Zesty Quinoa Salad – The Almond Eater

February 23, 2023

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This protein-packed Zesty Quinoa Salad is a celebration to your style buds! It’s the very best summer season facet dish or wholesome lunch made with quinoa, veggies, nuts, avocado, feta, and herbs wearing a candy and savory French dressing.

I’ll by no means flip my nostril up at a grain bowl. Beautiful greens and protein layered over rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice? Signal me up!

Similar to my Mediterranean hummus bowl and Mediterranean lamb bowl, this Zesty Quinoa Salad is crammed to the brim with wholesome components that by no means skip on taste. It’s the very best summer season grain bowl you may deliver to picnics, pool events, potlucks, and so forth.

The Mediterranean-inspired components, like chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber, and extra, are what make this simple quinoa salad actually irresistible. Nevertheless, it’s the candy and savory 6-ingredient French dressing that offers each chunk its signature zestiness. Toss all of it collectively, take a chunk, and sit again whereas your style buds sing!

Recipe options

Like most summer season quinoa salads, this recipe is a improbable supply of protein and fiber due to the quinoa, chickpeas, nuts, seeds, avocado, and contemporary greens.
It’s simple to make, however even simpler in case you’re ready forward of time. You possibly can lower the prep time down to only 5 minutes by pre-cooking the quinoa and pre-chopping the greens.
The zesty Mediterranean dressing takes each chunk excessive. Simple to make with 6 easy components, it’s scrumptious on this salad and may even be used as a marinade for hen, fish, and shrimp.

Substances

Quinoa – As a result of it simply isn’t quinoa salad with out the quinoa! Simply 1 cup of cooked quinoa incorporates over 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, which is why quinoa salads are so filling and satisfying. However in case you really feel like mixing issues up, be happy to make this recipe with cooked rice, farro, orzo, couscous, or bulgur as a substitute.

Chickpeas – A can of rinsed and drained chickpeas is ideal right here.

Tomatoes, cucumbers, and pink onion – That is my go-to trio for flavorful and colourful Mediterranean salads and grain bowls (you’ll discover them in my Mediterranean pasta salad and chickpea tuna salad as nicely). Grape tomatoes are greatest as a result of they’re bite-sized and deliciously candy.

Avocado – This deviates from the Greek/Mediterranean theme, however avocado provides a improbable creaminess that shouldn’t be missed.

Feta cheese – Should you want milder cheese, substitute feta with cotija, goat cheese, or freshly grated parmesan. For a vegan quinoa salad, omit the cheese totally or use your favourite vegan feta cheese as a substitute.

Mint – Spearmint leaves take the flavors excessive. Should you can’t discover contemporary mint, use flat-leaf parsley or basil leaves as a substitute.

Nuts and seeds – Pumpkin seeds and almonds add a pleasant crunch, in addition to wholesome fat and protein. Be at liberty to combine and match with different nuts and seeds, like sunflower seeds, pistachios, or walnuts.

Step-by-step directions

Step 1: Cook dinner the quinoa. Should you haven’t already completed so, cook dinner the quinoa on the range in response to the bundle instructions. Set it apart to chill when you prep the veggies.

Step 2: Assemble the salad. As soon as cooled, mix the cooked quinoa in a big mixing bowl with the chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, pink onion, feta, mint, pumpkin seeds, and almonds.

bowl with quinoa, feta cheese, cucumber, and other vegetables inside

Step 3: Make the dressing. Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, minced garlic, sugar, and pepper in a small bowl or glass measuring cup.

Step 4: Toss, then serve. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss till every part is nicely coated. Serve and luxuriate in!

bowl with quinoa, feta cheese, cucumber, and other vegetables inside and dressing being poured overtop

Suggestions and FAQs

All the time rinse your quinoa earlier than utilizing it! To take action, place the quinoa in a high-quality mesh strainer, then run chilly water over it for not less than 1 minute to take away the bitter-tasting coating on the floor of the grains.
Save time by cooking the quinoa 1 or 2 days earlier than serving. Hold it in an hermetic container within the fridge till it’s time to assemble.
You possibly can tone down the sharp taste of the uncooked onion by soaking it in a bowl of chilly water for 10 minutes first.
Do you favor creamy salad dressings? Be at liberty to swap the French dressing for the do-it-yourself tzatziki sauce in my Mediterranean quinoa bowl. It’s creamy and cooling, and never as zesty in taste.

What else are you able to add to quinoa salad?

You possibly can bulk it up with extra contemporary Mediterranean components, like cannellini beans, fava beans, kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, child spinach leaves, chopped artichoke hearts, and sliced roasted pink peppers.

For a lift of protein, combine in leftover chopped or shredded hen or add a can of drained tuna.

What do you serve with quinoa salad?

This flavorful Greek quinoa dish is a filling meal by itself, but it surely will get even higher when served on the facet of easy proteins. Go together with grilled tempeh for a meat-free choice, or serve this quinoa salad subsequent to quinoa crusted salmon, Greek hen meatballs, lamb burgers, or baked Mediterranean cod.

Storage

Make forward: You can also make the salad 1 day forward of time. Toss every part (besides the avocado) in a bowl and preserve it within the fridge in a single day. Add the diced avocado proper earlier than serving to stop it from browning.

Fridge: Retailer the leftover quinoa salad in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3 to five days.

bowl with quinoa, feta cheese, cucumber, and other vegetables inside and with a spoon

Extra wholesome salad recipes

Should you made this recipe, you’ll want to depart a remark and star ranking beneath. Thanks!