Quinoa with Cherries and Herbs

Brighten up your table with this vibrant and nutritious Quinoa with Cherries and Herbs recipe! This delightful dish combines fluffy quinoa with the natural sweetness of dried cherries, the crunch of toasted almonds, and the fresh, aromatic flavors of parsley and mint. A zesty dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, and a touch of honey ties everything together for a refreshing, balanced bite. Quick to prepare in just 25 minutes, this recipe is perfect as a light vegetarian meal, a stunning side dish for summer gatherings, or even a make-ahead option for meal prep. Bursting with wholesome ingredients and bold flavors, this quinoa salad is not only delicious but also packed with protein, fiber, and antioxidants for a healthier twist on your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup dried cherries
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley
• 0.25 cup fresh mint
• 2 stalks green onions
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup almonds (slivered or sliced)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa under cold running 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, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the quinoa with a fork.

Step 3

While the quinoa is cooking, chop the parsley and mint finely, and thinly slice the green onions.

Step 4

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, dried cherries, chopped parsley, chopped mint, green onions, and almonds.

Step 6

Drizzle the dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss gently to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.

Step 7

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

Step 8

Serve immediately at room temperature or refrigerate for up to 2 days and serve chilled.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(967.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1356.4

Total Fat 68.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2395.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 154.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.7g	0%
Total Sugars 48.3g
Protein 37.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 308.3mg	0%
Iron 9.2mg	0%
Potassium 889.6mg	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: 44.5%

Protein: 10.7%

Carbs: 44.7%