Description
Quinoa Salad is a colorful and nutritious dish that combines protein-packed quinoa with a medley of crisp vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing. This easy-to-make salad is perfect for potlucks, meal prep, or a refreshing lunch. Enjoy it chilled or at room temperature to celebrate vibrant flavors any time of the year.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup bell peppers (any color), diced
- 1/4 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa under cold water using a fine-mesh sieve. Combine with 2 cups of water or vegetable broth in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes until all liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
- While quinoa cooks, chop cucumber, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, and parsley 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 chopped veggies and feta cheese. Drizzle dressing over the top and toss gently to mix.
- Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for enhanced flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 200g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: - Customize by adding nuts for crunch or swapping vegetables based on your preferences. - For added flavor, cook quinoa in vegetable broth instead of water. - Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days; refresh with extra dressing before serving.