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.
First time I’ve tried quinoa (I’ve been wanting to try it FOREVER). Anyway, this recipe is amazing, I should have made a double batch! I subbed apple chicken sausage for the maple which was awesome. Super healthy too. :)
OH MY! This was delicious. My 4yo loved it too! I used the Al Fresca Apple Maple breakfast sausage links. It was soooo good. THank you!
So glad you guys enjoyed!
I’ve made quinoa a few times as stated in recipes, but it has turned out mushy instead of fluffy like it looks in your pictures. Any tips would be much appreciated! Thanks!
Make sure you drain the quinoa really well after rinsing, then try cooking it in 1/3 cup less liquid. Let me know if that does the trick!
I’m making this for lunch this afternoon with maple apple chicken sausage! I absolutely LOVE your blog. So many great recipes, and everything I’ve made so far has been husband-approved ;-)
Making this tonight! As per usual I’m always missing just one of your ingredients but feel like raisins will be a fine substitution. I’m still eating Miss Luann’s Kale salad weekly!!!!
This looks so delicious. Thank you for posting such great quinoa recipes. Before I tried your recipes, quinoa was something I really, really wanted to like, but didn’t. Not at all. Now I have my daughter eating it too. Keep the recipes coming!
I just made this for my coworkers. I wanted something less messy, so I tried adapting to make them ‘bites’ by baking in mini-muffin tins (with a little egg, flour, and parmesean cheese for binders). It didn’t quite work as planned, but the staff agreed with the crispy little punches from the muffin tins and warm this would make a great Thanksgiving stuffing dish!!
Love this recipe! Will be linking back to this in my upcoming post :)
I am cooking this up tonight. I can’t wait to try it!
I have tried every quinoa recipe of yours and they are all amazing! So no doubt this will be top notch as well.
Mmm I love fall recipes like this – can’t wait to make it! And I was just thinking how I never feel more like a “fat kid” than when I find food where it doesn’t belong, like my hair, neck, bed, etc.
Looks like an absolutely fabulous meal. I love the addition of the sausage – sounds like this dish has staying power!
made this this morning! One of my all time favorite recipes!! Simple, fast, healthy and delicious… what more can a girl ask for!