Quinoa Salad – WellPlated.com

Quinoa Salad with chickpeas and feta is a feel-good (and taste-good) meal! Fluffy quinoa is tossed with flavorful components like arugula, recent herbs, roasted crimson peppers, and toasted nuts, all in a zippy Mediterranean-inspired dressing. Chickpeas add some additional protein too!

• Contemporary, Fabulous Mediterranean Flavors. After the quinoa is cooked, it’s tossed in one of the best dressing: a flavorful mixture of zippy, recent lemon juice, smoky paprika, and olive oil. Arugula is peppery, roasted crimson peppers add sweetness, and feta brings some salty goodness.
• So Many Methods to Take pleasure in It. Quinoa salad pairs effectively with grilled mains, making it top-of-the-line potluck sides. You possibly can divvy up parts with Baked Hen Breast or Air Fryer Tofu for meal prep lunches, tuck it inside a pita, scoop it up with Home made Naan, or eat it by itself.
• Straightforward to Make and Serve. This wholesome meal comes collectively in half-hour, and quinoa salad might be served chilly or room temperature, so it’s an awesome dish to take on-the-go.

The best way to Make Quinoa Salad

The Elements

• Quinoa. Although technically a seed, quinoa is classed as a complete grain; it’s wholesome and filling.
• Arugula. Non-compulsory, however a good way so as to add extra taste and make it extra salad-like.
• Chickpeas. Chickpeas are an ideal companion to any recent salad, like this Moroccan Chickpea Salad and Mediterranean Chickpea Salad.
• Roasted Pink Peppers. My secret ingredient to make this quinoa salad something however flavorless. You can also make Roasted Pink Peppers from scratch, or use the sort within the jar.
• Nuts. The nuts add a pleasant crunch and make the salad extra satisfying. Almonds, pecans, or pistachios would all be tasty. 
• Cheese. Goat cheese or feta cheese add creaminess and pops of tang. You possibly can omit them to make the quinoa salad vegan.
• Lemon Juice. For the salad dressing.
• Smoked Paprika. A powerhouse ingredient for delivering a bang of taste to the quinoa salad dressing.
• Contemporary Herbs. Use your favourite mixture of parsley, basil, or dill.

The Instructions

1. Prepare dinner Quinoa. Fluff it up when it’s executed cooking.

2. Make the Dressing. Whisk collectively the dressing components; I like to make use of a liquid measuring cup as a result of it makes pouring simpler.

3. Costume the Quinoa. In a big bowl, stir three-fourths of the dressing into the nice and cozy quinoa.

4. Add the Combine-Ins. Stir within the arugula, chickpeas, bell pepper, and three-fourths every of the almonds and goat cheese, and add extra dressing as desired.

5. End. Sprinkle the remaining goat cheese and nuts excessive. Let sit for 10 minutes, and ENJOY!

Add Extra Protein to Quinoa Salad

Whereas this vegetarian quinoa salad is lots filling by itself, be at liberty to throw on a further protein:

Recipe Ideas and Tips

• Toast Your Nuts. This step makes a HUGE distinction in taste. You are able to do it on the stovetop over medium warmth or on a sheet pan within the oven as described beneath. (Simply hold an in depth eye on the nuts so that they don’t burn!)
• Costume the Quinoa Whereas It’s Heat. Pouring the dressing over the quinoa whereas it’s nonetheless heat helps the grains drink up its flavors.
• Prepare dinner the Quinoa Correctly. Right here’s find out how to prepare dinner quinoa, however the tl;dr is: rinse it first, convey it to a boil with the water, prepare dinner it uncovered, then cowl it after it’s executed cooking and the remaining liquid will take in.