Holistic Gut Health, Hormone Balance & Nourishing Recipes

Cranberry & Apple Quinoa Salad

This Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad is a vibrant side that’s light, fiber-rich, and gut-friendly. Sweet cranberries and crisp apples meet fluffy quinoa, toasted nuts, and aromatic herbs for a colorful dish that you wont be able to stop eating. Perfect served warm or at room temperature, it’s a crowd-pleasing, nourishing addition to any table.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Calories: 220

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa rinsed
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1 medium apple diced
• 1 small onion chopped
• 2 stalks celery chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 cup toasted walnuts
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
• 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 tsp fresh rosemary minced
• 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt + pepper to taste

Method

 

1. Prep cranberries: Soak dried cranberries in a splash of warm water or broth for 5 minutes to plump. Drain.
2. Sauté veggies: In the claypot, sauté onion, celery, garlic, and half the rosemary in olive oil for 3–4 minutes until soft.
3. Add fruit: Stir in diced apple and cranberries, sauté 2–3 minutes.
4. Cook quinoa: Add quinoa and pour in 2 cups vegetable broth. Cook in claypot on Brown Rice mode for 20 minutes until quinoa is fluffy. Add a splash more broth if needed.
5. Finish salad: Fluff quinoa with a fork. Stir in parsley, thyme, remaining rosemary, and toasted walnuts. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve: Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Additional Cooking Tips

• Toast walnuts lightly to enhance flavor and crunch.
• Adjust broth quantity slightly if you prefer a moister salad.
• Can be made ahead and gently reheated. Quinoa holds texture well.
• For extra flavor, a squeeze of fresh lemon before serving brightens the dish.

Macro	Per Serving
Calories	220 kcal
Protein	6 g
Fat	10 g
Carbs	28 g
Fiber	5 g

Gut Health Tips

• Quinoa is a gluten-free, fiber-rich grain that supports digestion.
• Apples & cranberries are prebiotic-rich, feeding beneficial gut bacteria.
• Walnuts provide healthy fats and fiber, slowing digestion and stabilizing blood sugar.
• Garlic & herbs like thyme and rosemary are anti-inflammatory and promote gut-friendly digestion.
• Serve warm or slightly cooled for optimal gut comfort.

This recipe was cooked start-to-finish in the Magnifique Claypot MultiCooker, one of my favorite tools for quick, healthy meals. Made with kaolin clay, which distributes heat evenly and naturally retains warmth. OmniHeat technology ensures precise temperature control across the pot. 8 preset cooking modes handle everything from roasting to sautéing to slow cooking. Non-toxic and free of PFAS and heavy metals, making it safe for daily cooking. Energy-efficient, using up to 70% less energy than a traditional slow cooker. Versatile for grains, vegetables, proteins, and one-pot meals, making cleanup effortless.

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