Looking for a refreshing and vibrant dish that’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light summer lunch? Look no further than this Basil Cucumber Quinoa Picnic Salad! Bursting with Mediterranean flavors and packed with nutrients, this salad is not only a feast for the eyes but also a delight for your taste buds. With just 25 minutes of prep and cook time, you can whip up a deliciously healthy meal that will impress your family and friends. Dive into this easy-to-follow recipe and discover how simple it is to create a dish that’s as nutritious as it is delicious!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, cooked
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer to remove any bitter coating.
- In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
- Remove quinoa from heat and let it cool completely, spreading it on a large plate to speed up cooling and prevent clumping.
- While quinoa is cooling, dice the cucumber into small, uniform cubes and halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Finely chop fresh basil leaves, ensuring they are clean and dry before cutting.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled quinoa, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped basil.
- Whisk together olive oil and lemon juice in a small bowl to create a simple dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and gently toss to ensure even coating.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting seasoning as needed.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together before serving.
- Before serving, give the salad a quick toss and garnish with additional fresh basil leaves if desired.
Tips
- Rinse the Quinoa: Always rinse your quinoa thoroughly before cooking to remove its natural coating, called saponin, which can impart a bitter taste.
- Perfectly Fluffy Quinoa: To achieve fluffy quinoa, make sure to let it cool completely after cooking. Spreading it out on a plate helps prevent clumping.
- Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Look for vibrant cucumbers and ripe cherry tomatoes to enhance the salad’s taste and presentation.
- Customize Your Salad: Feel free to add other ingredients like feta cheese, olives, or bell peppers for added flavor and texture. This salad is versatile and can be adapted to your taste!
- Chill for Flavor: Allowing the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes will help the flavors meld together beautifully, making each bite even more delicious.
- Garnish for Presentation: Before serving, give the salad a quick toss and garnish with extra fresh basil leaves to elevate its visual appeal and freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 200kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
