Easy WW Quinoa Salad Recipe: 3 SmartPoints

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Last updated on March 8th, 2024

This easy Weight Watchers Quinoa Salad recipe is made with diced zucchini, corn kernels and a deliciously tasty, fresh honey lemon butter!

And with only 3 WW SmartPoints per serving, you’re doing yourself a disservice by not trying it!

Delicious Quinoa Salad Recipe

First of all, what does quinoa taste like?

What Does Quinoa Taste Like?

Quinoa tastes very similar to rice, which is why I love it so much!

I could eat rice every day, but I try to limit it because most varieties have levels of arsenic in them.

To me, quinoa tastes like a nuttier, crunchier version of brown rice. Mmmm!

And the bonus is that it’s more filling than rice.

Rice vs Quinoa Nutritional Information

In a comparison of one cup of rice vs. one cup of quinoa:

  • Calories: Quinoa = 222, Rice = 193
  • Total Fat: Quinoa = 4g, Rice = 1g
  • Sodium: Quinoa = 13mg, Rice = 7mg
  • Carbs: Quinoa = 39g, Rice = 44g
  • Fiber: Quinoa = 5g, Rice = 1g
  • Protein: Quinoa = 8g, Rice = 4g

As you can see, quinoa has 29 more calories, 3 more grams of fat, & 6 more mg of sodium.

BUT it also has 4 more grams of fiber and twice as much protein as rice!

Fiber and protein are 2 important ingredients for digestion and muscle building.

According to this Healthline article, quinoa is a complete protein, high in fiber, and high in minerals, such as iron, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, & zinc.

Unlike rice, quinoa is not a grain.

Although, it is eaten in recipes as a substitute for grains, quinoa is a seed derived from the chenopodium quinoa plant, a relative to spinach and chard.

Who knew?

Recipe Ingredients

So, with this quick little lesson on quinoa, here is our recipe for Quinoa Salad Recipe:

Weight Watchers Quinoa Salad

The above picture of the WW Quinoa Salad is the entire recipe.

Obviously, this recipe is used as a side dish.

However, you can really beef it up and add a protein like chicken or tofu to make it a main meal.

I happened to make it during the day for blogging purposes and ate it as a main dish for my lunch.

Although I probably could have eaten the entire bowl in one sitting, I restrained.

It is absolutely delicious and so tasty!

The zucchini actually almost tastes fruity because of the lemon and honey.

And the garlic and scallions add to the hearty component of this delicious side dish.

Quinoa Salad 3 Weight Watchers SmartPoints

I just can’t get enough of quinoa these days.

Needless to say, I can’t wait to go to the kitchen and heat me up some leftovers!

That’s the best part about posting these recipes.

I get to eat them too.

So, if you haven’t tried quinoa yet, I really encourage you to try it.

Quinoa Salad Recipe

What to serve with scallops

Quinoa Salad Recipe – 3 WW SmartPoints

Housewives of Frederick County
This Quinoa Salad recipe is way better for you than a rice or pasta salad and has a buttery, lemony, slightly sweet side taste.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 110 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup Quinoa, uncooked
  • 2 Zucchini, medium, diced
  • 4 Scallions, diced (I used more because I love scallions)
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 1 cup Corn, canned or frozen (defrosted if frozen/drained if canned)
  • 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • 1 tbsp Honey
  • Salt & Black Pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Cook quinoa according to package directions. Once quinoa has been cooked, place in a large bowl and set aside.
  • Place a medium sized skillet over medium high heat, melt butter in it, and then add in zucchini and garlic. Cook until zucchini is tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Then add in corn and honey and cook until heated through.
  • Add the corn and zucchini to the quinoa, along with the scallions and lemon juice and toss to combine.
  • Season with salt & pepper.
  • Chill in the refrigerator and serve cold.

Notes

3 WW SmartPoints
Serving Size: About 3/4 cup
Keyword quinoa, quinoa recipe, quinoa salad, side dish, weight watchers recipe, weight watchers salad, weight watchers salad recipe, ww, ww recipe, ww salad recipe

For more delicious salads, click on over to:

Asian Ramen Noodle Salad with Chicken: WW SmartPoints

Green Bean Salad Recipe: 3 WW SmartPoints

Healthy Chickpea Salad: WW SmartPoints

Delicious Quinoa Salad Recipe: 3 Weight Watchers SmartPoints
Pam
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7 thoughts on “Easy WW Quinoa Salad Recipe: 3 SmartPoints”

  1. Pingback: What To Serve With Scallops: 22 Perfect Side Dish Recipes - Housewives of Frederick County

    • Hi Erin, Thanks for catching that! It’s 2 tablespoons of butter. I’ve added it to the recipe.
      Thanks!
      Pam

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