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Healthy Quinoa Salad

This fresh and healthy protein rich quinoa salad makes a great lunch or dinner. It is also a great side dish to any meal.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Salads, vegan, vegetarian
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: breakfasts, healthy, quinoa, salads
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • 1 sauce pan
  • 1 mixing bowl
  • 1 whisk

Ingredients

For salad dressing

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ tsp oregano dried
  • ½ tsp basil dried
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper ground

For the Salad

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1 cup bell pepper diced
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • ¼ cup onion diced
  • ¼ cup black beans cooked
  • ¼ cup fresh basil or cilantro torn
  • ¼ cup olives
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • ½ cup feta cheese more for sprinkling

Instructions

  • Add all the ingredients for the dressing to a small bowl and whisk or mix well till combined. Keep it aside.
  • In a mixing bowl, add quinoa, black beans, bell peppers, cucumber, onions, tomatoes, feta and basil.
  • Drizzle the dressing all over and toss well. Taste and adjust the salt. Sprinkle more crumbled feta on top(optional), Cover with a plastic wrap or plate and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  • Serve as a lunch or dinner, even for a snack or side to any meal.

Notes

  1. You may add cooked or boiled chick peas or any beans.
  2. If feta not available, use grated mozzarella cheese. Tastes good even without any cheese.
  3. Mix and match with other ingredients other veggies and nuts & seeds for variations.
  4. You may use black or green olives.
  5. You can increase the black beans quantity, to your taste.