High Protein Mediterranean Grain Salad
Elevate your meal prep game with this *High Protein Mediterranean Grain Salad*, a vibrant and satisfying dish brimming with wholesome ingredients. Packed with protein-rich quinoa and chickpeas, this salad is loaded with Mediterranean flavors, including tangy feta cheese, briny kalamata olives, and a medley of fresh veggies like cherry tomatoes and cucumber. A zesty lemon-garlic dressing ties it all together, while a sprinkle of sunflower seeds adds a delightful crunch. Perfect for a quick lunch, a nutritious meal prep option, or a healthy side dish, this recipe comes together in just 35 minutes and is as delicious as it is nourishing. With keywords like "high-protein salad," "Mediterranean flavors," and "healthy quinoa recipe," you'll want to bookmark this one for your go-to easy salad fix!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 can chickpeas, canned and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 0.25 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 0.5 cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 0.5 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 0.25 cup parsley, chopped
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
Instructions
Rinse the quinoa under cold water in a fine mesh sieve. Place quinoa in a medium-sized pot with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer for about 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy. Allow it to cool before mixing into the salad.
In a large salad bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, feta cheese, and parsley.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
Top the salad with sunflower seeds for an added crunch.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld together.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2227 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 122.8 g | 157% | |
| Saturated Fat | 28.1 g | 140% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 100 mg | 33% | |
| Sodium | 6352 mg | 276% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 220.3 g | 80% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 37.9 g | 135% | |
| Total Sugars | 29.0 g | ||
| Protein | 77.5 g | 155% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1084 mg | 83% | |
| Iron | 19.7 mg | 109% | |
| Potassium | 3012 mg | 64% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
