Quinoa Tomato Salad

Bright, fresh, and loaded with wholesome ingredients, this Quinoa Tomato Salad is a vibrant, gluten-free dish perfect for lunch, picnics, or as a side for grilled mains. Featuring fluffy quinoa, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and fragrant parsley, this salad is elevated with a zesty dressing of extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and garlic. A pop of optional feta cheese adds creamy, tangy goodness to every bite. Ready in just 30 minutes, this healthy recipe is a flavorful way to pack in nutrients while keeping it light and satisfying. Serve it chilled or at room temperature for a versatile dish that’s sure to impress! Keywords: Quinoa Tomato Salad, healthy quinoa salad, gluten-free salad, fresh tomato recipes, Mediterranean-inspired salad.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes
• 0.5 whole English cucumber
• 0.25 whole red onion
• 0.5 cups parsley, fresh
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper, freshly ground
• 0.5 cups feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water in a fine mesh strainer to remove its natural bitterness.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of quinoa with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

Step 3

Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the quinoa simmer for about 15 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed.

Step 4

Remove the saucepan from heat and let the quinoa sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool completely.

Step 5

While the quinoa cools, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, finely chop the red onion, and chop the parsley.

Step 6

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and parsley.

Step 8

Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to combine, ensuring the quinoa and vegetables are evenly coated.

Step 9

If using, fold in the crumbled feta cheese for added creaminess and flavor.

Step 10

Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1272.7 grams (1272.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1359

Total Fat 80.70g	103%
Saturated Fat 23.60g	118%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 107mg	36%
Sodium 3750mg	163%
Total Carbohydrate 116.40g	42%
Dietary Fiber 4.70g	17%
Total Sugars 12.90g
Protein 45.40g	91%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 715mg	55%
Iron 7mg	39%
Potassium 1068mg	23%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.9%

Protein: 13.2%

Carbs: 33.9%