Sunshine Quinoa Salad

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a salad that's actually exciting? Have you ever had an easy quinoa salad that made you say "Wow!"? This one will! It's bursting with fresh flavours and is super good for you.

Brief Overview

Quinoa has been around for centuries. It's a staple in South America. This quinoa salad recipe is dead easy to make, even if you're a novice.

It takes about 35 minutes, start to finish, and makes 4 servings. Perfect for sharing or meal prep salad for the week!

Main Benefits

This salad is packed with protein and fiber. That is great for keeping you full and energized. It's ideal for a light healthy lunch ideas or a summer salad recipes .

What makes it special? The zingy lemon herb dressing! And, of course, it is a great vegetarian quinoa salad .

Ready to dive in? Let's talk ingredients.

Sunshine in a Bowl: Ingredients You'll Need

Quinoa Essentials

First up, you'll need 1 cup of quinoa. Give it a good rinse! I prefer white quinoa. It has a milder flavor.

You'll also need 2 cups of water or veg broth and a dash of salt.

Veggie Patch Goodness

Grab 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes. Half a cup of diced cucumber is great too. Don't forget 1/2 cup of finely diced red onion.

And half a cup of diced bell pepper (any colour!). A quarter cup each of fresh parsley and mint will make it zing.

Zesty Lemon Herb Dressing

For the dressing, you'll want 1/4 cup of olive oil. Three tablespoons of fresh lemon juice is key! Then add one tablespoon of white wine vinegar.

A clove of minced garlic (or 1/2 tsp of garlic powder) adds punch. Finally, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano and 1/2 tsp of dried basil.

Salt and pepper to taste, naturally. Thinking of a vegan quinoa salad option? then omit the feta!.

Making Magic Happen: step-by-step

Cooking the Quinoa Like a Pro

First, rinse that quinoa! Pop it in a saucepan with the water or broth and salt. Bring it to a boil.

Then, simmer on low for 15 minutes. Fluff it with a fork. Let it cool a bit while you prep the rest.

Overcooked quinoa is mushy and no one wants that.

Chopping and Dropping

Chop all your veggies! Tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and bell pepper. Mince the garlic if you're using fresh. Chop your parsley and mint.

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy! This is the quick quinoa salad part.

Dressing it Up

Whisk all the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. Olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.

Give it a good whisk! The lemon herb dressing recipe is the secret weapon here.

Assembling Your Masterpiece

Chuck the cooled quinoa, chopped veggies, and herbs into a big bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and toss it all together gently. If you're using feta, sprinkle it on now.

The Secret Step: Chill Out

Cover the bowl and stick it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Honestly, this makes all the difference! The flavours meld together.

It's pure magic. Taste and add more seasoning if needed.

Enjoy your easy salad recipes !.

Ingredients & Equipment: The Sunshine You Need

Right, let's get down to brass tacks. Making this easy quinoa salad is honestly a breeze. The magic really is in fresh ingredients and a cracking dressing.

This quinoa salad recipe is so versatile. You can chuck in whatever veggies you've got lurking in the fridge. It is one of my favorite healthy lunch ideas .

Main Players: Ingredients Breakdown

Alright, here's what you'll need for this sunshine salad. This is one of the best summer salad recipes , perfect for picnics. It also fits the category of meal prep salad .

• Quinoa: 1 cup ( 185g ), rinsed like you mean it. Trust me on the rinsing bit. Gets rid of any bitterness. I prefer white quinoa, but any kind works!
• Water or Veggie Broth: 2 cups ( 473ml ). Broth adds a bit more flavour, you know?
• Salt: 1/4 teaspoon , plus more to taste.

Next, the lovely fresh bits.

• Cherry Tomatoes: 1 cup ( 140g ), halved. The sweeter, the better, yeah?
• Cucumber: 1/2 cup ( 70g ), diced.
• Red Onion: 1/2 cup ( 75g ), finely diced. Honestly, the finer the better. Nobody wants a massive chunk of onion.
• Bell Pepper: 1/2 cup ( 60g ), diced. Any color is fab.
• Fresh Parsley: 1/4 cup ( 15g ), chopped.
• Fresh Mint: 1/4 cup ( 15g ), chopped.
• Feta Cheese: 1/4 cup ( 35g ), crumbled ( optional ). Makes it a fantastic vegetarian quinoa salad . You can omit this for a vegan quinoa salad option .

Seasoning Secrets

The dressing is what really makes this salad sing! It can also be a great gluten-free quinoa salad .

• Olive Oil: 1/4 cup ( 60ml ), extra virgin. Good quality stuff makes a difference.
• Lemon Juice: 3 tablespoons ( 45ml ), freshly squeezed. Bottled stuff just isn't the same.
• White Wine Vinegar: 1 tablespoon ( 15ml ).
• Garlic: 1 clove , minced. Or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder if you're in a pinch.
• Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon .
• Dried Basil: 1/2 teaspoon .
• Salt and Pepper: To taste.

That's it for the lemon herb dressing recipe . You can easily sub dried herbs with fresh, just double the amount.

Gear Up: Essential Kit

You don't need fancy equipment for this quick quinoa salad , promise! And honestly it's one of the most easy salad recipes you'll ever make.

• Medium Saucepan with Lid: For cooking the quinoa.
• Large Mixing Bowl: For tossing everything together.
• Whisk: For the dressing. A fork works too, though.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Obvs.

That's all folks. Let's get cooking! I swear you will love this easy quinoa salad .

Sunshine Quinoa Salad: Your Weekday Wellness Boost

Fancy a quick quinoa salad that's both healthy and delicious? Then buckle up, buttercup! We're diving headfirst into this amazing Sunshine Quinoa Salad .

Honestly, it's one of my go-to easy salad recipes for lunch. I love how vibrant and refreshing it is, especially during those scorching summer months.

Forget sad desk lunches; this is a proper meal prep salad , ready to brighten up your day.

Prep Like a Pro

Before you even think about turning on the hob, let's get organised. First, gather all your ingredients. We call this mise en place in fancy chef lingo.

Then, rinse your 1 cup of quinoa really well under cold water. Trust me, don’t skip this step. This helps remove that slightly bitter taste.

Also, give all your veggies a good scrub too!

Let's Get Cooking: Quinoa Salad Style

Alright, here's the super simple rundown:

1. Chuck the rinsed quinoa into a saucepan. Add 2 cups of water or veggie broth and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
2. Bring it to a boil, then turn the heat down low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes . Check! All the water should be gone.
3. While the quinoa is cooking, chop up your veggies. 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup of cucumber, 1/2 cup of red onion, and 1/2 cup of bell pepper are the dream team.
4. Whisk together 1/4 cup of olive oil, 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar, minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. That lemon herb dressing recipe is a game changer, right?
5. Combine the cooled quinoa, chopped veggies, and herbs in a bowl. Pour the dressing over and toss gently.
6. Sprinkle with feta if you want or leave it out for a delicious vegan quinoa salad option .
7. Pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes . Seriously, this lets all the flavors mingle and get to know each other.

Pro Tips for Quinoa Salad Greatness

Want to take your vegetarian quinoa salad to the next level? Don't overcook the quinoa. Mushy quinoa is a no-no.

Another one of the summer salad recipes that always make me feel good. And if you are into gluten-free quinoa salad , this is a winner! Oh, I almost forgot! You can totally make the quinoa ahead of time and store it in the fridge for a few days.

It will saves you a lot of time on the run.

Recipe Notes for Your Sunshine Quinoa Salad

Alright, so you’re about to make this sunshine easy quinoa salad . Here's where I spill all the secrets, tips, and tricks I've learned along the way.

Honestly, these little notes are what will take this quinoa salad recipe from good to amazing .

Serving Suggestions: Plating Like a Pro

Presentation matters, right? I always like to serve this easy quinoa salad on a bed of crisp lettuce or spinach.

Adds a bit of freshness and makes it look fancy! For a total summer salad recipe vibe, consider using a clear bowl to show off all those vibrant colours.

A simple grilled chicken breast or some halloumi goes really well. And if you want to be extra , a glass of chilled white wine or homemade lemonade is a fab pairing.

Imagine enjoying this on a warm afternoon bliss! It also works as part of healthy lunch ideas if you divide it into containers for the week.

Storage Tips: Keeping it Fresh

This meal prep salad is your friend. Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It'll happily hang out there for up to 3 days .

Trust me, it tastes even better the next day as the flavours have had time to mingle! I don't recommend freezing this salad, as the veggies will get a bit soggy.

Reheating isn’t really an option either, it's best enjoyed cold!

Variations: Make it Your Own

Want to switch things up? For a vegan quinoa salad option , simply skip the feta. You won't even miss it! For a gluten-free quinoa salad , you’re already winning, as quinoa is naturally gluten-free.

If you fancy a bit of a seasonal twist, swap the bell peppers and tomatoes for roasted butternut squash and cranberries in the autumn.

I did that last year, and oh my gosh , it was divine! Remember, adjust the lemon herb dressing recipe if you add additional ingredients.

Nutrition Basics: Feel Good Food

This quick quinoa salad isn't just tasty; it's good for you too! Quinoa is a complete protein, packed with essential amino acids.

Plus, you're getting a ton of vitamins and minerals from all those lovely veggies. One serving is around 250 calories, with a decent amount of protein, healthy fats, and fibre.

It's basically a nutritional powerhouse!

So there you have it, friend! My tips to make your easy salad recipes journey successful! Have fun making this easy quinoa salad , and don't be afraid to experiment. Happy cooking!