Quinoa Salad with Tahini Dressing

Bright, fresh, and irresistibly creamy, this Quinoa Salad with Tahini Dressing is a nutrient-packed dish perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep. Fluffy quinoa serves as a hearty base, while crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, and vibrant parsley add a burst of color and crunch. The rich, zesty tahini dressing—made with lemon juice, olive oil, and a touch of garlic—ties everything together in a velvety embrace that's both light and satisfying. Ready in just 30 minutes, this gluten-free and vegetarian salad is as versatile as it is delicious—serve it as a standalone dish, a side for grilled proteins, or even pack it for an on-the-go meal. It's a refreshing, wholesome recipe you'll keep coming back to!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium cucumber
• 0.25 cup red onion
• 0.5 cup parsley
• 3 tablespoons tahini
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 clove garlic
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper

Directions

Step 1

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

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 has absorbed all the water.

Step 3

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

Step 4

While the quinoa is cooling, prepare the vegetables: slice the cherry tomatoes in half, dice the cucumber, finely chop the red onion, and chop the parsley.

Step 5

In a small bowl, make the dressing by whisking together the tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. If the dressing is too thick, add 1-2 teaspoons of water to achieve your desired consistency.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and parsley.

Step 7

Pour the tahini dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

Step 9

Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1193.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1222.7

Total Fat 68.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2461.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 118.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.6g	0%
Total Sugars 10.0g
Protein 37.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3629.4mg	0%
Iron 16079.6mg	0%
Potassium 1228.1mg	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: 49.5%

Protein: 12.2%

Carbs: 38.3%