Grilled Peach, Corn & Zucchini Quinoa Salad + lemon Basil Vinaigrette
This summer quinoa salad features grilled peach, corn, and zucchini, tossed with a delicious lemon basil vinaigrette. It’s a perfect lunch, dinner, or meal prep idea!
It’s been far too long since the last quinoa salad, Berry & Spinach Quinoa Salad, I added to the recipe collection. And at this moment, I am a happy camper having almost polished off this delicious bowl of goodness you see before your eyes!
This healthy grilled peach, corn, and zucchini quinoa salad is a delicious combination of flavors, and I must say they all came together to create a most wonderful and satisfying meal!
With summer produce in abundance, the price is just right for picking and I couldn’t wait to do something with peaches this year. Once grilled, they become sweet and smoky with a caramelized flavor. It’s a perfect accompaniment to the grilled corn & zucchini.
Who knew all the flavors in this quinoa salad would pair so well?!
Salad Tips
- I’ve added chickpeas for extra protein. I wasn’t sure how they would be in the salad, but I ended up loving them. I think I can eat them with just about anything but feel free to omit them if you prefer. Switch up the chickpeas and use edamame if you like.
- I love my quinoa, but you could replace it with farro or wheat berries for variety.
- Add a little chopped mint to the salad when mixing (and/or a little extra chopped basil is great, too).
How To Make Grilled Peach, Corn & Zucchini Quinoa Salad
Quinoa: Start with cooking the quinoa. Add 1 cup dried quinoa and 1 3/4 cup water to a pot, bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and let simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the cover, and let rest for 10 minutes; fluff with a fork. Results in perfect quinoa every time!
Grill: Get your grill nice and hot, whether indoors or outdoors. Grill the corn first, as it will take the longest, about 10 minutes or so depending on your grill. Then add the zucchini and peaches cut side down. The last two should grill up fairly quickly, about 3 – 5 minutes. I leave mine al dente.
Dressing: The lemon-basil vinaigrette couldn’t be easier to make.
It’s a small portion so I’m hoping you already have a small personal blender. Something like the Nutri-Bullet (<affiliate link) works perfectly here. If not, you can simply mix all the ingredients together in a small jar. It won’t be as blended and creamy but it will still be great! Both ways are incredibly easy and can be made a day or two ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator if needed.
If you don’t care to use as much oil, use extra lemon or vinegar. Alternately, squeeze a couple of lemons over top of the salad and have it that way; just be sure to add chopped basil (or mint, as suggested above).
Assemble: Once everything is ready, add everything to a mixing bowl, pour the dressing overtop, mix, and enjoy as is or with a little arugula mixed in!
I hope you LOVE this quinoa salad as much as I do! It’s a healthy summer salad that’s perfect for potlucks and parties. It’s a true crowd-pleasing salad using the wonderful produce of summer!
More Quinoa Salad Recipes!
- Orange, Cranberry & Mint Quinoa Salad
- Berry + Spinach Quinoa Salad
- Lemon Chickpea & Quinoa Salad
- Cherry, Pistachio & Mint Quinoa Salad
- Apple Harvest Quinoa Salad
If you try this summer quinoa salad recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think or any changes you make.
PrintGRILLED PEACH, CORN & ZUCCHINI QUINOA SALAD + LEMON-BASIL VINAIGRETTE
If you’ve never grilled peaches before this is a perfect recipe to get you started. Get out your grill and give it a go. I know you’re going to love this!
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4 – 6 1x
- Category: Entree, Salad
- Method: grill, simmer
- Cuisine: Vegan, Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried quinoa
- 1 3/4 cups water or vegetable broth
- 2 peaches (ripe but firm)
- 2 corn on the cob
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas or 1 1/2 cup cooked, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 avocado
- small handful pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- mineral salt & fresh cracked pepper, to taste
- handful or two of baby arugula, to serve (optional)
Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette
- 1/4 – 1/3 cup packed basil leaves
- 3 – 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 medium lemon)
- 2 – 3 teaspoons apple cider vinegar (wine, rice, sherry, or white balsamic ok too)
- 1 small clove garlic, chopped
- pinch of red pepper flakes
- good pinch of mineral salt
Instructions
Quinoa: In a medium saucepan, add quinoa and water/vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Once done, remove lid and let rest for 10 minutes, fluff with fork.
Vinaigrette: Add all the ingredients to a small/personal food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Alternately, you can chop the basil really well and mince the garlic, then simply mix all the ingredients together in a small container – or add the basil to the salad and mix the remaining vinaigrette ingredients together. Set aside to let the flavors come together. Taste again before mixing to adjust flavor. Keep in the refrigerator if making a day or two in advance.
Prep: If corn has husks, either remove them or pull away and tie (as in the pics above), and remove all the silk threads from underneath. Cut peaches along the seam all the way around and twist halves off the pit. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. If you like add a light of oil to the cut side of the peaches and zucchini before placing on the grill, I didn’t do this since I oiled the grill directly.
Grill: Prep your grill and add a light coat of oil. Start with the corn first, it will take the longest, about 10 minutes or so depending on your grill. Then add the zucchini and peaches cut side down. The last two should grill up fairly quickly, about 3 – 5 minutes. I leave mine al dente.
Shuck & slice: Once done, remove the corn off the cob. Using a large, shallow, rimmed baking dish or pie dish, hold the corn by its top horizontally in the center, use a knife to gently but firmly cut the corn from the cob from top to bottom. Give the corn a 90 turn and repeat, until all the corn is removed. Slice zucchini into 1/4 – 1/2 inch slices. Slice peaches into 1/8 – 1/4 inch slices. Slice tomatoes in half. Slice avocado in half, twist to separate halves, remove seed and slice thinly.
Combine: Add quinoa to a large mixing bowl, along with the peaches, corn, zucchini, tomatoes, chickpeas, avocado and pepitas, toss to combine. Add the dressing and mix again. Add mineral salt & fresh cracked pepper to taste.
Serve at room temperature or chilled. Enjoy as is or with a handful of arugula (this is especially good!).
Serves 4 generously
Store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 5 days.
Notes
Change up the chickpeas with edamame.
Make this oil-free by simply squeezing a lemon or two over top the salad, just be sure to add plenty of chopped basil. A little mint would be great too.
Use farro or wheat berries in place of quinoa for variety.
I wanted to add sliced, or diced, red onion and forgot, feel free to add in about 1/2 red onion.
FOLLOW TSV on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or RSS for more updates and inspiration!
Used my broiler, worked like a charm (but took twice as long). This was very fresh and delicious. Very easy to modify and adjust as you see fit. As others noted, dressing was perfect! I used shallots sliced Thinly in salad and pulsed some in dressing. Used navy beans instead of chickpeas. Drizzled balsamic glaze over top. Great recipe to enjoy summer fruits and vegetables – thank you!
Hi! I was just making a simple greens + blueberries side salad and I used your lemon basil vinaigrette. I’m a huge sucker for basil so maybe I’m biased, but I absolutely LOVED this vinaigrette (and I’m so picky about salad dressings). I told my boyfriend this was going to become a regular in our household. :) Best vinaigrette ever.
Maybe I’ll be able to make the full recipe once I have access to a grill (dang NYC kitchen life).
Oh my goodness oh my GOODNESS this sounds AMAZING. I need to make this like TOMORROW. Thank you thank you thank you
Great recipe. Next time we might roast the chickpeas so there is some crunch. Vinaigrette is really really good
sounds great!, I love all the ingredients including onions, I will make it for sure! thanks.
I’m completely loving this perfect combination for a salad! The grilled peaches sound amazing and the photos are gorge!!!!
I never tried out grilled peaches. I often make grilled Avocado because I have a cast-iron grill pan. This Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette sounds so wonderful. xoxo Janine
This looks delicious! I love peaches so I’m definitely going to have to try this.