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Dairy Free
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Gluten Free
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Sugar Free
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Vegan
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Vegetarian
Fresh and Healthy Quinoa Salad with a Simple Vinaigrette
High-protein quinoa comes to the rescue when you need a quick dish. Proteins and good fats are in this Fresh and Healthy Quinoa Salad. It’s the perfect dish for your next get-together!
Table of Contents
This colorful healthy quinoa salad recipe is a delicious and perfect lunch!
Just look at those colors! This salad is definitely one of the best healthy recipes that is a crowd-pleaser. Leafy greens are a classic base to salads, but replacing them with quinoa adds so many benefits.This is one of the hearty salads that is an easy way to get the protein and fiber that your body was asking for. It has so much flavor, you’ll be reaching for more.
The simple vinaigrette for this quinoa salad is made of just 3 fresh ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. It’s the perfect dressing to use when you want the flavors of the salad to stand out the most! Combined with fresh veggies, it’s a classic cold quinoa salad that’s super simple to make. It makes a good side to a main dish of roast chicken or a light dinner on its own.
Quinoa is an amazing grain. Besides being so delicious, it’s also full of good nutrients for the body and health benefits. Eating quinoa is a great way for vegetarians to get their daily protein. In this quinoa salad recipe, bell peppers and cucumber add a delicious crunchy texture to the salad. The mint leaves make it smell like no other salad. It is one of those fresh herbs that is not only delicious, but very pretty and low in calories! The list can go on … but try and see for yourself! This Mediterranean quinoa salad can stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. These salad ingredients make healthy meals for days!
Key Ingredients
Quinoa fills you with fiber and protein.
Fresh cucumber help to lower blood sugar and are hydrating.
Carrots fill you with vitamin A and beta-carotene.
Bell peppers are filled with vitamin C and potassium. Red bell peppers are best to use here.
Green onion is rich in vitamin K, which keeps your bones strong.
Walnuts support a healthy gut and are good for heart health.
Fresh parsley is anti-inflammatory is good for your kidneys.
Along with those ingredients, you’ll need water, hot pepper, mint, olive oil, salt, and lemon juice.
Quinoa is easy to cook for any of your favorite salads. Rinse 1 cup of quinoa and transfer into a medium pot. Add 2 cups of water, a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Cover the pot with a lid, reduce the heat, and cook on medium-low until water is absorbed (about 15 minutes). Remove from heat and let stand covered for up to 5 more minutes. Then uncover and set aside to cool. (1 cup of raw quinoa makes about 3 cups of cooked quinoa).
This quinoa salad can last in the fridge for up to four days. You can make it at the start of the week and enjoy it for lunch or dinner.
This quinoa salad goes well on its own, or can be enjoyed as a side with Soy Sauce Baked Chicken Thighs. It’s perfect with any form of protein.
You can put cucumber, red peppers, green onion, carrots, nuts, and fresh herbs into a quinoa salad. Most fresh vegetables taste amazing and add a bright flavor into any delicious salad.
This quinoa salad is seasoned with just salt! The hot pepper and lemon juice add tasty flavors that balance out the smooth quinoa and fresh veggies.
I hope you enjoy this simple salad! Here are more tasty recipes:
A Pan-Seared Halibut in Butter Garlic Sauce and Easy Salsa recipe is loaded with fresh flavor.
This recipe of Mango Salad with Avocado is my favorite way to enjoy avocado.
Fresh and Healthy Quinoa Salad with a Simple Vinaigrette
Equipment
- bowl
- mixing spoon
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 large cucumber, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 3 bell peppers, preferably different colors, chopped
- 1 hot pepper, seeded & chopped
- 3-4 green onions, chopped
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped
- ⅓ cup parsley, chopped
- 8-10 fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
Simple Vinaigrette
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- First thing you need to do is cook the quinoa. Rinse quinoa and transfer into a medium pot. Add water, salt, and bring to a boil. Cover the pot with a lid, reduce the heat, and cook on medium-low until water is absorbed (about 15 minutes). Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 more minutes. Then uncover and set aside to cool. (1 cup of raw quinoa makes about 3 cups cooked quinoa).1 cup raw quinoa, 2 cups water, 1 pinch salt
- Add all of the chopped ingredients to quinoa.1 large cucumber,, 2 carrots,, 3 bell peppers,, 1 hot pepper,, 3-4 green onions,, ½ cup walnuts,, ⅓ cup parsley,, 8-10 fresh mint leaves,
- To make a salad dressing, mix together olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.2 Tbsp olive oil, 1 pinch salt, 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- Add the dressing to the salad and mix.
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