This post has been sponsored by NOW Foods. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you’re looking for a super simple and fresh summer side dish, this Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad is just what you need! This zesty herb and lemon quinoa salad is perfect to pair with summer BBQ meals and so refreshing. Tri-color quinoa, lemon herb vinaigrette and plenty of fresh veggies combine for a light, cool and delicious salad to enjoy all summer long.
When it comes to summer cooking, the simpler the better! Once those temperatures start warming up, the last thing that I want to do is be stuck sweating behind a stove forever or to have to turn on my oven. Most days, we use our grill and pair up a lean protein with a side salad and this salad has been a weekly staple for the last few weeks. Aside from being quick and easy to make, it’s a great summer side option as it’s served cool and can easily be modified depending on what veggies you have on hand or your preferences.
Most weeks, I make a large batch of NOW Foods Tri-Color Quinoa on the weekend to use throughout the week. I’m the queen of meal prep and find that taking a bit of time over the weekend to prepare food for the week leads to my family eating healthier during our busy weekday. I take half of the quinoa to make this lemon herb quinoa salad and save the other half to make a one pan meal (it pairs perfectly with this Chipotle Chicken). Since I prefer this salad cold, I’ll often cook my quinoa a day ahead and simply have to add the rest of the ingredients an hour or so before our meal.
While I like all types of quinoa, I really love using the tri-color quinoa, which is a delightful blend of red, white and black quinoa, that creates a great medley of flavors. The tri-blend has a light flavor with a slight nutty undertone that makes it a great substitute for rice or to add to casseroles, soups and salads or you can even make some yummy sliders.
This summer inspired zesty quinoa salad is a great way to use up all of summer’s bounty! I often find myself swimming in produce and herbs and this is a simple way to enjoy all that yummy fresh garden goodness. Tomatoes, onion, cucumbers, sweet peppers, zucchini and more all go well with the lemon dressing. While I usually use parsley as my herb of choice (similar to a tabouleh salad), you can substitute with cilantro (I’d swap out lemon juice for lime juice) or even add a handful of basil for a twist. It’s also a great gluten-free and dairy free side dish for those with sensitivities or allergies!
Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa rinsed well
- 2 cup water
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup cucumber quartered and sliced into 1/4" pieces
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup red onion diced
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 3-4 Tbsp lemon juice fresh is best
- 1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring 2 cups of water to boil. Add rinsed quinoa, turn heat to low and cover. Cook for 15 minutes or until water is gone. Cool quinoa in refrigerator.
- Once quinoa is cooled, add remaining ingredients and mix well. Serve!
Notes
What’s your favorite summer side dish?
For more great NOW inspired recipes, check out the posts below!
I love quinoa so much! I’m always searching for new healthy lunches. I’ll have to give this a go soon 🙂 I love the added lemon juice!
This is such a great idea. I never think to add my quinoa to dishes like this. 🙂
Now I know what I’m bringing to the 4th of July party next week! Looks beautiful and delish!
Yum! This Salad looks soooo delicious! Can’t wait to try this.