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easy quinoa salad

Quinoa Salad

This easy quinoa salad recipe is light and refreshing. It’s perfect as a side dish or add in your favorite protein to make this an entree. 

Course Salad
Cuisine Mediterranean
Keyword salad
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Author My Boys & Their Toys

Ingredients

Ingredients for Salad: 1 cup dry quinoa, 2 cups water, 1 bell pepper diced, 3/4 small red onion diced, 5 celery stalks with leaves sliced, 1 english cucumber diced, 1/3 cup parsley, 1 (15.5 oz) garbanzo beans reduced sodium, drain beans

Ingredients for dressing: 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 3 cloves garlic minced, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

Add the rinsed quinoa and water to a medium saucepan. Cover with lid and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower the heat to a simmer. Cook for approximately 15 minutes; until the quinoa has absorbed all of the water. Turn off heat and let quinoa rest, after 5-10 mins remove lid so it can cool. While quinoa is cooking start the veggies. In a large bowl, add the bell pepper, red onion, celery, cucumber, parsley, and garbanzo beans. Set aside. In a small bowl, add the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Whisk until ingredients are well blended. Set aside. Mix the veggies in a large bowl, then add the cooked quinoa, stir. Next, add the dressing and combine all ingredients together. Add more salt and pepper, if needed. Put the quinoa salad in a Tupperware bowl with lid and place in the refrigerator. For best results, let the flavors mingle for at least an hour before serving.

Recipe Notes

Tip: We like to top the quinoa salad with pan-seared scallops, grilled salmon, or chicken breast to make it an entree.