Quinoa Salad with Tahini Dressing
Bright, fresh, and irresistibly creamy, this Quinoa Salad with Tahini Dressing is a nutrient-packed dish perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep. Fluffy quinoa serves as a hearty base, while crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, and vibrant parsley add a burst of color and crunch. The rich, zesty tahini dressing—made with lemon juice, olive oil, and a touch of garlic—ties everything together in a velvety embrace that's both light and satisfying. Ready in just 30 minutes, this gluten-free and vegetarian salad is as versatile as it is delicious—serve it as a standalone dish, a side for grilled proteins, or even pack it for an on-the-go meal. It's a refreshing, wholesome recipe you'll keep coming back to!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium cucumber
- 0.25 cup red onion
- 0.5 cup parsley
- 3 tablespoons tahini
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
Rinse the quinoa under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer to remove any bitterness.
In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until the quinoa has absorbed all the water.
Remove the cooked quinoa from the heat, fluff it with a fork, and allow it to cool to room temperature.
While the quinoa is cooling, prepare the vegetables: slice the cherry tomatoes in half, dice the cucumber, finely chop the red onion, and chop the parsley.
In a small bowl, make the dressing by whisking together the tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. If the dressing is too thick, add 1-2 teaspoons of water to achieve your desired consistency.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and parsley.
Pour the tahini dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
216 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 14.6 g | 19% | |
| Saturated Fat | 2.1 g | 10% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 270 mg | 12% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 17.0 g | 6% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.6 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.0 g | ||
| Protein | 5.7 g | 11% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 915 mg | 70% | |
| Iron | 4019.4 mg | 22330% | |
| Potassium | 354 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.
