Description
This gluten-free quinoa salad is a light, nutritious, and refreshing dish packed with fresh vegetables, fragrant herbs, and a tangy lemon dressing. Perfect for healthy lunches, meal prep, and picnics, it combines fluffy quinoa with crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, aromatic parsley and mint, all tossed in a zesty olive oil and lemon dressing for a flavorful Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 cup (185g) quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups (480ml) water
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped
Dressing
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cook Quinoa: Combine the rinsed quinoa and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer Quinoa: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer gently for 15 minutes, or until all water is absorbed and quinoa is tender.
- Cool Quinoa: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the quinoa cool completely to room temperature for the best texture in the salad.
- Prepare Salad Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa with diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, chopped parsley, and chopped mint to evenly distribute the fresh ingredients.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss thoroughly to coat all the ingredients evenly with the flavorful dressing.
- Chill Before Serving: For best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the ingredients to meld. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Notes
- Add chickpeas to the salad to increase protein content and make it more filling.
- This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, making it excellent for meal prepping.
- Great served as a light main dish or as a side to grilled meats or fish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired Cuisine
