Apple Almond Quinoa with Maple Sausage is the perfect side dish, light lunch, or dinner recipe. Packed with sweet and savory fallĀ 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.
Oh wow-looks wonderful! I can’t wait to make it! I pinned it…love the photos, too.
First of all, ‘twss’! My sister and bro-in-law started to say it that way because their 3-year-old started saying ‘that’s what she said’. So this made me laugh!
Also, good call on the maple sausage.
Quinoa in your hair, huh? Yes, have to admit I’ve been there. Maybe not with quinoa but with a lot of other foods. lol! This looks amazing…
I was just introduced to quinoa tonight. We had it with green and red peppers, tomatoes, and scallions which was pretty good.. Can’t wait to try your recipe!
Best tool ever for chopping up sausage/hamburger is the Pampered Chef Mix N’s Chop…makes perfect crumbles everytime no matter what size you desire.
I have to agree with Dawn! I’ve been selling Pampered Chef for 6 years and the Mix ‘N Chop is my number one seller for this exact reason. I have two in my kitchen because they are just so handy.
Wow. I think I’d make it vegetarian using veggie sausage and broth. What a unique and tasty dish to bring to a potluck, too!
I made it last night with the Field Roast Apple Sage sausage and added a teaspoon or so of maple syrup! It was really good! You could of course use regular vegetarian breakfast sausage but I love field roast so I opted for that!
I’m still new to using quinoa without dressing or sauce…I think this sounds super fall-ish and yummy! I’ve been loving apples in my salad lately!
I made this for dinner tonight and it was AMAZING! Next time I will double the recipe. Yummy!!! Thanks for sharing. I always look forward to reading your blog. :) You do a great job! I just started the Couch to 5K today after a very long break in running.
So glad you enjoyed!!
Okay, I’m sold on this one. I’ve made an apple quinoa salad before but I love your thoughts of adding maple sausage. Looks outstanding!
This looks delicious. Adding it to our November menu plan!!
Hey there! Any suggestions on a swap out for the almonds? I’m allergic (MAY-JAH bummer), but only almonds. Is that ridiculous? But in any case, it’s true…
Chopped peanuts would be awesome too!
That looks delicious! I bet it would be equally amazing with the pomegranate arils!
Love love love your creativity. And your pics. ;)
Also… do you post recipes of the current evening’s dinner? Or do you plan your posts ahead, and share recipes on a few days’ lag? I’m just curious as far as your cooking, stylying, picturing (it’s a word), writing and posting time management. I have no idea how you can post EVERY single day and always have good content, good recipes, AND good (nay, great!) photos, etc.
Great question. Sometimes I test several recipes in one day, then post later in the week, or a week later. I also blog/freelance write/recipe develop as my full time job now, so that is what my main focus is on!