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, contemporary herbs, roasted crimson peppers, and toasted nuts, all in a zippy Mediterranean-inspired dressing. Chickpeas add some further protein too!

• Contemporary, Fabulous Mediterranean Flavors. After the quinoa is cooked, it’s tossed in the perfect dressing: a flavorful mixture of zippy, contemporary 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 Get pleasure from It. Quinoa salad pairs effectively with grilled mains, making it probably the greatest 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 Selfmade Naan, or eat it by itself.
• Straightforward to Make and Serve. This wholesome meal comes collectively in half-hour, and quinoa salad will be served chilly or room temperature, so it’s an incredible dish to take on-the-go.

The best way to Make Quinoa Salad

The Components

• Quinoa. Although technically a seed, quinoa is classed as an entire grain; it’s wholesome and filling.
• Arugula. Optionally available, however a good way so as to add extra taste and make it extra salad-like.
• Chickpeas. Chickpeas are an ideal companion to any contemporary 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 type 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. Cook dinner Quinoa. Fluff it up when it’s accomplished 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 a lot filling by itself, be at liberty to throw on an extra 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 a detailed 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.
• Cook dinner the Quinoa Correctly. Right here’s methods to cook dinner quinoa, however the tl;dr is: rinse it first, carry it to a boil with the water, cook dinner it uncovered, then cowl it after it’s accomplished cooking and the remaining liquid will soak up.