Quinoa, brown rice and peach salad is a delicious whole grain salad with sweet peaches and crunchy pecans. This salad is a perfect side dish or a main dish for lunch.
It packs perfectly into your lunch box and travels well for picnics.
Why make this salad
This salad is a perfect way to use up leftover quinoa and rice. However, I've also cooked up quinoa and rice just for the purpose of making this salad. Either way it's a delicious salad.
The peaches add a bit of sweetness and the pecans add extra crunch. The dressing is simple - just a squeeze of fresh orange juice, white wine vinegar, a touch of honey and a few seasonings.
I am really into salads right now and especially salads with whole grains. This salad is delicious and it travels really well. I love packing it in my lunch box or taking it on a picnic.
It's also a perfect potluck salad because it covers so many basis - it's gluten free and vegetarian and it doesn't have to be kept cold. It's okay if this salad sits out on a buffet table even during the middle of summer.
Key ingredients
- Brown rice - cooked and cooled
- Quinoa - cooked and cooled
- Fresh peaches
- Pecans - chopped
Variations
I used white quinoa and brown rice and pecans in this salad, but there are a lot of variations you could make too. Try using -
- Red quinoa
- Wild rice
- White rice
- Orzo pasta
- Nectarines instead of peaches
- Walnuts or almonds
- Red onions or shallots instead of green onions
Additional Add-ins
Looking to add some additional ingredients to this salad? Try some of these:
- Black beans
- Frozen peas, thawed
- Chopped, cooked chicken
- Leftover grilled salmon
Recipe Faqs
This salad will last for up to 3 days if covered and refrigerated. If making ahead of time, add the pecans just before serving. This helps keep the pecans crunchy.
When peaches are in season, use fresh peaches. You don't need to peel them, just chop them up into a fine dice and add to the salad.
Frozen peaches also work in this recipe. Make certain your peaches are not sweetened. Allow peaches to thaw, then chop and add to salad.
More delicious salads to try
- Quinoa Farro Salad
- Oriental Chicken Salad
- Quinoa Salad
- Greek Salad
- Asparagus Pasta Salad
- Asian Cucumber Salad
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Are you loving this salad? Then you'll want to check out all my recipes in this category - Salad Recipes
Quinoa, Brown Rice and Peach Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 cups Cooked quinoa
- 2 cups Cooked brown rice
- 1 cup Fresh peach (chopped)
- ½ cup Chopped pecans
- 6 Green onions (chopped)
Dressing
- ⅓ cup Orange juice (fresh squeezed, if possible)
- 2 Tablespoons White wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Honey
- ¼ teaspoon Red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
Salad
- Place quinoa, rice, chopped peaches, pecans and green onions in a bowl.
- Stir lightly to mix ingredients.
Dressing
- In a separate bowl, combine orange juice, vinegar, honey, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper.
- Pour dressing over rice mixture. Stir
- Top with additional sliced green onions for garnish
Video
Notes
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in July of 2017. The photos, recipe and post have all been updated.
David @ Spiced says
What a fun recipe idea, Kathy! I love peaches, and we often have leftover rice. I love fresh peaches, and I'm eagerly awaiting Southern peaches to arrive in the stores here. I'm totally going to have to try this salad idea for lunches. I'm all about textures in my salads, and this recipe has it all!
Alex says
I love quinoa! It works a treat in salads, and goes so well with fruit. Peach is a delicious idea. A great side dish for the warm weather!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I love sweet and savoury combos so this salad sounds absolutely delicious! And what a great one for meal prep for easy weekday lunches! Pinned 🙂
Fred G says
Three great ingredients for a wonderful salad
Pamela (BrooklynFarmGirl) says
This salad looks super good and super tasty! 🙂
Ashley@CookNourishBliss says
Yesss to all things peach! They have been so good by us lately and I can't get enough! This salad sounds perfect for quick lunches!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
Um yum! I've been adding peaches to everything lately and I can only imagine how good they must be thrown into this brown rice and quinoa salad.
Kathy says
There's nothing better than a fresh peach!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
I like the idea of having something ready for lunch! And if it is this yummy, all the better. Nutritious and appetizing, I would definitely go for it for my lunch option.
Kathy says
It makes a great lunch or even a light dinner!
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
I definitely love snacking, and I also love peach recipes. But I have never tried them with quinoa. And your salad looks so refreshing and delicious, Kathy.
Kathy says
There's nothing better than using and eating fresh peaches!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I really love to eat smaller meals throughout the day rather than bigger meals. This salad is definitely something that I would love for lunch! It has so many delicious flavours with the pecans and peaches - nice savoury/sweet combo which is my fave 🙂 !!
Kathy says
If I could just stick to smaller meals and no snacking! 😉
mira says
I love snacking and I also love healthy salads like this one! Looks amazing! Dre dressing is delicious. Need to try this rice blend!
Kathy says
This salad is super delicious!
stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
I can't decide what part I like most, the salad with those beautiful peaches or the dressing!! I guess that why you put them together 😉 . Great salad! Take care.
Kathy says
You are so right! They are a great combination together!
David @ Spiced says
You had me at the mention of peaches! And then you throw in the pecans, and this totally reminds me of something my grandfather would have made. (He had pecan trees growing in the backyard, and fresh SC peaches were never far away either.) I am totally going to have to make this one for lunch. Using Minute Rice is a great way to make this one doable for a quick and tasty lunch, too! 🙂
Kathy says
I would love to have a pecan tree...and a peach tree! Maybe I need to move to the south! 🙂
David @ Spiced says
Actually, we just need to be friends. 🙂 As in, can you move in down the street...and bring your peach and pecan tree with you??
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Sounds like an amazing combination of ingredients Kathy! Can't wait to give this recipe a try!
Kathy says
Thanks, Mary Ann! It's quickly becoming my new favorite lunch!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I have a problem with snacking, too! But to curb it, I tend to eat 5 small meals (or snacks) vs. 3 large meals. Quinoa is so delicious and filling, I love adding it to my salads for a little more heft! Naturally I am looooving this salad! It is so perfect for summer! I haven't tried Minute ready quinoa yet, so I need to get on that! Cheers, friend!
Kathy says
You need to give it a try. It's great for eating just on it's own or in this delicious salad!