Your Daily Dose of Delicious: Quick & Zesty Quinoa Salad

Tired of the same old lunch? Let’s brighten up your midday meal with a recipe that’s as vibrant and energizing as it is healthy! This Zesty Quinoa Salad is packed with plant-based protein, fresh veggies, and a lemon-tahini dressing you’ll want to put on everything.

It’s the perfect make-ahead meal for busy weekdays. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free and easily made vegan!

---

Zesty Quinoa Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

Yields: 4 servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• For the Salad:
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
  • 2 cups water or vegetable broth
  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 large cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional, omit for vegan)
• For the Lemon-Tahini Dressing:
  • 1/3 cup tahini
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the Quinoa: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and water (or broth). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool.
2. Make the Dressing: While the quinoa cooks, whisk together all the dressing ingredients (tahini, water, lemon juice, maple syrup, garlic, salt, and pepper) in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time to reach your desired consistency.
3. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, chickpeas, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and parsley.
4. Dress and Serve: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine everything. Top with crumbled feta if using.
5. Enjoy! Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors get even better over time!

Pro-Tip: For an extra crunch, add a handful of toasted pumpkin seeds or chopped almonds before serving!

---

Give this recipe a try and let me know how you like it in the comments. Don’t forget to save this post for your next meal prep session!

#HealthyRecipe #RecipeOfTheDay #CleanEating #QuinoaSalad #MealPrep #HealthyLunch #VeganRecipes #GlutenFree #EasyDinner #Foodie #HealthyLifestyle #EatWell