Lemon Flavored Quinoa Salad
Brighten up your mealtime with this vibrant Lemon Flavored Quinoa Salad! Packed with fresh, wholesome ingredients and bursting with zesty lemon flavor, this salad is a healthy and refreshing side dish or light main course. Protein-rich quinoa is paired perfectly with crisp diced cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a medley of fresh herbs like parsley and mint, all tossed in a tangy lemon and olive oil dressing. A sprinkle of optional crumbled feta cheese adds a creamy, savory touch that takes this dish to the next level. Ready in just 30 minutes, this chilled quinoa salad is gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly (and easily vegan without the cheese), and makes a perfect addition to picnics, potlucks, or weekday lunches. Serve it cold or at room temperature for an irresistibly fresh and flavorful bite in every forkful!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 0.25 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons mint leaves, chopped
- 0.5 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
Instructions
Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water to remove any bitterness.
In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and the water is fully absorbed.
Remove the quinoa from heat, fluff it with a fork, and let it cool to room temperature.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Add the cooked and cooled quinoa to the bowl with the lemon dressing and toss to coat evenly.
Gently fold in the diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, mint, and crumbled feta cheese (if using).
Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or lemon juice if desired.
Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve cold or at room temperature. Enjoy your refreshing Lemon Flavored Quinoa Salad!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
258 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 18.4 g | 24% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.9 g | 30% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 27 mg | 9% | |
| Sodium | 836 mg | 36% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 17.8 g | 6% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.4 g | ||
| Protein | 7.8 g | 16% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 191 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 1.2 mg | 7% | |
| Potassium | 381 mg | 8% | |
*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.
