Description
Crispy Quinoa Salad is a vibrant and nutritious dish that combines fluffy quinoa with fresh, colorful vegetables and a zesty lemon dressing. This refreshing salad bursts with flavor, making it perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a healthy side dish. Quick to prepare and easily customizable, it’s sure to impress your guests while providing a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 medium cucumber (diced)
- 1/4 cup red onion (finely chopped)
- 1 cup bell pepper (diced)
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa under cold water to remove bitterness. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes until all water is absorbed.
- While quinoa cooks, chop cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and parsley.
- Once quinoa has cooled slightly, combine it with the chopped veggies in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Drizzle over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: - Add chickpeas or grilled chicken for extra protein. - Substitute olive oil with tahini sauce for a creamier texture. - Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days; add dressing just before serving.