Quinoa Bhel Salad is a healthier twist on bhel puri made with veggies, spices, and chutneys.
It's no surprise that I love bhel, and so I was thinking of some healthy alternatives to add in all that bhel flavor without the fried stuff. Enter, quinoa!
Quinoa is gluten-free, high in fiber, a good source of protein, and contains 9 essential amino acids. It's especially a great choice among vegetarians.
What is Quinoa Bhel?
Quinoa Bhel is essentially quinoa tossed with all the classic bhel flavorings. This bhel is super easy to make, but there are a few steps.
You want to begin by making red and green chutneys. For tamarind chutney, I just use store-bought.
Then make the quinoa, toast the quinoa which is optional, chop all the veggies, boil the potato, and assemble. It's actually quite simple to make.
Hope you guys try this cause it's really good. Even my hubby who complains about my food being too healthy at times, LOVED this. It's a keeper!
Why You'll Love Quinoa Bhel
- A healthier alternative to Bhel Puri
- Bursting with Flavor
- Satisfying & Delicious
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Makes a great salad
- Ideal for Meal Prepping
How to make Quinoa Bhel Salad recipe?
1. Start by making the red chutney. Add all the red chutney ingredients to a coffee grinder. Blend. This should be the consistency. Note: Red Chutney is optional.
2. Make green chutney. You may need to add the cilantro a little bit at a time.
3. These are the chutneys you'll need. I just use store-bought Tamarind Chutney, but you can make yours at home.
Quinoa
4. In an Instant Pot, add 1 cup of washed quinoa. Add 1 cup of water and cook on high pressure for 1 minute. Naturally release for at least 5 minutes.
5. In the meantime, get the remaining ingredients ready. Finely chop the onions and tomatoes. Rinse frozen corn under warm water until thawed. Boil a potato (on the stove, in an InstantPot, or microwave).
6. Roast peanuts on the stove for a couple minutes until they start to brown. Remove from heat.
7. Once the quinoa is done, dry roast it in the same cast-iron skillet for about 5 minutes. The quinoa will toast up and get slightly golden.
Assemble
8. Once done, transfer the quinoa to a large bowl. Also add, corn, onions, and tomatoes.
9. Top with diced potato followed by red, green, and tamarind chutneys. Mix well.
10. Add chat masala and peanuts.
11. Add drained, rinsed chickpeas. Mix well.
12. Transfer bhel to a serving bowl. Garnish with bhujia sev, fresh cilantro and pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately!
Pin & Enjoy!
Recipe Card
Quinoa Bhel Salad
Vegan, Gluten-free, Healthy-ishEquipment
Ingredients
for red garlic chutney
- 5-6 dry red chilis, soaked in water for ½ hour, then drain
- 6-7 garlic cloves
- salt to taste
- 2 tablespoon water - add a little more, if need be
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
for the green chutney
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ inch piece ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon water, add very little more, if need be
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon red onion, chopped
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 green chilly
- 1 fresh bunch cilantro
for the quinoa
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1 cup water, if using instant pot, else use 2 cups water for stove top
to assemble
- cooked quinoa, roasted
- ½ cup red onion, chopped
- 1 cup boiled potato, chopped
- ½ cup tomato, squeeze juice out and chopped
- 3 tablespoon tamarind chutney
- ½ cup organic frozen corn, thawed
- 1 ½ tablespoon red chutney
- 3 tablespoon green chutney
- 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon chat masala, I like MDH brand
- ¼ cup peanuts, dry roasted
- 1 15 ounce can organic chickpeas, rinsed and drained
for garnish
- ¼ bhujia sev, I love Haldirams
- fresh chopped cilantro to taste
- sprinkle pomegrante seeds
Instructions
- Start by making the red chutney. Add all the red chutney ingredients to a coffee grinder. Blend. This should be the consistency. Note: Red Chutney is optional.
- Make the green chutney. You may need to add the cilantro little bit at a time.
- These are the chutneys you'll need. I just use store bought Tamarind Chutney, but you can make yours at home.
- In an Instant Pot, add 1 cup of washed quinoa. Add 1 cup of water and cook on high pressure for 1 minute. Naturally release for at least 5 minutes.
- In the meantime, get the remaining ingredients ready. Finely chop the onions and tomatoes. Rinse frozen corn under warm water until thawed. Boil a potato (on the stove, in an InstantPot, or microwave).
- Roast peanuts on the stove for a couple minutes until they start to brown. Remove from heat.
- Once the quinoa is done, dry roast it in the same cast-iron skillet for about 5 minutes. The quinoa will toast up and get slightly golden.
- Once done, transfer the quinoa to a large bowl. Also add, corn, onions and tomatoes.
- Top with diced potato followed by red, green, and tamarind chutneys. Mix well.
- Add chat masala and peanuts.
- Add drained, rinsed chickpeas. Mix well.
- Transfer bhel to a serving bowl. Garnish with bhujia sev, fresh cilantro and pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately!
Abha says
Made this a few times! Easy and delicious! Thank you
honeywhatscooking says
Hi Abha. I'm so glad to hear that. Thanks so much for the feedback. Really appreciate it. 🙂
Jas says
I was looking for a healthy version of bhel salad and found this while searching. I made it and it was fantastic! Loved the quinoa in the salad too.
honeywhatscooking says
So glad to hear that Jas. Thanks so much.
Arunaben vyas says
Your recipe is wonderful & delicious, my both daughter r using your mostly, they told me , I try & it was very good, exlant.
honeywhatscooking says
So glad to hear that Arunaben. Thanks so much!! 🙂
Mansi says
By far the most amazing and healthy recipe I came across
honeywhatscooking says
Thanks Mansi, it's definitely healthier than the real thing. xoxo
Ashwini says
Loved it!! Used cut mango from Whole Foods instead of Pom arils. And nirav sweet chutney. Oh we also added 2-3 crushed pani puri puris for some crunch! Sooo tasty!! Thank youuu!
Ritu says
It was one of the most delicious quinoa version I ever had. Love the fusion with Bhel flavors. Thanks for the recipe.
Shweta says
Tried it during the quarantine times and turned out to be awesome!!! Even Mr. husband approved 🙂
Nikita says
This satisfied all my bhel cravings AND I didn’t feel as bad as I normally would eating a bowl! Fabulous idea to make bhel a bit more nutritious, thanks for this recipe.
honeywhatscooking says
HI Nikita. So glad to hear that. Ya same - no guilt. So nutrtious. 🙂
Archana says
Love this desi chaat twist with quinoa. Chat paata and healthy at the same time.
Sakshi says
So easy, so tasty. I can see myself making it at a party next time! Healthy and so simple to put together!! Yummmmmmmm