Looking for a healthy, light, and nutritious meal? This Quinoa Salad is packed with protein, fiber, and fresh flavors from crunchy vegetables and aromatic herbs.
Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner, this salad can also be served as a side dish for barbecues and picnics.
Not only is it vegan and gluten-free, but it’s also easy to prepare and refreshing. Let’s dive into the recipe!

Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 1 cup quinoa (rinse it well)
• 1 cucumber (diced)
• 1 tomato (diced)
• 1/2 red onion (thinly sliced)
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds (optional)

For the Dressing:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder

Preparation Steps

Step 1: Cook the Quinoa

• Rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold water to remove the bitter coating.
• Cook quinoa as per package instructions (usually 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water).
• Once cooked, let it cool to room temperature.

Step 2: Prepare the Salad

• In a large bowl, combine diced cucumber, tomato, onion, and fresh herbs (cilantro and parsley).
• Add the cooled quinoa and pomegranate seeds.

Step 3: Make the Dressing

• In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, cumin powder, salt, and pepper.

Step 4: Toss and Serve

• Pour the dressing over the quinoa and vegetable mixture.
• Toss everything gently until well-coated.

Pro Tips

• You can add roasted nuts like almonds or walnuts for extra crunch.
• To make it more filling, add some chickpeas or grilled chicken.

FAQs