Texan Smokehouse 'Best' Grain Salad with Smoked Almonds

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty grain salad featuring toasted quinoa, smoky almonds, and a tangy maple-mustard dressing, inspired by smokehouse flavors. This vegetarian-inspired salads ready in about 25 minutes pairs rinsed quinoa, vegetable broth, sliced almonds into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. 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.

★ 4.3 (8 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 6 Vegetarian cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring quinoa and vegetable broth to a simmer in a saucepan. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
  2. Step 2: Toast almonds with 1/2 tsp smoked paprika in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring constantly.
  3. Step 3: Whisk apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and 1 tbsp olive oil to make dressing.
  4. Step 4: In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, toasted almonds, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Drizzle with dressing and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Texan Smokehouse 'Best' Grain Salad with Smoked Almonds take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Texan Smokehouse 'Best' Grain Salad with Smoked Almonds?

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 rinsed quinoa from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Texan Smokehouse 'Best' Grain Salad with Smoked Almonds?

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 Texan Smokehouse 'Best' Grain Salad with Smoked Almonds for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Texan Smokehouse 'Best' Grain Salad with Smoked Almonds?

Vegetarian salads 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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