Summer Quinoa Salad

Bright, refreshing, and bursting with seasonal flavors, this Summer Quinoa Salad is the ultimate wholesome dish for warm-weather dining. Packed with protein-rich quinoa, crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a medley of fresh herbs like parsley and mint, this salad offers a vibrant medley of textures and tastes. A zesty homemade dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, and lemon zest ties everything together for a tangy, citrusy finish. Customize it with creamy avocado or crumbly feta cheese for an added layer of indulgence. Ready in just 35 minutes, this light yet satisfying salad is perfect as a healthy lunch, a picnic side, or a refreshing make-ahead meal for any summer gathering. With its colorful presentation and irresistible flavors, this quinoa salad is sure to become a warm-weather staple!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 medium cucumber
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes
• 0.25 cup red onion
• 0.5 cup fresh parsley
• 0.25 cup fresh mint
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup feta cheese (optional)
• 1 large avocado (optional)

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 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.

Step 3

Remove the quinoa from heat and let it cool completely. Fluff with a fork to loosen the grains.

Step 4

While the quinoa is cooling, prepare the vegetables. Dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, finely chop the red onion, and roughly chop the parsley and mint.

Step 5

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

Step 6

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

Step 7

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated.

Step 8

If using, crumble the feta cheese and dice the avocado, then gently fold them into the salad.

Step 9

Transfer the salad to a serving bowl, garnish with additional parsley or mint if desired, and serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(753.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1052.3

Total Fat 55.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2404.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 113.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.4g	0%
Total Sugars 11.9g
Protein 28.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 131.0mg	0%
Iron 7.9mg	0%
Potassium 1289.9mg	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: 46.5%

Protein: 10.7%

Carbs: 42.8%