Apple Almond Quinoa with Maple Sausage is the perfect side dish, light lunch, or dinner recipe. Packed with sweet and savory fall flavors!
New fall side dish obsession alert!
Apple Almond Quinoa with Maple Sausage is a riff on a Whole Foods hot bar side dish I spotted earlier this year that’s a cinch to whip up at home, and packed with crispy, crunchy textures and delicious flavors. No matter the time of year, this little quinoa salad will be a hit!
Whole Foods’ combination of apple, dried cranberries, almonds, quinoa, green onions, with my addition of maple sausage, is SO FALL, that I can hardly even stand it. This is the perfect light dinner paired with baked or Air Fried chicken, or scooped and served as a gorgeous, flavorful side dish.
Not only are the textures and flavors spot on, but the recipe can be made in just 30 minutes, and enjoyed warm or cold. This is a must try!
Start the Apple Almond Quinoa with Maple Sausage by simmering quinoa in chicken broth until tender, about 15 minutes.
Fluff the quinoa with a fork then scoop it into a large mixing bowl and set it aside to cool slightly.
Meanwhile, brown maple breakfast sausage (I like Johnsonville brand) in a skillet over medium heat. You could use any type of sausage, but I love the hint of maple this particular flavor adds to this fall-inspired dish.
Add the sausage to the quinoa cooling in the bowl, then add the rest of the salad ingredients:
Chopped green onions, and a chopped red apple.
Plus chopped or sliced almonds, plus dried cranberries. Dried cherries would be divine as well.
Toss everything to combine then serve — that’s it!
Whole Foods drizzled a curry-infused orange and lemon dressing on top of their quinoa salad. I actually don’t think this dish needs a dressing, but my Maple-Balsamic Vinaigrette would be an absolute dream drizzled on top if you want the dish to be a little saucy.
However you serve it, enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup quinoa, pre-rinsed
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 oz maple breakfast sausage, I like Johnsonville brand
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 1 small apple, chopped
- 1/4 cup almonds, sliced or chopped
- 2 Tablespoons dried cranberries
Directions
- Bring chicken broth to a boil in a small saucepan then add the quinoa, place a lid on top, and simmer until the liquid has been absorbed and the quinoa is tender, 12-15 minutes. Fluff the quinoa with a fork then add to a large mixing bowl to cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage then brown and drain, if necessary. Add cooked sausage, green onions, apple, almonds, and cranberries to the slightly cooled quinoa then toss to combine. Serve warm or chilled.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
How is this recipe cold? I’m sure I will have left overs as there are only 2 of the 5 of us that eat quinoa.
Wow, this salad was amazing! I’m new to your site, and so far your recipes very much suit my tastes. Delish!
This looks amazing! I am looking for a plant-based recipe to take to my meat and cheese loving family party and want to adapt this one. Since I would omit the meat, are you able to share the dressing recipe you were going to drizzle on it? I think that would add so much flavor for those who are used to a flavorful meaty dish. ;)
This looks delicious! I’m thinking of making this for Thanksgiving as an alternative to traditional stuffing, as in the past year my boyfriend discovered he has a gluten intolerance and has taken a liking to quinoa. Do you think this would hold up well if stuffed inside a turkey?
I would think so, but I’m not 100$ sure. Let us know how it turns out if you give it a go!
I just made a double batch this and then immediately made another batch to have for leftovers tomorrow since we went through it all (just 2 of us!)! It was amazing! I’ll definitely triple the recipe next time. :) SO GOOD!
OMG!! This was fantastic! My husband and our 2 year old gobbled this up! The hubs even said instead of regular turkey stuffing, we should make this. Thank you!
This is delicious! I skipped the craisins and almonds, because I was out. I cooked the green onions with the sausage and then threw it all together. Loved it.
I have been wanting to make this since you posted the recipe and finally did today. Now I’m wondering why I waited so long! OMG this is delicious! I will probably eat the whole thing today
No wonder you’re obsessed with this recipe–it was fantastic! I roasted up some chicken and apple sausages and served this (left out the sausage) and some sauteed broccoli rabe on the side. I could eat the whole bowl!