Looking for a refreshing and vibrant dish that screams spring? Dive into the delightful world of our Herbed Spring Quinoa Salad! Bursting with colors and flavors, this salad is not just a feast for the eyes but also a nutritious powerhouse. With fluffy quinoa, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and aromatic herbs, every bite is a celebration of freshness. Plus, it's easy to whip up in just 35 minutes, making it the perfect side dish or light meal for any occasion. Get ready to impress your taste buds and elevate your dining experience with this irresistible recipe!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup mint, chopped
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa with vegetable broth. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
- Remove quinoa from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Then fluff with a fork and transfer to a large mixing bowl to cool to room temperature.
- While quinoa is cooling, prepare the fresh vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and finely chop the parsley and mint.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, chopped parsley, and mint to the cooled quinoa.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the quinoa and vegetable mixture, gently tossing to ensure even coating.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the salad and gently fold to distribute.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Chill for 15-20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld, or serve immediately at room temperature.
Tips
- Rinse Your Quinoa: Always rinse quinoa before cooking to remove its natural coating, called saponin, which can impart a bitter taste.
- Use Quality Broth: For maximum flavor, opt for a high-quality vegetable broth. Homemade broth can elevate the taste even further!
- Let It Cool: Allow the quinoa to cool to room temperature before mixing in the veggies and dressing. This prevents wilting and keeps everything crisp.
- Fresh Herbs Matter: Use fresh parsley and mint for the best flavor. Dried herbs won't provide the same vibrant taste.
- Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to add other seasonal vegetables like bell peppers or radishes to make the salad your own.
- Chill for Flavor: Letting the salad chill for 15-20 minutes before serving allows the flavors to meld beautifully, enhancing the overall taste.
- Make It a Meal: To turn this salad into a hearty meal, consider adding grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra protein.
- Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to develop, making it even tastier!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 15mg
