How to make Protein Packed Greek Quinoa Salad at home?

Greek Quinoa Salad is the ideal make-ahead lunch, side, or main dish since it mixes my favorite Greek Salad recipe with protein-rich quinoa.

This delicious quinoa Greek Quinoa Salad is made with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, peppers, black olives, feta cheese, and of course quinoa.

Greek salads have such vibrant tastes that I keep using them as a base for new recipes. Nobody seems to be able to get enough of anything, from Greek Tortellini Salad to Simple Greek Pasta Salad!

My family really enjoys this Greek salad variation on quinoa salad, but I also frequently prepare a delicious black bean quinoa salad that has my favorite southwest spices like cilantro and cumin! Crisp cucumbers, salty, creamy feta cheese, and juicy tomatoes.

Describe Quinoa.

Quinoa, which is served similarly to rice or barley despite the fact that most people mistakenly believe it to be a grain, is actually a seed. Quinoa can be eaten simply, added to salads, or even used in place of noodles in soups like homemade chicken noodle soup. It has a mildly nutty flavor.

It is free of gluten, making it a popular option for people who are either allergic to or intolerant to gluten (ensure your brand specifically lists that it is GF).

Cooking Quinoa for a Salad

Quinoa is simple to prepare for quinoa salad. Although slightly quicker, the method is fairly similar to cooking rice.

1. Wash the quinoa.
2. In a 2:1 quinoa to water ratio, add the water.
3. When the water is absorbed, simmer for 10 to 15 minutes after bringing it to a boil.
4. Remove from heat, cover, and allow stand for five minutes.

Some people sauté the quinoa in a little olive oil to toast it before adding water. This brings out the quinoa’s nutty flavor.

Seasoning Quinoa Salad

I season this simple quinoa salad simply with salt and pepper and then add my favorite Greek salad components before adding Greek salad dressing for flavor.

Although I choose handmade to store-bought, I occasionally use both! Keep in mind that the quinoa will soak up the dressing, so use enough of it.

Almost any roasted or raw vegetable pairs well with fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro in a quinoa salad. Additionally, we occasionally add diced oven-baked chicken breasts to this salad!

Quinoa Salad

For the ideal dinner, combine a fresh Greek salad with quinoa’s high protein content.

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa uncooked
• 2 cups water or broth
• 1-pint cherry tomatoes diced
• ½ cup red pepper diced
• ½ cup green pepper diced
• 1 cup cucumber diced (about ½ long English cucumber)
• ½ cup black olives sliced
• ¼ cup red onion diced
• 3 ounces feta cheese
• ⅓ cup greek dressing or homemade below
• 1 tablespoon parsley chopped, fresh

Instructions

1. Follow the directions on the quinoa package to prepare it. Cool.
2. Tomatoes, red and green peppers, cucumber, olives, red onion, feta cheese, and dressing should all be
3. combined in a big bowl. Evenly coat by tossing.
4. Mix in the cooled quinoa.
5. Add some fresh parsley as a garnish.

Notes

Whisk together the following ingredients for a homemade dressing:

• Olive oil, 1/3 cup
• Juiced half a lemon
• Red wine vinegar, 2 teaspoons
• 1 sugar pinch
• Oregano, 1 teaspoon
• 1/2 tsp. basil

Nutrition information

Calories: 178 | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 336mg | Potassium: 321mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 755IU | Vitamin C: 34.4mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 1.6mg