I first discovered Costco’s famous Quinoa Salad during a summer potluck a few years ago. Standing in the blazing heat with a paper plate, I skeptically eyed the colorful grain salad my friend had brought. “Just try it,” she insisted. “I grab one every time I’m at Costco.” That first forkful was a revelation – nutty grains, crisp vegetables, and a zingy dressing that made “health food” taste indulgent, it was a refreshing summer salad. I’ve been hooked ever since.
Whether you’re a fan of Costco’s version or looking for a new healthy option, this refreshing salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, and backyard BBQs. You don’t need a Costco membership to enjoy it – just 20 minutes and a handful of fresh ingredients!
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
This salad succeeds by balancing different textures and flavors – the earthiness of quinoa and lentils, the freshness of vegetables, and the bright acidity of the lemon dressing. Combining three different grains provides varied textures, while the fresh vegetables and fresh herbs add crunch and color. The cumin in the dressing ties everything together with a subtle warmth that complements the earthy grains.
Additionally, this salad is highly customizable – you can adjust ingredients to your taste preferences while still maintaining the essence of the original Costco favorite.
Ingredients
For the Lemon Dressing
- Fresh lemon juice – Provides bright acidity and citrus flavor
- Kosher salt – Enhances all flavors in the salad
- Freshly ground black pepper – Adds subtle heat and depth
- Ground cumin – Contributes warm, earthy notes
- Apple cider vinegar – Adds tangy complexity to the dressing
- Vegetable oil – Creates the base for the dressing
For the Salad
- Red lentils – Adds protein and earthy flavor
- Roma tomatoes – Add juicy freshness and vibrant color
- Cucumber – Provides refreshing crunch and coolness
- Red bell pepper – Delivers sweet crunch and bright color
- Kale – Contributes hearty texture and nutritional value
- Cilantro – Adds fresh, aromatic notes
- Tricolor quinoa – Forms the protein-rich foundation
- Brown rice – Provides chewy texture and nutty flavor
How to Make Costco Quinoa Salad
Here are the steps for preparing this copycat Costco quinoa salad recipe.
To prepare the dressing:
- Combine the fresh lemon juice, Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, ground cumin, and apple cider vinegar in a mixing bowl.
- Slowly drizzle in the vegetable oil as you whisk vigorously.
- Dress the salad or transfer the dressing to an airtight container and put it in the fridge. Whisk well before using.
To prepare the Quinoa Costco Salad:
- Peel the cucumber and remove the seeds from the cucumber and tomatoes.
- Dice the tomatoes, cucumbers, red pepper, kale, and cilantro into small pieces.
- Add the cooked tricolored quinoa, brown rice, and red lentils to the chopped vegetables.
- Use two serving forks to toss well.
- Cover the salad and put it in the refrigerator, or add to the dressing and serve.
What to Serve This With
Since this is a light, very flavorful salad, it goes well with summery dishes like grilled chicken or fish. You can also serve it with steak to bring extra acidity and help balance the meat’s richness.
To keep it vegan, serve the salad with roasted root veggies to bring out the dish’s earthiness, or add richness by topping it with sliced avocado.
Costco Quinoa Salad Copycat – Fresh & Healthy Homemade
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Salad
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- 1 cup chopped Roma tomatoes
- 1 medium cucumber seeded and chopped
- 1 cup finely chopped kale
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 cups cooked tricolor quinoa
- 1 cup cooked brown rice I love Success Brown Rice Boil in the bag
- 1 cup cooked red lentils
Instructions
- Combine all the dressing ingredients and mix well.
- In a large bowl, combine the red bell pepper, tomatoes, cucumber, kale, and cilantro and toss to combine.
- Pour the dressing over vegetables. Then add the quinoa, brown rice, and red lentils and mix well.
Nutrition
Storage Instructions
How to Store
Store the prepared salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For best results, keep the dressing separate until ready to serve. If already dressed, toss well before serving.
How Long Does It Last
The undressed salad will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days, but for optimal freshness and texture, it is best consumed within 24 hours of making it. Once dressed, try to consume it within 1-2 days.
Freezing Guide
- Freezing the complete salad is not recommended as it will significantly change the texture of the vegetables. However, to make preparation faster in the future, you can:
- Add fresh vegetables and dressing just before serving
- Cook and freeze the quinoa, brown rice, and lentils in separate containers
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before assembling the salad
Costco Quinoa Salad FAQ
Since the quinoa salad from Costco contains primarily vegetables, seeds, whole grains, and legumes, it is lower in fat than a salad that includes animal products. Although the dish doesn’t contain a lot of calories, most of them come from carbohydrates and fat, not protein.Â
Freezing Quinoa Salad from Costco is not recommended because it will change the texture. But to make preparation faster, you can freeze the cooked quinoa, rice, and lentils in separate containers and thaw them overnight in the fridge the day before preparing the salad.Â
Yes. There are no animal products in this dish.Â
Since the Quinoa Salad Costco sells doesn’t contain wheat, barley, or rye, it is naturally gluten-free
Favorite Salad Recipes
- Broccoli Pasta Salad
- Brussel Sprout and Kale Salad
- Copper Penny Salad
- Cucumber and Onion Salad
- Dill Red Potato Salad
- Grape Salad
- Macaroni Salad
- Olivier Salad
- Sauerkraut Salad
- Thai Noodle Salad
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