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- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed thoroughly - 2 cups vegetable broth or water - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half - 1 cucumber, diced into small cubes - 1 bell pepper (red or yellow), diced - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice - 2 cloves garlic, minced - Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional but recommended) - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped To start, rinse the quinoa under cold water. Rinsing helps remove the bitter taste. Then, place the quinoa in a medium pot. Add the vegetable broth or water. Heat the pot over medium heat until it boils. Once boiling, lower the heat. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 15 minutes. The quinoa will absorb all the liquid. Remove the pot from heat and let it sit for 5 minutes. This resting time makes it fluffy. After that, use a fork to fluff the quinoa and set it aside to cool slightly. Next, take your fresh veggies. Chop the cherry tomatoes in half. Dice the cucumber into small cubes. Cut the bell pepper into small pieces. Finally, finely chop the red onion. Combine all these veggies in a large mixing bowl. You want the colors to shine. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, and minced garlic. This dressing brings the salad to life. It’s bright and zesty, perfect for the quinoa and veggies. Now, once the quinoa is cool, add it to the bowl with the veggies. Drizzle the dressing over the top. Toss everything gently to mix. Make sure every bite has flavor. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if needed. You might want more salt, pepper, or lemon juice. For the best flavor, consider chilling the salad for about 30 minutes before serving. This lets all the flavors mingle. {{ingredient_image_2}} To make your Lemon Garlic Quinoa Salad even more delicious, consider adding fresh herbs. You can try: - Fresh basil for a sweet, fragrant twist. - Mint for a refreshing note. - Cilantro for a pop of brightness. You can also sprinkle in some spices. A pinch of cumin adds warmth. Smoked paprika gives it a lovely, smoky flavor. Presentation matters! Serve the salad in a large bowl to show off its colors. Garnish with: - Extra parsley leaves for freshness. - Thin lemon slices to brighten the look. - A drizzle of olive oil to give it a shine. These small touches will make your dish look impressive. If you want to switch things up, you can change the quinoa or veggies. Try: - Brown rice or farro instead of quinoa for a different texture. - Roasted sweet potato or zucchini in place of some raw veggies. These choices keep your salad fresh and exciting! You can easily boost the protein in your Lemon Garlic Quinoa Salad. Here are a few options: - Chicken: Grilled or roasted chicken adds a hearty touch. Simply dice it and toss it in. - Chickpeas: These are a great plant-based option. Rinse canned chickpeas and mix them in for extra fiber. - Beans: Black beans or kidney beans work well too. They add both protein and a nice texture. Change up the flavors based on your mood. Here are two fun ideas: - Mediterranean: Add olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and a sprinkle of oregano. This gives a savory twist. - Southwestern: Mix in corn, black beans, and cilantro. A squeeze of lime juice also brightens the dish. Use fresh, seasonal ingredients for a unique touch: - Spring: Add fresh peas and asparagus for a crunchy bite. - Summer: Toss in diced zucchini and sweet corn for a refreshing taste. - Fall: Include roasted butternut squash and cranberries for a cozy flavor. - Winter: Try adding roasted root veggies like carrots or sweet potatoes to warm you up. Pro Tips Rinse the Quinoa: Always rinse your quinoa thoroughly before cooking. This removes the natural coating called saponin, which can give a bitter taste to your dish. Chill for Flavor: Letting the salad sit in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to mix and match your favorite vegetables in this salad. Bell peppers, carrots, and radishes add great color and crunch! Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs like basil or mint can elevate the flavor profile of your salad. Experiment with different herbs to find your favorite combination! {{image_4}} To store your Lemon Garlic Quinoa Salad, place it in an airtight container. Make sure the salad cools before sealing it. This helps keep the flavors fresh. In the fridge, it lasts about three to five days. If you want to enjoy it later, keep it covered to avoid drying out. You can freeze this salad, but it may change the texture. First, store it in a freezer-safe container. Leave some space at the top for expansion. It can stay frozen for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. When reheating, avoid the microwave if you can. Instead, let it come to room temperature. This helps keep the flavors bright. If the salad seems dry, add a splash of olive oil or lemon juice before serving. Toss it gently to refresh the taste. Enjoy your lemon garlic quinoa salad as if it were fresh! This salad lasts about 3 to 5 days in the fridge. To keep it fresh, store it in an airtight container. The flavors will blend and improve as it sits. However, the veggies may lose crunch over time. Yes, you can prepare this salad a day before. To meal prep, cook the quinoa and chop the veggies. Store them separately. Mix them with the dressing just before serving. This keeps everything fresh and tasty. You can add grilled chicken for protein. Chickpeas or black beans work well too. Shrimp also makes a great pairing. These options boost the meal's nutrition and flavor, making it balanced and satisfying. In this blog post, we explored how to make a tasty Lemon Garlic Quinoa Salad. We covered the main and optional ingredients, along with simple steps for cooking quinoa and mixing the salad. I shared tips for enhancing flavors and ways to serve it. Consider substitutions, variations, and storage tips to keep it fresh. This salad is versatile and easy to prepare, making it perfect for any occasion. Enjoy making this healthy dish that can fit any meal!

Zesty Lemon Garlic Quinoa Salad

A refreshing salad with quinoa, vegetables, and a zesty lemon garlic dressing.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed thoroughly
  • 2 cups vegetable broth or water
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • 1 whole cucumber, diced into small cubes
  • 1 whole bell pepper (red or yellow), diced
  • 0.25 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 0.25 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional but recommended)
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • to taste sea salt and freshly cracked pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a medium-sized pot, combine the rinsed quinoa and the vegetable broth (or water). Place the pot over medium heat and bring it to a vigorous boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and allow it to simmer for 15 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed. Once done, remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes. After resting, fluff the quinoa using a fork and set it aside to cool slightly.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, chopped parsley, and crumbled feta cheese (if using). Mix gently until all the vegetables are evenly distributed.
  • In a smaller bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, and a pinch of sea salt and freshly cracked pepper. This will create a bright and zesty dressing.
  • Once the quinoa has cooled, add it to the bowl with the chopped vegetable mixture. Drizzle the dressing over the top and toss everything together gently. Make sure to coat all the ingredients evenly with the dressing.
  • Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice depending on your preference.
  • You can serve the salad immediately; however, for improved flavor, consider refrigerating it for about 30 minutes to let the ingredients mingle and the flavors intensify before serving.

Notes

For improved flavor, refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving.
Keyword healthy, quinoa, salad, vegetarian