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Quinoa Bhel Salad puts a fresh spin on the popular Indian Street Food bhel puri by swapping out the traditional bhel mix for quinoa. This easy-to-make dish is practically a no-cook recipe with all those bhel puri flavors – crunchy veggies, flavorful spices, and sweet and spicy chutneys. It’s vegan, satisfying, and a delicious alternative to a street food classic.

An overhead shot of Quinoa Bhel Salad on a white plate with gold trim with a copper spoon surrounded by yellow and white flowers. The dish is garnished with cilantro, sev, and pomegrante.

One reader commented:
★★★★★
“This quinoa bhel salad is so creative and delicious. I’ve made more time than I can count, and it is always a hit. I’ve paired it with kathi rolls for dinner, shredded tandoori chicken sandwiches, and so many other options, and it goes great with so many entrees. It’s a great way to introduce our parents to a more protein-filled way to enjoy bhel.”
– Parul

What is Quinoa Bhel Salad?

If you’ve never had the Indian Street Food classic Bhel Puri, I hope you’ll try my Bhel Puri Recipe with Chana.

My Quinoa Bhel Salad is essentially quinoa mixed with all those classic bhel flavors. Don’t worry – it’s really easy to throw together, even with the few steps involved.

Start by preparing your tamarind and green chutneys (I cheat and use store-bought tamarind chutney to save time).

Next, cook your quinoa, boil a potato, dry roast the peanuts, and dice your veggies.

Just assemble, toss, and enjoy.

You’ve got to try this – it’s absolutely delicious and satisfying. Even my husband, who usually rolls his eyes at my “alternative” creations, couldn’t get enough of it. It’s definitely a recipe I’ll be making again and again!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Simple Ingredients – An easy recipe made with the simplest ingredients.
  • Hearty & Satisfying – Swapping out bhel mix for quinoa makes this dish so satisfying, you can enjoy this as a snack, side, or meal.
  • Vegan & Gluten-free – Great for those of you who have dietary restrictions.

Ingredients

Ingredients for Quinoa Bhel Salad.
  • Fire-Roasted Corn: You can find fire-roasted corn in the frozen section of your local grocery store. Rinse the corn under warm water, drain, and set aside.
  • Quinoa: I’ve shared the instructions for making Instant Pot quinoa in the instructions section below. For the stovetop version, please refer to Note 1 in the recipe card below.
  • Peanuts: Make sure you use unsalted peanuts. Dry-roast them for the best flavor.
  • Tamrind Chutney: I used store-bought Tamarind-Date chutney – I love Deep brand.

*See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.*

Let’s Make Quinoa Bhel Salad!

Prep Potato, Quinoa, Chutney & Nuts

Boil and cubed potatoes in a small bowl.
Step 1. Boil the potatoes, peel, cube, and set aside.
Cooked quinoa is ready.
Step 2. Rinse the quinoa and add it to an Instant Pot with water and salt. Cook the quinoa on High Pressure for 1 minute. Let the pressure naturally release, fluff with a fork, and your quinoa is ready.
Overhead shot of cilantro chutney in a mason jar with a spoon inside the jar. There are green chilies and fresh cilantro pieces in the background.
Step 3. Prepare the cilantro chutney – I recommend using my recipe and 2-3 green chilies.
Dry roasting peanuts in a pan for Quinoa Bhel Salad.
Step 4. In a pan, dry roast the unsalted peanuts on medium heat for 3-4 minutes at most. Once done, remove from the heat.

Assemble Quinoa Bhel Salad

A clear bowl with quinoa, tomatoes, red onions, and corn for Quinoa Bhel Salad.
Step 5. In a large bowl, add cooked quinoa, red onions, tomatoes, and fire-roasted corn that has been rinsed under warm water and drained.
A clear bowl topped with potatoes and chickpeas for Quinoa Bhel Salad.
Step 6. Add boiled potatoes and chickpeas.
A clear bowl topped with green chutney and chat masala for Quinoa Bhel Salad.
Step 7. Add tamarind and green chutneys, and chat masala.
A clear bowl with a squeeze of lemon juice for Quinoa Bhel Salad.
Step 8. Top with a squeeze of lemon juice.
A clear bowl topped with dry roasted peanuts for Quinoa Bhel Salad.
Step 9. Top with dry-roasted peanuts.
A clear bowl with mixed Quinoa Bhel Salad and a spoon.
Step 10. Mix the bhel salad well. Add a little salt if needed.
Quinoa Bhel Salad topped with fresh cilantro.
Step 11. Transfer the quinoa bhel salad to a serving dish and garnish with fresh cilantro.
Quinoa Bhel Salad garnished with fine sev, pomegranate, and red chili powder.
Step 12. Garnish with fine sev, pomegranate, and red chili powder. Enjoy.
Quinoa Bhel Salad on a serving plate with a large spoon garnished with sev, cilantro, and pomegranate.

Tried this recipe? If so, please leave a comment & rate this recipe. That would mean so much to me. If you’re on Instagram, please tag me so I can see your creations. I’m happy to share and mention you. Thank you!

This recipe was first published in April 2019 and has been updated with new photos, instructions, and helpful tips.

4.93 from 14 votes

Quinoa Bhel Salad

Quinoa Bhel Salad puts a fresh spin on the popular Indian Street Food bhel puri by swapping out the traditional bhel mix for quinoa. This easy-to-make dish has all those bhel puri flavors – crunchy veggies, flavorful spices, and sweet and spicy chutneys.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

VIDEO

INGREDIENTS 

For Green Chutney

For Quinoa (Instant Pot)

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1 1/4 cup water, See Note 1 for Stovetop
  • 1/2 tsp salt

To Assemble

  • cooked quinoa
  • 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
  • 1 cup potato, boiled & chopped
  • 1/2 cup tomato, drained & chopped
  • 1/2 cup frozen corn, rinsed with warm water & drained
  • 3 tbsp tamarind chutney
  • 3 tbsp green chutney
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tsp chat masala, I like MDH brand
  • 1/3 cup peanuts, dry roasted
  • 15 ounce can chickpeas, rinsed & drained

For Garnish

  • 1/4 thin sev
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • sprinkle pomegrante seeds
  • sprinkle red chili powder, optional for spice
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INSTRUCTIONS 

  • Prep Potato, Quinoa, Chutney & Nuts. Boil the potatoes, peel, cube, and set aside. Rinse the quinoa and add it to an Instant Pot with water and salt. Cook the quinoa on High Pressure for 1 minute. Let the pressure naturally release, fluff with a fork, and your quinoa is ready. Prepare the cilantro chutney – I recommend using my recipe and 2-3 green chilies. In a pan, dry roast the unsalted peanuts on medium heat for 3-4 minutes at most. Once done, remove from the heat.
  • Assemble Quinoa Bhel Salad. In a large bowl, add cooked quinoa, red onions, tomatoes, and fire-roasted corn that has been rinsed under warm water and drained. Add boiled potatoes and chickpeas. Then, add tamarind and green chutneys, and chat masala. Top with a squeeze of lemon juice. Add the dry-roasted peanuts.
  • Mix & Garnish. Mix the bhel salad well. Add a little salt if needed. Transfer the quinoa bhel salad to a serving dish and garnish with fresh cilantro. Garnish with fine sev, pomegranate, and red chili powder. Enjoy.

NOTES

  1. Stovetop Quinoa: To make stovetop quinoa, add 1 cup rinsed & drained quinoa to a pot with 2 cups water and salt. Cover and cook on medium heat for about 15 minutes until the quinoa is cooked. Turn off the gas and let the quinoa sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 543kcal | Carbohydrates: 86g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 342mg | Potassium: 1108mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 264IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 7mg

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer, Indian Street Food, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Tried this recipe?Mention @honeywhatscooking or tag #honeywhatscooking!
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Hi, I'm Nisha!

A foodie passionate about bringing authentic Indian recipes and global flavors to your kitchen. I create dishes using simple, real ingredients, and seasonal produce. Join me on this soul-searching journey as I share "what's cooking" through my love for good food. I hope to inspire you to cook more at home, explore new flavors, and enjoy the process along the way.


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4.93 from 14 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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16 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This quinoa bhel salad is so creative and delicious. I’ve made more time than I can count and it is always a hit. I’ve paired it with kathi rolls for dinner, shredded tandoori chicken sandwiches, and so many other options and it goes great with so many entrees. It’s a great way to introduct our parents to a healthier, more protein filled way to enjoy bhel.