Lemon Flavored Quinoa Salad

Brighten up your mealtime with this vibrant Lemon Flavored Quinoa Salad! Packed with fresh, wholesome ingredients and bursting with zesty lemon flavor, this salad is a healthy and refreshing side dish or light main course. Protein-rich quinoa is paired perfectly with crisp diced cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a medley of fresh herbs like parsley and mint, all tossed in a tangy lemon and olive oil dressing. A sprinkle of optional crumbled feta cheese adds a creamy, savory touch that takes this dish to the next level. Ready in just 30 minutes, this chilled quinoa salad is gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly (and easily vegan without the cheese), and makes a perfect addition to picnics, potlucks, or weekday lunches. Serve it cold or at room temperature for an irresistibly fresh and flavorful bite in every forkful!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 0.25 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons mint leaves, chopped
• 0.5 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water to remove any bitterness.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and the water is fully absorbed.

Step 3

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

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

Step 5

Add the cooked and cooled quinoa to the bowl with the lemon dressing and toss to coat evenly.

Step 6

Gently fold in the diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, mint, and crumbled feta cheese (if using).

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or lemon juice if desired.

Step 8

Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 9

Serve cold or at room temperature. Enjoy your refreshing Lemon Flavored Quinoa Salad!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1338.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1394.3

Total Fat 82.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 106.8mg	0%
Sodium 4931.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 120.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.0g	0%
Total Sugars 13.7g
Protein 45.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 746.2mg	0%
Iron 8.0mg	0%
Potassium 1152.6mg	0%

*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: 52.8%

Protein: 13.0%

Carbs: 34.2%