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Grilled Jalapeño Peach Quinoa Salad – summer peaches, corn, and tomatoes tossed together with quinoa, avocado, and spicy/sweet candied jalapeños. Add a yummy herb dressing and lots of crumbled feta for a colorful salad that’s anything but boring. It’s the combination of grilled and raw corn, sweet, juicy peaches, and herb-based dressing. They’re a unique, flavorful, and hard-to-beat combo. A beyond delicious summer salad.
I know a salad might not seem all that exciting, but I promise you this salad really is worth it. It’s a little different, maybe even slightly “retro” with its highlight of quinoa (I feel like quinoa had its moment back in 2012). But it’s all things, “holy freaking YUM”.
Originally, I wanted to recreate a BBQ grilled corn quinoa salad that I made all the way back in 2012. It’s funny, when I look back at those old, old recipes I think one of two things. One, “wow this recipe is very long and a little odd. I wonder if anyone ever made this?”. And two, “wow, this recipe honestly sounds pretty good, I should make this again”.
Most of the recipes from that first year are tasty but way too involved for every day. So glad I learned to adapt to creating quick and simpler recipes! But some of the recipes still sound totally yummy. Sometimes when I’m stuck on ideas, I pull out those old gems and recreate them.
Which is just what I did here, only this salad is totally different. But the inspo was there!
Making this is easy – here are details
First things first, if you don’t have any leftover quinoa in the fridge, cook up the quinoa according to package directions. I bring 2 cups of water to a boil, add 1 cup of dry quinoa, cover, and simmer over the lowest heat possible for 25-30 minutes. Just like I cook rice. It’s super easy.
Now move on to the dressing.
It’s a lot of ingredients, but mostly herbs and seasonings you hopefully have on hand. Olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, spicy or regular honey, lots of fresh cilantro, basil, chives, shallots, garlic, and then salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
I’m currently obsessed with herbs since we have an abundance of them growing, especially basil and chives.
The dressing is very herby with a sweet-spicy kick from the honey and chili flakes. It’s truly DELICIOUS.
The salad
Combine the cooked quinoa with Tajin or chili powder. If you’re using chili powder in place of the Tajin, I recommend adding a dash of smoky paprika too.
Then, toss in everything else. The dressing, a mix of grilled and raw corn, fresh peaches, tomatoes, avocado, and crumbled feta cheese.
If you’re serving this later, add the avocado just before serving!
Looking for other salad recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Summer Chicken Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing
Pesto Chicken and Avocado Bacon Salad Wraps
Lastly, if you make this Grilled Jalapeño Peach Quinoa Salad, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Grilled Jalapeño Peach Quinoa Salad
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 751 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons spicy or regular honey
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chives, chopped
- 1 small shallot, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- kosher salt and black pepper
- chili flakes
Salad
- 3 cups cooked quinoa
- 1-2 tablespoons Tajin or chili powder
- 2 ears grilled or roasted corn, kernels cut off the cob
- 2 ears raw corn, kernels cut off the cob
- 1-2 peaches, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1-2 avocados, chopped
- 2 tablespoons candied or pickled jalapeños
- 6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- 1. To make the dressing. Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Pulse until well combined. Season with salt and pepper. 2. In a large salad bowl, toss together the quinoa with the Tajin. Add the grilled corn, raw corn, peaches, tomatoes, avocado, jalapeños, and feta cheese. 3. Pour over the dressing and toss well. Enjoy warm or chilled. I like to add wraps or crackers for scooping. DELICIOUS.
Candied Jalapeños
- 1. Bring 1/3 cup honey to a gentle boil. Simmer over low for 3-5 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, arrange 2-3 sliced jalapeños in a glass jar. Pour the honey over the jalapeños. Add 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and a pinch of salt. Let cool. Keep stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Yum!!! Made this salad twice and going for a third this weekend. The second time I ran out of peaches so used nectarines.. the dressing is a amazing. The candied jalapeños are a nice touch. Serious deliciousness!
Hey Laura,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner and really appreciate you making it:) xTieghan
Absolutely amazing!! So many flavors that blend together perfectly. Thank you!
Hey Tanya,
So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed! Thanks so much for making it:) xTieghan
This was so delicious, I followed the recipe to a tee except I added a little extra honey to make the sauce a tad more sweet. This one is a keeper for sure!
Hey Leesha,
I really appreciate you giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Hope you’re having a great Wednesday! xT
Easy quick and delicious!!! And healthy to boot!
Hey Ariana,
Thanks a lot for trying this recipe out and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
This is so delicious! Shared the recipe with my “Plant Strong” healthy eating class.
Used the pickled jalapenos rather than candied, for fewer calories. Yum!
Hey Valerie,
Happy Friday!!? Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your review, I am so glad it was a hit! xT
Made this as my meal prep for work and its so delicious and perfect. I added jalapeno chicken sausage which added a great spicy, savory flavor. The tajin to the quinoa added a perfect salty, spicy flavor. This will be a staple in the meal prep! SO GOOD!
Hey Lauren,
Love to hear that you enjoyed this salad! What a great idea to add the chicken sausage:) Have a great Thursday! xTieghan
I made this for dinner the other night and it was FANTASTIC!!! I made my own Tajin seasoning- was delicious. I even forgot the feta and it was still perfect! I had leftovers today for lunch- added more peaches and dressing- AND the feta this time-!!!! Loved it!!!
Hey Marcy,
Wonderful!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I am so glad it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Do you have any recommendations for a corn alternative? Thank you! Love your recipes!
Hey Rachel,
Zucchini would also be delicious! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Suggestions for a cheese other than feta?
Hi Jill,
You can really use any cheese you like, blue cheese or goat cheese would also be great! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Omg, this is so delicious. Sweet and spicy, a definite keeper.
Hey Erin,
Amazing! Thanks for sharing your feedback and making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed:)
this is one of the best salads I’ve ever made…I would eat this over and over and I will share it with everyone I know
Hi Cat,
Thank you so much for your kind message and making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
Made this today and loved it…all those flavors…so yummy. Another winner!
Hi Lora,
Awesome!! I am so glad this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for trying it out! xx
This salad is going on my “I could eat this every day!” list! It is so delicious…fantastic flavor profile! I added a little “California Chicken” on top, and served with a nice cold Sauvignon Blanc, and it made for a sensational dinner on the deck last night with neighbors.
Hey Susan,
Happy Wednesday!? Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was a tasty one! xxT
I just made this recipe for lunch today and it was a 10/10. Loved the combination and my husband really enjoyed it.
Hi Susana,
Happy Wednesday!? Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was a tasty one! xxT
We eat HBH recipes an average of 2-3 times a week and this is one of our favorites of all time. Highly recommend!
Hey Renee,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making so many recipes, I am so glad this one was enjoyed as well:) xTieghan