Description
A fresh and vibrant Simple Quinoa Salad that’s easy to prepare in just 25 minutes. This wholesome vegetarian dish features fluffy quinoa cooked in vegetable stock, tossed with a zesty lemon and honey dressing, crisp cucumber, sweet cherry tomatoes, briny olives, creamy feta, and fragrant mint. Perfect as a light lunch or a healthy side for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 200 g Quinoa
- 500 ml Vegetable stock
- 50 g Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 Cucumber, cut into thin semi-circles
- 100 g Pitted olives, halved
- 100 g Feta cheese
- 15 g Fresh mint leaves
Dressing
- Zest of 1 Lemon
- Juice of 2 Lemons
- 6 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Honey
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the quinoa: Rinse the quinoa thoroughly in a sieve under cold running water until the water runs clear. This helps remove any bitterness from the quinoa’s natural coating.
- Cook the quinoa: Add the rinsed quinoa to a pan along with the vegetable stock. Bring it to a gentle simmer, then cover with a lid. Cook for 10-12 minutes until the quinoa is just tender and has absorbed all the stock. If there is any excess liquid, drain it off.
- Make the dressing: While the quinoa is cooking, whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, honey, sea salt, and freshly ground pepper in a large bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Combine quinoa and dressing: Once the quinoa is cooked and drained, add it to the bowl with the dressing. Toss everything together thoroughly. Let it cool for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Add vegetables and cheese: Gently fold in the halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, pitted olives, and crumbled feta cheese into the quinoa mixture. Finish by scattering fresh mint leaves on top for a refreshing aroma and taste.
Notes
- This salad can be served warm or chilled depending on your preference.
- For a vegan version, substitute the feta cheese with vegan cheese or omit entirely.
- Quinoa can be rinsed ahead of time and stored in the fridge for quicker meal prep.
- Adjust the honey quantity based on desired sweetness or substitute with maple syrup for a different flavor profile.
- Use fresh herbs like parsley or basil as alternatives to mint if desired.
