Quinoa Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes

Bright, vibrant, and bursting with Mediterranean flavor, this quinoa salad with sun-dried tomatoes is a wholesome dish that’s as nutritious as it is delicious. Perfect as a light lunch or a colorful side, this recipe combines fluffy quinoa with the tangy sweetness of sun-dried tomatoes, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and aromatic fresh herbs like parsley and basil. A zesty homemade dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic ties everything together, while optional crumbled feta adds a creamy, salty touch. Ready in just 30 minutes, this gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly salad is both refreshing and satisfying, making it an ideal choice for meal prep, potlucks, or weeknight dinners.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (in oil)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium cucumber
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 0.5 cup feta cheese (optional)
• 0.5 cup fresh parsley
• 0.25 cup fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa has absorbed all the water.

Step 3

Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork and transfer it to a large salad bowl to cool slightly.

Step 4

While the quinoa is cooling, chop the sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion into small, bite-sized pieces.

Step 5

If using feta cheese, crumble it into small chunks. Finely chop the parsley and basil.

Step 6

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 7

Add the sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, basil, and feta (if using) to the bowl of quinoa.

Step 8

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together until well combined.

Step 9

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

Step 10

Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 15–30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1549.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2443.5

Total Fat 168.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 106.8mg	0%
Sodium 5859.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 180.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.2g	0%
Total Sugars 47.5g
Protein 62.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 940.1mg	0%
Iron 19.8mg	0%
Potassium 4900.4mg	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: 60.9%

Protein: 10.1%

Carbs: 29.0%