Lemony Quinoa
Brighten up your mealtime with this quick and refreshing Lemony Quinoa recipe, a perfect balance of zesty citrus and wholesome goodness! This nutrient-packed dish features fluffy quinoa infused with the fresh flavors of lemon zest, lemon juice, and a hint of garlic sautéed in olive oil for extra richness. Enhanced with fresh parsley and a touch of salt and pepper, this versatile recipe can be served warm or at room temperature, making it an ideal side dish or light vegetarian main. Optional toppings like crunchy almonds or creamy feta cheese add a delightful twist to suit your taste. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy and healthy quinoa dish is gluten-free, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping.
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Scan with your phone to download!
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0 optional toppings: chopped almonds or feta cheese
Directions
Step 1
Rinse the quinoa under cold water using a fine-mesh sieve to remove any bitterness from the natural coating.
Step 2
In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the rinsed quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the water is fully absorbed.
Step 3
Meanwhile, mince the garlic, zest the lemon, and chop the parsley. Set them aside.
Step 4
When the quinoa is cooked, fluff it with a fork and transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
Step 5
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a small skillet over low heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Step 6
Pour the garlic and olive oil mixture over the quinoa. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.
Step 7
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Optionally, garnish with chopped almonds for crunch or crumbled feta cheese for creaminess.
Step 8
Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy as a side dish or a light vegetarian main!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (770.2g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1002.9 |
| Total Fat 54.0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 5.4g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2387.0mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 101.4g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 4.0g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 1.9g | |
| Protein 30.5g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 154.4mg | 0% |
| Iron 6.6mg | 0% |
| Potassium 459.5mg | 0% |
Source of Calories