This site may contain affiliate links. If you purchase an item using one of these links, I may make a small commission. I only recommend products I use myself so you can be confident that my recommendations are tested and trusted.
Fresh vegetables, fluffy quinoa, and a bright lime dressing come together in this homemade Copycat Costco Quinoa Salad. It’s an easy, healthy recipe that’s perfect for meal prep, lunches, potlucks, or as a colourful side dish.
If you’ve ever picked up Costco’s quinoa salad from the deli, you know just how fresh and addictive it is. It’s one of those salads that’s light enough for a summer lunch but hearty enough to enjoy as a satisfying meal.
After buying it more times than I’d like to admit, I decided to recreate it at home. Not only is this homemade version every bit as delicious, but it’s also more budget-friendly and easy to customize with whatever vegetables you have on hand.
Quinoa is one of my favourite pantry staples because it’s packed with plant-based protein, naturally gluten-free, and keeps well in the refrigerator for several days. Combined with crisp vegetables, fresh cilantro, and a tangy lime dressing, this recipe is bright, refreshing, and perfect for meal prep.
Whether you’re looking for a healthy lunch, an easy side dish for barbecue season, or another high-protein recipe to add to your weekly meal rotation, this Copycat Costco Quinoa Salad is one you’ll find yourself making again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 30 minutes.
- A healthy high-protein recipe that’s naturally vegetarian.
- Great for meal prep because it tastes even better the next day.
- Full of fresh vegetables and vibrant flavour.
- Budget-friendly compared to buying prepared salads.
- Easy to customize with your favourite vegetables or protein.
Preparing Costco Copycat Quinoa Salad
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Salad
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 Roma tomato
- 1 mini cucumber
- ½ red bell pepper
- ½ green bell pepper
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
For the Dressing
- Juice of 1 lime (25–30 ml)
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil (or extra virgin olive oil)
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
Is Quinoa High in Protein?
One of the reasons I love cooking with quinoa is that it’s naturally higher in protein than many other grains. It’s also a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids, making it an excellent choice for vegetarian meals.
Combined with fresh vegetables and healthy fats from avocado oil, this salad is both nourishing and satisfying. If you’d like to make it even higher in protein, try serving it with grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, or chickpeas.
How to Make Copycat Costco Quinoa Salad
Step 1: Cook the quinoa
Add the quinoa and two cups of water to a saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat until approximately half of the water has been absorbed, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
Cover with a lid, remove from the heat, and let it sit for 5–8 minutes.
Fluff with a fork and allow it to cool completely.
Step 2: Prepare the vegetables
While the quinoa cools, wash and finely chop the tomato, cucumber, bell peppers, and cilantro. I like cutting everything into small, even pieces so you get a little bit of everything in every bite.
Step 3: Make the dressing
Juice the lime into a small bowl. Add the avocado oil, cumin, salt
, pepper, and sugar. Whisk until well combined.
Tips for the Best Quinoa Salad
- Let the quinoa cool completely before mixing to keep the vegetables crisp.
- Rinse the quinoa before cooking to remove any bitterness.
- Finely dice the vegetables for the best texture.
- Taste before serving and add an extra squeeze of lime if you’d like a brighter flavour.
- This salad tastes even better after a few hours in the refrigerator as the flavours meld together.
Step 4: Assemble the salad
Once the quinoa has cooled, combine it with the chopped vegetables. Pour the dressing over top and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.
Variations
This salad is easy to customize depending on what you have available.
Try adding:
- Chickpeas for extra plant-based protein.
- Grilled chicken for a heartier meal.
- Crumbled feta cheese for a creamy, salty finish.
- Avocado just before serving.
- Green onions for additional freshness.
- Jalapeño for a little heat.
Serving Suggestions
This homemade Costco quinoa salad pairs perfectly with:
- Grilled chicken breast
- Salmon
- Burgers
- Barbecue favourites
- Wraps and sandwiches
- A simple bowl of soup
It’s also delicious on its own for a healthy lunch or light dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Costco still sell quinoa salad?
Many Costco locations continue to carry their popular quinoa salad in the deli section, although availability may vary by warehouse and season. This homemade version lets you enjoy it anytime.
Can I make quinoa salad ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, this salad is even better after chilling for a few hours, making it an excellent meal prep recipe.
How long does quinoa salad last?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this salad will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
Can I freeze quinoa salad?
Freezing isn’t recommended because the fresh vegetables lose their crisp texture after thawing.
Is quinoa gluten-free?
Yes! Quinoa is naturally gluten-free, making this recipe a great option for anyone following a gluten-free diet.
Final Thoughts
Fresh, colourful, and full of flavour, this Copycat Costco Quinoa Salad is one of those recipes you’ll want to keep in regular rotation. It’s simple enough for busy weekdays, beautiful enough for entertaining, and versatile enough to serve alongside almost any meal.
Making it at home means you can adjust the vegetables, seasonings, and protein to suit your family’s tastes while saving money compared to buying prepared salads. If you’re looking for an easy high-protein recipe that’s healthy, refreshing, and meal-prep friendly, this one is definitely worth trying.
I’d love to hear what you think! If you make this recipe, leave a comment below and let me know if you added your own twist.
Are you looking for dinner ideas? Check out our recipes:
Copycat Costco Quinoa Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Knife
- Juicer
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add the quinoa and 2 cups of water to a saucepan. Cook on medium-low until about half the water is absorbed. Stir occasionally. About 10 minutes.1 cup quinoa
- Then cover with a lid and take it off the heat. Leave it covered for 5-8 minutes.
- In the meantime, wash and chop all the fresh ingredients. I like to chop everything into 1/8 inch cubes so you get a taste of everything in one bite.1 Roma tomato, 1 mini cucumber, 1/2 red bell pepper, 1/2 green bell pepper, 1/4 cup cilantro
- Next, make the dressing. Juice a lemon to get between 25–30 ml of juice.1 lime juice
- Add 2 tablespoons of avocado or extra virgin olive oil, followed by the spices. Stir well.1/2 cumin, 2 tbsp avocado oil, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp ground black pepper, 1/4 tsp sugar
- Once the quinoa has cooled, add the produce, top with the dressing and stir until well combined.
