Quinoa with Turkey, Brussels Sprouts & Cranberries #CranberryWeek

Quinoa, leftover turkey (or chicken), fall Brussels sprouts, and dried cranberries are tossed in a fresh orange vinaigrette creating a dish to enjoy for lunch, a light dinner, or even a side dish. 

Today kicks off one of my favorite foodie weeks of fall – Cranberry Week! Hosted by Caroline from Caroline’s Cooking, it’s a week of recipes featuring fresh and dried cranberries, cranberry juice, and any other cranberry product you can think of. This week, I have two new recipes for you – a savory dish that you could enjoy for lunch, a light dinner, or bright side dish and a fall twist on a classic dessert.

What are you plans for Thanksgiving? Can you believe it’s less than a month away?

My husband and I usually crash a friend’s house for the holiday, but this year, we’re hosting. My parents will be in town helping with childcare that week (lots of days off and early dismissals!) so I expect my mom to be doing a lot of prep. Our current count is 16 for Thanksgiving dinner (with at least 8 house guests spending the night for a night or two), but I anticipate adding at least 4 more before the big day. Not going to lie, I’m a little tired just thinking about it!

But seriously, while it’s a bit overwhelming to think about with a bit of travel and a bit of single-momming it before then, I’m looking forward to it. No clue what I’m going to make yet, but that’s ok. It’ll work out.

Funny enough, even though I haven’t really done much planning for the big meal, I already know what I’m going to do with the leftover turkey. I’m going to have my mom make me Turkey Noodle Soup (it always tastes better when she makes it!) and then I’m going to steal a bit to make this Quinoa with Turkey, Brussels Sprouts & Cranberries. It just screams fall, or more specifically, Thanksgiving leftovers. Toss leftover turkey (or chicken) with fall Brussels sprouts, dried cranberries, and quinoa and then dress it with a light, citrus vinaigrette. Yum!

Recipe Notes:

• While this recipe calls for turkey, you can totally use leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken. Or even buy turkey or chicken breast from from the deli counter at your local grocery store.
• Feel free to up the protein in this recipe with up to 1 lb. of chicken or turkey or omit all together for a bright and flavorful side dish.

Print

Quinoa with Turkey, Brussels Sprouts & Cranberries

Quinoa, leftover turkey (or chicken), fall Brussels sprouts, and dried cranberries are tossed in a fresh orange vinaigrette creating a dish to enjoy for lunch, a light dinner, or even a side dish. 

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 4

Author Liz

Ingredients

Ingredients for the Vinaigrette:

• 1 Tbs. olive oil
• 1 shallot minced
• 1 tsp. orange zest
• 1/4 c. fresh orange juice from about 1/2 a orange
• 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar white balsamic vinegar, if you have it
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Ingredients for the Quinoa:

• 3 c. cooked quinoa
• 1/2 lb. turkey breast diced
• 1/2 lb. uncooked shredded Brussels sprouts
• 1/2 c. coarsely chopped dried cranberries

Instructions

1. Whisk together all ingredients for the vinaigrette and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, toss together all ingredients for the quinoa.
3. Top with vinaigrette and toss to coat.

Recipe Notes

May be served hot, warm/room temperature or cold.

Today’s #CranberryWeek Recipes

I’m excited to be sharing this recipe as part of Cranberry Week – now in it’s third year! See all the tasty cranberry recipes being shared today below and follow #cranberryweek on social media for more ideas all week long.

• Bourbon Cranberry Sauce from Cookaholic Wife
• Cranberry Apple Pie from The Redhead Baker
• Cranberry Almond Shortbread Tart from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Cranberry Cheese Ball from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Cranberry Chipotle Glazed Baked Salmon from Palatable Pastime
• Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread from Our Good Life
• Cranberry Ice Cream from Kate’s Recipe Box
• Cranberry Orange Bread from The Saucy Fig
• Cranberry-Orange Glazed Ham from Cooking For My Soul
• Cranberry Orange Scones from A Joyfully Mad Kitchen
• Fall Pizza with Sausage and Squash from Caroline’s Cooking
• Glazed Cranberry Almond Squares from Family Around the Kitchen
• Hot Spiced Cranberry Orange Cocktail from The Gingered Whisk
• Lamb Lollipops with Cranberry-Apple Mostarda from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Maple Honey Cranberry Sauce from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Quinoa with Turkey, Brussels Sprouts & Cranberries from Books n’ Cooks
• Real Cranberry Gummy Bears from Daily Dish Recipes