Refreshing Quinoa Salad

Brighten up your table with this Refreshing Quinoa Salad, a wholesome and colorful dish that's as vibrant in flavor as it is in appearance. Packed with nutrient-rich quinoa, crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, and sweet red bell pepper, this salad boasts a medley of textures and tastes that are elevated with the sharpness of red onion and the freshness of parsley. Creamy crumbles of feta cheese add a luxurious touch, while a zesty lemon-honey dressing ties everything together with a perfect balance of tangy and sweet. Ready in just 35 minutes, this healthy quinoa salad is ideal for meal prep, light lunches, or as a refreshing side dish for your favorite mains. Perfect served chilled or at room temperature, it's a must-try recipe for every season.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 medium, diced cucumber
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
• 0.25 small, finely chopped red onion
• 0.25 cup, chopped fresh parsley
• 0.5 cup, crumbled feta cheese
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa, 2 cups of water, and 0.5 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 3

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa has absorbed all the water.

Step 4

Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to steam.

Step 5

Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork and let it cool to room temperature.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, chopped parsley, and crumbled feta cheese.

Step 7

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

Step 8

Pour the dressing over the quinoa salad and toss gently to combine all the ingredients well.

Step 9

Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 10

Serve the quinoa salad chilled or at room temperature and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1333.1 grams (1333.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1286

Total Fat 71.20g	91%
Saturated Fat 16.70g	84%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.50g
Cholesterol 67mg	22%
Sodium 3264mg	142%
Total Carbohydrate 124.80g	45%
Dietary Fiber 6.40g	23%
Total Sugars 19.30g
Protein 39.10g	78%

Vitamin D 12IU	60%
Calcium 507mg	39%
Iron 8mg	44%
Potassium 1279mg	27%

*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: 49.4%

Protein: 12.1%

Carbs: 38.5%