Quinoa Salad
Quinoa Salad with chickpeas and feta is a feel-good (and taste-good) meal! Fluffy quinoa is tossed with flavorful substances like arugula, contemporary herbs, roasted purple peppers, and toasted nuts, all in a zippy Mediterranean-inspired dressing. Chickpeas upload some more protein too!
![the best quinoa salad recipe](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Best-Quinoa-Salad.jpg)
Why You’ll Love This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe
- Contemporary, Fabulous Mediterranean Flavors. After the quinoa is cooked, it’s tossed in the most efficient dressing: a flavorful mixture of zippy, contemporary lemon juice, smoky paprika, and olive oil. Arugula is peppery, roasted purple peppers upload sweetness, and feta brings some salty goodness.
- So Many Tactics to Revel in It. Quinoa salad pairs smartly with grilled mains, making it one of the vital best possible potluck aspects. You’ll divvy up parts with Baked Rooster Breast or Air Fryer Tofu for meal prep lunches, tuck it inside of a pita, scoop it up with Home made Naan, or devour it by itself.
- Simple to Make and Serve. This wholesome meal comes in combination in half-hour, and quinoa salad can also be served chilly or room temperature, so it’s a super dish to take on-the-go.
![seriously quinoa salad in a large bowl](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Seriously-Good-Quinoa-Salad.jpg)
5 Celebrity Evaluation
“I made this quinoa salad the previous day and it’s scrumptious!”
— Susan —
Tips on how to Make Quinoa Salad
The Elements
- Quinoa. Even though technically a seed, quinoa is classed as a complete grain; it’s wholesome and filling.
- Arugula. Not obligatory, however a good way so as to add extra taste and make it extra salad-like.
- Chickpeas. Chickpeas are a super spouse to any contemporary salad, like this Moroccan Chickpea Salad and Mediterranean Chickpea Salad.
- Roasted Purple Peppers. My secret element to make this quinoa salad the rest however flavorless. You’ll make Roasted Purple Peppers from scratch, or use the type within the jar.
- Nuts. The nuts upload a satisfying crunch and make the salad extra enjoyable. Almonds, pecans, or pistachios would all be tasty.
- Cheese. Goat cheese or feta cheese upload creaminess and pops of tang. You’ll forget them to make the quinoa salad vegan.
- Lemon Juice. For the salad dressing.
- Smoked Paprika. A powerhouse element for handing over a bang of taste to the quinoa salad dressing.
- Contemporary Herbs. Use your favourite mixture of parsley, basil, or dill.
The Instructions
![how to cook quinoa for quinoa salad](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/How-to-Make-Quinoa-Salad-2.jpg)
- Prepare dinner Quinoa. Fluff it up when it’s performed cooking.
![quinoa salad dressing](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/How-to-Make-Quinoa-Salad-1.jpg)
- Make the Dressing. Whisk in combination the dressing substances; I love to make use of a liquid measuring cup as it makes pouring more uncomplicated.
![quinoa for quinoa salad](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/How-to-Make-Quinoa-Salad-4.jpg)
- Get dressed the Quinoa. In a big bowl, stir three-fourths of the dressing into the nice and cozy quinoa.
![toppings for quinoa salad recipe](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/How-to-Make-Quinoa-Salad-5.jpg)
- Upload the Combine-Ins. Stir within the arugula, chickpeas, bell pepper, and three-fourths every of the almonds and goat cheese, and upload extra dressing as desired.
![zesty quinoa salad with greens](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/How-to-Make-Quinoa-Salad-6.jpg)
- End. Sprinkle the remainder goat cheese and nuts excessive. Let sit down for 10 mins, and ENJOY!
![quinoa salad with feta](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Zesty-Quinoa-Salad.jpg)
Upload Extra Protein to Quinoa Salad
Whilst this vegetarian quinoa salad is lots filling by itself, be happy to throw on an extra protein:
- Rooster. Batch make Grilled Rooster Tenders or see Tips on how to Prepare dinner Rooster Breast, then slice and best your salads all week.
- Salmon. Baked Salmon is very easy it must infrequently be known as cooking. Salmon on best of the quinoa salad would make for a real energy meal.
- Steak. Air Fryer Steak could be stunning sight on best of the quinoa salad with chickpeas.
- Tofu. Stay your quinoa salad vegetarian by means of including my reader favourite Crispy Tofu.
![easy and quick quinoa salad](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Easy-Quinoa-Salad.jpg)
Recipe Guidelines and Tips
- Toast Your Nuts. This step makes a HUGE distinction in taste. You’ll do it at the stovetop over medium warmth or on a sheet pan within the oven as described underneath. (Simply stay a detailed eye at the nuts so that they don’t burn!)
- Get dressed the Quinoa Whilst It’s Heat. Pouring the dressing over the quinoa whilst it’s nonetheless heat is helping the grains drink up its flavors.
- Prepare dinner the Quinoa Correctly. Right here’s learn how to prepare dinner quinoa, however the tl;dr is: rinse it first, convey it to a boil with the water, prepare dinner it exposed, then quilt it after it’s performed cooking and the remainder liquid will take in.
![the best quinoa salad recipe](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Best-Quinoa-Salad-268x268.jpg)
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Quinoa Salad
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Elements
- 1 cup raw quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt divided
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice about 1 medium lemon
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup tightly packed child arugula non-compulsory
- ¼ cup loosely packed chopped contemporary parsley basil, dill, or different cushy, delicate herbs (or a combination!)
- 1 can diminished sodium chickpeas rinsed and tired
- 1 14-ounce jar roasted purple peppers, tired, patted dry and diced (about 1 cup)
- ¾ cup slivered sliced, or kind of chopped toasted almonds, chopped toasted pecans, or roasted pistachios*, divided
- ¾ cups crumbled goat cheese or feta about 4 oz., divided
Directions
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Rinse and drain the quinoa smartly (this eliminates the every now and then sour flavor). Position in a medium saucepan with the water and 1 teaspoon salt. Convey to a boil, then scale back the warmth and simmer gently exposed, adjusting the warmth as had to deal with a steady simmer, till the quinoa has absorbed lots of the water, is delicate (however no longer delicate), and you spot the little spiral poking out of every grain, about quarter-hour. Quilt, take away from the warmth, and let sit down 5 mins. Discover, fluff with a fork, then switch to a big blending bowl and let cool.
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In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup with a spout, stir in combination the oil, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and closing 1/2 teaspoon salt. Spoon about two-thirds over the quinoa whilst the quinoa continues to be just a little heat. Stir to mix.
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Upload the arugula, chickpeas, bell pepper, and three-fourths every of the almonds and goat cheese. Style and stir in a couple of extra spoonfuls of dressing as desired.
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Sprinkle the remainder goat cheese excessive. If time lets in, let sit down 10 mins for the flavors to take in, or refrigerate for 4 hours. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Video
Notes
- TO STORE: Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic garage container for as much as 1 week.