Print

Easy Quinoa Salad Recipe

Easy Quinoa Salad Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5.3 from 17 reviews

This Easy Quinoa Salad Recipe is a refreshing and nutritious dish that’s perfect for a light lunch or as a side. Packed with protein-rich quinoa, crunchy vegetables, and a zesty dressing, it’s a flavorful and satisfying option for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Quinoa:

  • 1 cup raw quinoa, rinsed using a fine-mesh strainer
  • 2 cups water

For the Salad:

  • 1 can chickpeas (15 ounces), rinsed and drained, or 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas
  • 1 medium cucumber, deseeded and diced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • 3/4 cup chopped red onion (about 1 small onion)
  • 1 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley (from a large bunch)

For the Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 2 to 3 lemons)
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

Instructions

  1. Cook the Quinoa: Start by combining the rinsed quinoa and water in a medium saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook the quinoa uncovered for about 15 minutes, adjusting the heat as needed to keep a gentle simmer, until all the water is absorbed. Remove the saucepan from heat, cover it, and let the quinoa rest for 5 minutes. This will allow it to fluff up nicely.
  2. Prepare the Salad Ingredients: In a large serving bowl, combine the chickpeas, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, and parsley. Mix these ingredients gently to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the bowl. Set the mixture aside while you prepare the salad dressing.
  3. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, and salt until the ingredients are well blended. This simple dressing will add a bright and flavorful taste to your salad. Once the dressing is ready, set it aside until you are ready to assemble the salad.
  4. Assemble the Salad: Once the quinoa has mostly cooled, add it to the bowl with the chickpeas and vegetables. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the top, and toss the salad until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Taste the salad and season with black pepper and an additional pinch of salt if needed.
  5. Rest and Serve: For the best flavor, let the salad rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. This salad can be kept in the refrigerator, covered, for about 4 days. You can serve it chilled or at room temperature, depending on your preference.

Notes

  • This salad is a great make-ahead dish for meal prep or gatherings.
  • You can customize this salad by adding other vegetables or herbs based on your preferences.

Nutrition

Keywords: Quinoa Salad, Healthy Recipe, Easy Salad, Vegetarian Dish

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/easy-quinoa-salad-recipe/