Favorite Quinoa Salad (Printable Version)
Bright quinoa salad with fresh veggies, herbs and lemon-Dijon dressing - a light, nutritious option in 30 minutes.
# Ingredient List:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup uncooked quinoa
02 - 2 cups water
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
05 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
→ Fresh Herbs
07 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
→ Dairy (optional)
09 - 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
→ Dressing
10 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
12 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
14 - Salt and black pepper to taste
# How to Make:
01 - Rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan, add the quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until all liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool to room temperature.
02 - While the quinoa cools, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a small mixing bowl until emulsified.
03 - In a large salad bowl, toss together the cooled quinoa, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, chopped parsley, and chopped mint.
04 - Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top if using, and toss lightly. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Serve immediately at room temperature, or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It comes together in the time it takes to scroll through your phone looking for takeout.
- The lemon mustard dressing is the kind of thing you will want to put on everything once you taste it.
02 -
- Skipping the quinoa rinse is the fastest way to make the whole salad taste like soap so do not cut that corner.
- Adding the dressing while the quinoa is still warm helps it absorb more flavor than waiting until it is completely cold.
03 -
- Toast the dry quinoa in the saucepan for two minutes before adding water to bring out a nuttier deeper flavor.
- Use the flat side of your knife to smash the garlic clove before mincing because it releases more oils and makes the dressing noticeably more fragrant.