Description
Discover the vibrant flavors of summer with our Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, part of the collection “50+ Easy Summer Dinners.” This refreshing dish is perfect for warm evenings and gatherings, combining wholesome ingredients like quinoa, chickpeas, and seasonal vegetables. In just 30 minutes, you can prepare a colorful salad that’s not only delicious but also packed with nutrients. Whether served as a main dish or a side, this versatile recipe will elevate your summer dining experience. Enjoy the ease of preparation and the burst of flavors that will keep your family and friends coming back for more!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 medium red onion, chopped
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium cucumber, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, halved
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 large lemon
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa in a fine-mesh colander under cold water to remove bitterness.
- In a saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa with water and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes.
- While quinoa cooks, chop red onion, cucumber, yellow bell pepper; halve cherry tomatoes and kalamata olives; rinse chickpeas.
- In a bowl or jar, combine lemon juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, chopped basil, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake until blended.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa with all vegetables and chickpeas. Drizzle dressing over salad and mix well. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Let salad rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg