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Zesty Quinoa Salad
This zesty quinoa salad with chickpeas and feta cheese is packed with flavor, texture, and goodness. It's a very simple salad to pull together, and is filling and healthy. You'll make this on repeat!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 275 kcal
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Ingredients
For the dressing
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon balsalmic vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- pinch black pepper
For the salad:
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed well 160g
- 2 cups water
- 2 cucumbers, diced small
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green apple, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 400g
- 1/2 cup parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled Feta cheese
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
For the dressing:
- Whisk together all the dressing ingredients until smooth and combined. Set aside.
Cup of Yum
For the salad:
- Combine the rinsed quinoa and the water in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then decrease the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered, until the quinoa has absorbed all of the water, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let the quinoa rest for 5 minutes, to give it time to fluff up. Cool to room temperature.
- In a serving plate, add the cucumbers, bell pepper, green apple, red onion, chickpeas and parsley. Toss to combine. Add the cooled cooked quinoa and mix to combine.
- Drizzle the dressing on top of the salad, and toss to combine.
- Sprinkle the dried cranberries and feta on top, and serve.
Notes
- Storing leftovers:
- Leftover salad will store dressed for 2 days in an air tight container in the fridge, while undressed quinoa salad will last for 4 days.
- Rinse the quinoa before cooking to get rid of any bitter flavor.
- Cook the quinoa in advance to save time. You can also make the salad dressing in advance and store in a jar in the fridge, taste the dressing and adjust for seasoning.
- Add any a more well rounded meal.extra veggies you like, or top the finished salad with grilled chicken or salmon to make this
Nutrition Information
Calories
275kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
33g
(11%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
14g
(22%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
Cholesterol
11mg
(4%)
Sodium
346mg
(14%)
Potassium
398mg
(11%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
11g
(22%)
Vitamin A
766IU
(15%)
Vitamin C
31mg
(34%)
Calcium
98mg
(10%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 275
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 275kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 33g | 11% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 11mg | 4% |
| Sodium | 346mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 398mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 766IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 31mg | 34% |
| Calcium | 98mg | 10% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.