Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad Recipe
A fresh and flavorful Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad featuring fluffy quinoa, vibrant vegetables, fresh herbs, and a zesty lemon dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a wholesome side dish, this salad combines nutritious ingredients for a healthy, satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Grains
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups vegetable broth (or water)
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 bell pepper (red or yellow), diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
Dressing and Seasoning
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Cook the Quinoa: In a medium-sized pot, combine the rinsed quinoa and vegetable broth (or water). Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer and Cool: Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa is fluffy and the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it cool.
- Prepare Vegetables and Herbs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, parsley, and mint.
- Add Quinoa: Once the quinoa has cooled, fluff it with a fork and add it to the bowl with the vegetables.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the lemon juice and olive oil over the salad, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss and Add Cheese: Gently toss the ingredients together until well mixed. If using, add the crumbled feta cheese and fold it in carefully.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the salad to sit for about 10-15 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together.
Notes
- Rinsing the quinoa before cooking removes its natural bitterness and improves texture.
- You can substitute vegetable broth with water for a lighter taste.
- Feel free to add other fresh vegetables like radishes or carrots for extra crunch.
- Omitting feta cheese makes the salad vegan-friendly.
- Letting the salad rest allows the flavors to combine beautifully.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature for best flavor.
Keywords: lemon quinoa salad, herb quinoa salad, vegetarian quinoa recipe, healthy quinoa salad, Mediterranean salad with quinoa
Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/lemon-herb-quinoa-salad-recipe/
