Imagine a vibrant, protein-packed salad that transports you straight to the sunny coastlines of the Mediterranean with every single bite! This Chunky Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is not just a meal, it's a culinary adventure that combines fresh, zesty ingredients with wholesome quinoa, creating a dish that's both incredibly delicious and nutritionally powerful. Whether you're a health enthusiast, a flavor seeker, or someone looking for a quick and impressive meal, this recipe is about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup 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 and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce 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 flat plate to speed up cooling and prevent clumping.
- While quinoa is cooling, prepare vegetables: halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber into small cubes, and finely chop red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and gently toss to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
- Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning if needed, and let the salad sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing and nutritious Mediterranean-style salad.
Tips
- • Always rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove its natural bitter coating and ensure a clean, nutty flavor. • Use a large flat plate when cooling quinoa to prevent clumping and achieve the perfect fluffy texture. • For maximum flavor, let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. • Choose ripe, sweet cherry tomatoes and crisp cucumber for the best taste and texture. • Feel free to customize by adding herbs like fresh mint or parsley for an extra flavor boost. • Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice to elevate the dressing's taste. • This salad can be prepared ahead of time and keeps well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 20mg
