Quinoa Salad
Quinoa salad is a refreshing and nutritious dish that combines fluffy quinoa with a vibrant mix of fresh vegetables. This colorful salad is not only visually appealing but also packed with flavor, making it a perfect addition to your summer meals or picnics. With zesty lemon dressing and an array of textures, it’s sure to impress your family and friends while providing a wholesome dining experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small red onion, finely diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
- ¼ cup fresh herbs (parsley or cilantro), chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa under cold water until the water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for about 15 minutes until fluffy.
- While quinoa cooks, prepare the vegetables: chop cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, and fresh herbs into bite-sized pieces.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa with veggies and herbs. Drizzle with dressing and toss gently until well-coated.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: For added texture and flavor, consider incorporating roasted vegetables or nuts. Experiment with different dressings like lemon-tahini or honey-mustard for variety.