Honey Walnut Power Salad Recipe - Pinch of Yum
icon-arrowicon-chevron-whiteicon-chevronicon-commenticon-facebookicon-hearticon-instagramicon-instant-poticon-listicon-lockicon-meal-prepicon-nexticon-pinteresticon-popularicon-quoteicon-searchicon-staricon-sugar-freeicon-tiktokicon-twittericon-veganicon-videomenu-closemenu-open
Our recipes, your inbox. Sign up

Honey Walnut Power Salad

9 reviews / 5 average

Almonds and a Diet Coke. That was my sad lunch today.

As someone who feels that lunch is one of the highlights of the day (sandwiched between chocolate snacks and bedtime), having a bad lunch is more than just a little depressing.

To all you out there who can just “forget” to eat lunch, I can’t sympathize. To forget to eat lunch would be like forgetting about that big pile of miscellaneous garage sale stuff sitting in our living room. AS IF.

Grapes on a napkin.

One of the most glamorous things about a teacher’s job is eating in a teacher’s lounge. Imagine a rainbow of educational goodies on every wall, the sweet music of lunchroom chaos every time the door opens, and the overabundance of smallish plastic sporks, which, by the way, are really good at making you look like you don’t know how to eat.

This is why lunch – the actual lunch – better be seriously good.

When I saw Sara’s yummy salad a few weeks ago, I knew it was the ultimate epitome of lunch. So I made it, and made it again, and made it yet again using a tiny bit more grains for my big lunch appetite.  I love it. Love love love.

It’s portable, it’s healthy, it’s pretty, and it’s loaded with texture and flavor. The bulgur and edamame anchor the whole deal; the grapes, walnuts, caramelized onions, honey, and blue cheese are the crowning glory that makes it all come together. The fresh handful of spinach at the end keeps things feeling fresh and green. I like to feel fresh and green.

Don’t eat almonds and Diet Coke for lunch.

A sweet, nutty, power salad is calling.

Honey walnut power salad in a blue bowl.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
A picture of Honey Walnut Power Salad

Honey Walnut Power Salad


Description

This honey walnut power salad is completely loaded with good stuff: edamame, grapes, blue cheese, bulgur, walnuts, spinach, and honey.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups seedless red grapes, washed and cut in half
  • 2 cups edamame (I did a quick steam-in-the-bag variety)
  • 1 cup uncooked bulgur or other grain
  • 3/4 cup walnuts
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup water
  • fresh baby spinach
  • crumbled blue cheese
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add onions and saute on low for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft, golden brown, and almost sweet tasting.
  2. While onions are still cooking, pour bulgur and 2 cups water into a saucepan; bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes, until most of the moisture has absorbed and the grains are soft enough to eat. Let cool for 15 minutes.
  3. When onions are done, stir into the bulgur so the butter is absorbed by the grains. Season with salt.
  4. Combine grapes and edamame in a large mixing bowl. Add cooled bulgur and walnuts. Whisk water and honey; pour over mixture and stir well. Add fresh baby spinach and crumbled blue cheese just before serving.

Notes

Makes about 8 cups, so each serving is 1 heaping cup.

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Category: Lunch
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: honey walnut salad, edamame salad, power salad

I am going to be taking some time off from ye ole Pinch of Yum next week. Don’t worry – everything’s fine. I just need a few days to do things like put my feet up and eat cookies.

Seriously.

Have a great week you crazy food lovers!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

91 Comments

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      I watch the clock until it’s lunchtime, sooooo I don’t think I’m going to forget. 🙂 Glad you’re not a forgetter either!

  1. Pinch of Yum Logo

    In my life, I don’t think I’ve ever forgotten to eat a meal, EVER! My tummy reminds me, and I love food way to freaking much to just ‘forget.’ This salad is sooooo up my alley, like, I might need to make it today!

  2. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I’m looking for more low-carb meals. Is that possible? Especially for dinner, any suggestions?

  3. Pinch of Yum Logo

    This looks SOOOO much better than my salad that I have packed today: spinach and chicken. Mmmmmm….. 🙁 I might have been pouting as I made it after I read this!!

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      Chicken is good, though? 🙂 Maybe we should go out to Chipotle some day. The students dont really need us there anyways, right?

  4. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Your salad has power written all over it….errr…and in it! This is a great lunch recipe – tons of flavor with salty, sweet and nutty elements. I could see how skipping a salad like this for almonds and diet coke would be disappointing, but look how well you redeemed yourself! Great recipe!

  5. Pinch of Yum Logo

    This looks awesome… mouth-watering!!! Definitely on the list of recipes for MAY 2012!!

  6. Pinch of Yum Logo

    This is just pure beauty. I’m wondering–since it makes 8 cups…could you make the bulgur part and keep it in the fridge for a couple of days, just taking out what you need for lunch and adding the fresh spinach and blue cheese? I’ve never used bulgur before, but I really want to try this recipe.

  7. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I love this salad! Knowing that I have a “good” lunch for the afternoon is sometimes all that gets me through the morning! This must make it into my routine! Enjoy your break 🙂

  8. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Looks delicious! Salads are one of our favorite go-to meals, especially sweet and savory ones like this one 🙂 (That’s not to say we don’t indulge in popcorn dinner from time to time…)

  9. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I love edamame. I love grapes. I love bulgur. I have never thought of putting them together. Brilliant! I can’t wait to make this. Thanks so much!

  10. Pinch of Yum Logo

    This salad looks amazing! I can admit I have had terribly sad lunches as well, usually when I am very busy. The grapes and the bulgur seem like such yummy additions here!