Sugar-Free Refreshing Quinoa Salad
Brighten up your menu with this Sugar-Free Refreshing Quinoa Salad, a wholesome and vibrant dish perfect for any occasion! Packed with fluffy quinoa, crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crunchy red bell peppers, this no-sugar-added recipe is a symphony of fresh, bold flavors. Enhanced with fragrant parsley and mint, and tossed in a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing, this salad delivers both taste and nutrition in every bite. Ideal for meal prep, picnics, or a light lunch, it’s gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and ready in just 30 minutes. Serve it as a satisfying side or a nutrient-rich main dish that’s as good for your body as it is for your taste buds!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 0.5 medium red onion, finely chopped
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 0.25 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Rinse the quinoa under cold water using a fine mesh sieve until the water runs clear.
In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the rinsed quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the quinoa sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let it cool to room temperature.
While the quinoa is cooling, prepare the vegetables. Dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the bell pepper, and finely chop the red onion.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, and red onion. Add the chopped parsley and mint leaves.
In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Pour the dressing over the quinoa and vegetable mixture, and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, then serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld more deeply.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1107 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 54.5 g | 70% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.9 g | 30% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2440 mg | 106% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 129.7 g | 47% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.2 g | 47% | |
| Total Sugars | 18.7 g | ||
| Protein | 33.1 g | 66% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 442 mg | 34% | |
| Iron | 15.6 mg | 87% | |
| Potassium | 2034 mg | 43% | |
*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.
