Are you craving a refreshing, healthy, and incredibly delicious salad that takes just 30 minutes to prepare? Look no further! This Light Lemony Quinoa Salad is about to become your new favorite go-to dish that combines nutritious quinoa with crisp, vibrant vegetables and a tangy lemon dressing. Perfect for health-conscious foodies, busy professionals, and anyone looking to add a burst of flavor and nutrition to their meal repertoire, this recipe is a game-changer that will make your taste buds dance and your body thank you!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Healthy
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by rinsing the quinoa under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer. This helps remove the natural bitterness of the quinoa.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the quinoa simmer for about 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy.
- While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Dice the cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion into small, even pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion. Set aside.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to create a dressing.
- Once the quinoa is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. Then, fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool slightly.
- Add the warm quinoa to the bowl with the diced vegetables. Pour the dressing over the quinoa and vegetables.
- Gently toss all the ingredients together until the quinoa and vegetables are well coated with the dressing.
- Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve the salad at room temperature or chilled, garnished with additional lemon zest or fresh herbs if desired.
Tips
- Always rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove its natural saponin coating, which can taste bitter.
- Use a fine-mesh strainer when rinsing to prevent quinoa from slipping through.
- Let quinoa rest after cooking to achieve the perfect fluffy texture.
- For extra flavor, consider toasting quinoa in a dry pan for 1-2 minutes before cooking.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest, most vibrant dressing.
- Chop vegetables into uniform, small pieces for the best texture and even distribution.
- This salad tastes even better after sitting for an hour, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Feel free to add protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas to make it a complete meal.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Experiment with different herbs like mint or parsley for added freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
