Quinoa and Pistachio Salad with Moroccan Pesto

Elevate your salad game with this vibrant and refreshing Quinoa and Pistachio Salad with Moroccan Pesto! Packed with protein-rich quinoa, crunchy pistachios, and a medley of fresh vegetables like cucumber and cherry tomatoes, this dish is a wholesome and satisfying meal. The star of the recipe is the Moroccan-inspired pesto, a bold blend of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, cumin, coriander, garlic, and a hint of cinnamon, creating a flavorful dressing that ties everything together. Finished with fresh parsley and mint for a burst of herbaceousness, this salad is perfect as a light lunch, side dish, or make-ahead meal. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a healthy, flavorful option for any occasion.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 0.5 cup pistachios, shelled and roughly chopped
• 1 medium cucumber, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 0.5 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.25 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 0.25 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 small garlic cloves, minced
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and the water is fully absorbed.

Step 3

Remove the cooked quinoa from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature. Fluff with a fork to loosen the grains.

Step 4

While the quinoa cools, prepare the Moroccan pesto. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, ground cumin, ground coriander, minced garlic, ground cinnamon, salt, and black pepper until well blended.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, pistachios, diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley, and chopped mint.

Step 6

Pour the prepared Moroccan pesto over the salad ingredients. Toss gently to evenly coat everything in the pesto.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or lemon juice if needed.

Step 8

Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 hours to allow the flavors to meld before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1338.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1681.1

Total Fat 107.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 13.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.3g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2471.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 147.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.7g	0%
Total Sugars 18.1g
Protein 50.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 687.8mg	0%
Iron 24.4mg	0%
Potassium 3150.9mg	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: 54.8%

Protein: 11.6%

Carbs: 33.6%