Description
This Easy Quinoa Salad Recipe is a vibrant and nutritious dish that brings together the wholesome goodness of quinoa, protein-packed chickpeas, and an array of fresh vegetables. Perfect for any occasion—whether you need a quick lunch, a colorful side dish for dinner, or something healthy to take to a gathering—this salad is both satisfying and delicious. With its bright flavors and hearty ingredients, it’s an excellent choice for meal prep as well. Just toss everything together in under 30 minutes, and you’ll have a delightful bowl of goodness ready to enjoy throughout the week!
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw quinoa, rinsed using a fine-mesh strainer
- 2 cups water
- 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)
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 2 to 3 lemons)
- 1 tablespoon apple vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes until the quinoa is fluffy and water is absorbed.
- While the quinoa cooks, chop the cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and parsley. Place all chopped vegetables in a large mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, apple vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Once the quinoa is cooked and cooled slightly, add it to the bowl with the chopped vegetables. Pour the dressing over the salad mixture. Toss gently until all ingredients are well coated.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Rinse quinoa before cooking to eliminate bitterness. Customize with other veggies like corn or avocado for added flavor and texture. For extra crunch, consider adding nuts or seeds.