Toasted Quinoa Salad

Elevate your salad game with this vibrant Toasted Quinoa Salad, a wholesome and refreshing dish packed with flavor and texture. The star of this recipe is nutty, golden-brown quinoa, toasted to perfection before being simmered and fluffed, creating a deliciously hearty base. Tossed with crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, zesty red onion, and fresh parsley, this salad bursts with Mediterranean-inspired flavors. A tangy homemade dressing of lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a touch of honey ties everything together, while crumbled feta cheese and toasted almonds add creamy and crunchy dimensions. Ready in just 35 minutes, this versatile quinoa salad is perfect as a light lunch, a colorful side dish, or a make-ahead meal for busy weeks. Healthy, satisfying, and brimming with vibrant ingredients, this recipe is your go-to for nutritious and irresistible salads.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium cucumber
• 0.5 small red onion
• 0.25 cup parsley
• 0.5 cup feta cheese
• 0.25 cup almonds

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer to remove any bitterness.

Step 2

Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the rinsed quinoa and toast it for 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly, until it becomes fragrant and golden brown.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the toasted quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed.

Step 4

Remove the quinoa from the heat and fluff it with a fork. Let it cool to room temperature.

Step 5

Meanwhile, prepare the dressing by whisking together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 6

Dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, and finely chop the red onion and parsley. Set these aside.

Step 7

Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, until lightly golden. Remove from heat and let cool.

Step 8

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, parsley, feta cheese, and toasted almonds.

Step 9

Drizzle the prepared dressing over the quinoa and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to combine, ensuring the dressing is evenly distributed.

Step 10

Serve immediately or refrigerate for about an hour to let the flavors meld together. Garnish with additional parsley or feta if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1300.4 grams (1300.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1487

Total Fat 89.50g	115%
Saturated Fat 17.80g	89%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.50g
Cholesterol 67mg	22%
Sodium 4556mg	198%
Total Carbohydrate 128.90g	47%
Dietary Fiber 9.30g	33%
Total Sugars 17.80g
Protein 45.30g	91%

Vitamin D 12IU	60%
Calcium 603mg	46%
Iron 9mg	52%
Potassium 1050mg	22%

*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: 53.6%

Protein: 12.1%

Carbs: 34.3%