | JuliasAlbum.com — June 9, 2014 @ 11:35 AM Reply

    Love quinoa salads, and your version looks so fresh and colorful – YUM! Perfect lunch!

52. Laura (Tutti Dolci) — June 8, 2014 @ 4:11 PM Reply

    I’m loving the colors and flavors of this salad, the mango is a great touch!

53. Shinee — June 8, 2014 @ 3:51 PM Reply

    This salad looks just fresh and colorful. It’s screaming my name! 🙂

54. Lynn @ The Actor’s Diet — June 8, 2014 @ 12:46 PM Reply

    It’s been a while since I’ve visited a Whole Foods Salad Bar – they do have great inspiration there!

55. Millie l Add A Little — June 8, 2014 @ 9:50 AM Reply

    Love the colourful look of this – so pretty! Looks perfect for a potluck, too 🙂
    http://youtube.com/addalittlefood

56. Jules @ WolfItDown — June 8, 2014 @ 3:32 AM Reply

    Oh my! This looks amazing, and thumbs up for adding a little extra of the tropical things, so delicious and colourful! I just wish we could get proper shelled edamame here, have only found tiny snack boxes of them or canned ones, but they’re just not the same! Will have to give this a go 🙂
    x

57. Averie @ Averie Cooks — June 7, 2014 @ 11:47 PM Reply

    Not to mention that it tastes better, you can control the exact ratios of ingredients, but hello money savings! Love WFs but not the prices of their deli stuff. You could go broke to feed a family dinner in there! Great recipe and idea!