Description
Experience the essence of summer with this vibrant Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, part of the collection of 50+ Easy Summer Dinners. This dish is a celebration of fresh, wholesome ingredients that come together in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal option for busy evenings or casual gatherings. The combination of protein-packed quinoa and chickpeas, along with crisp vegetables and aromatic herbs, creates a nourishing meal that’s as satisfying as it is colorful. Perfectly suited for meal prep, this salad can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, allowing you to savor summer’s bounty with ease.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 can chickpeas (rinsed and drained (15 ounces))
- 1 medium red onion
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives (cut in half)
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- The juice of 1 large lemon
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup basil leaves
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa in a fine-mesh colander; cook with water and salt in a saucepan until fluffy (about 15 mins).
- Chop red onion, cucumber, and bell pepper; halve cherry tomatoes and olives.
- Mix dressing ingredients (olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, basil) in a bowl.
- Combine cooled quinoa with chopped vegetables and drizzle dressing on top; mix well.
- Allow the salad to rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg