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Easy • Sides

Simple Lemon Herbed Quinoa Salad

A bright and refreshing quinoa salad packed with fresh herbs, vegetables, and a zesty lemon dressing.

Prep
15 min
Cook
15 min
Servings
4
Level
Easy
Simple Lemon Herbed Quinoa Salad

Need a light, healthy, and incredibly flavorful side or lunch that's a breeze to make? Look no further than this Simple Lemon Herbed Quinoa Salad! It's vibrant, packed with good-for-you ingredients, and the zesty dressing brings it all together beautifully. Perfect for meal prep or a fresh dinner component!

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

For the Quinoa

  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed well
  • 2 cups vegetable broth or water
  • 1/2 tsp salt

For the Salad

  • 1/2 English cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

For the Dressing

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cook the quinoa: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa, vegetable broth (or water), and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy. Fluff with a fork and let it cool slightly.

  2. Step 2

    While the quinoa cooks and cools, prepare the vegetables and herbs: dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, finely chop the red onion, parsley, and mint. Set aside.

  3. Step 3

    Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar with a lid, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper until well combined.

  4. Step 4

    Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, diced cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, parsley, and mint. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.

  5. Step 5

    Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve immediately, or chill for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld. This salad is even better the next day!

Tips

  • Rinsing quinoa thoroughly prevents bitterness and helps it cook up fluffier.
  • Add crumbled feta cheese or chickpeas for extra protein and flavor.
  • This salad is fantastic for meal prep; make a big batch and enjoy it throughout the week.
  • Feel free to swap in other quick-cooking vegetables like sun-dried tomatoes or Kalamata olives.

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