Spiced Haroset Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate and Nuts

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant, Passover-friendly quinoa salad inspired by traditional haroset, combining sweet apples, crunchy nuts, and tangy pomegranate seeds tossed with warm spices. This mediterranean-inspired passover ready in about 30 minutes pairs quinoa, water, apple for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup uncooked quinoa thoroughly under cold water. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add the quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let cool.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa with 1 large peeled and diced apple, 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds, and 1/3 cup toasted and chopped walnuts.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss gently to coat evenly. Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Haroset Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate and Nuts take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Spiced Haroset Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate and Nuts?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep quinoa from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Haroset Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate and Nuts?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Spiced Haroset Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate and Nuts for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Spiced Haroset Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate and Nuts?

Mediterranean passover like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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