Minted Quinoa
Elevate your next meal with Minted Quinoa, a light and refreshing dish bursting with vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients. This quick and easy recipe combines fluffy quinoa infused with the bright aroma of fresh mint, zesty lemon juice, and a drizzle of rich olive oil for a perfect balance of taste and texture. A pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper complete the base, while optional toppings like tangy feta cheese, crunchy cucumber, or sweet cherry tomatoes add extra flair. Ready in just 25 minutes, Minted Quinoa is a versatile side dish or chilled salad that’s ideal for healthy lunches, dinner pairings, or picnics. Packed with plant-based protein and Mediterranean-inspired flavors, this recipe is a must-try for quinoa lovers and home chefs seeking effortless, delicious options.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 cups fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 1 medium lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper, freshly ground
- as desired optional toppings (feta cheese, chopped cucumber, cherry tomatoes, etc.)
Instructions
Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold running water to remove its natural bitterness. Drain well.
In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Stir in the rinsed quinoa and 0.5 teaspoons of salt.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the quinoa simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is fully absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
Remove the saucepan from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes. Then fluff the quinoa with a fork and allow it to cool to room temperature.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, chopped mint leaves, lemon juice, and olive oil. Stir well to coat the quinoa evenly.
Season with freshly ground black pepper and more salt, if needed, to taste.
If desired, top with crumbled feta cheese, chopped cucumber, or cherry tomatoes for added flavor and texture.
Serve immediately as a side dish or chilled as a refreshing salad. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
948 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 46.7 g | 60% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.5 g | 42% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 25 mg | 8% | |
| Sodium | 2704 mg | 118% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 104.3 g | 38% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.3 g | 19% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.7 g | ||
| Protein | 31.1 g | 62% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 393 mg | 30% | |
| Iron | 10.9 mg | 61% | |
| Potassium | 592 mg | 13% | |
*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.
