Description
A refreshing and protein-packed Mediterranean quinoa and lentil salad featuring a mix of fresh vegetables, tangy lemon dressing, and optional creamy feta cheese. Perfect for a healthy vegetarian meal that’s easy to prepare and serves well chilled or at room temperature.
Ingredients
Scale
Grains and Legumes
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 cup cooked green or brown lentils, drained
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Cheese (Optional)
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Quinoa: Combine the rinsed quinoa and water or vegetable broth in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for 15 minutes until the liquid is fully absorbed.
- Let Quinoa Rest: Remove the pan from heat and let the quinoa stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff it gently with a fork and allow it to cool slightly before mixing.
- Prepare the Salad Base: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, drained lentils, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, finely chopped red onion, and chopped parsley. If using feta cheese, add it now.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until well combined and emulsified.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and gently toss everything together until the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve: Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature as a wholesome, protein-rich meal or side dish.
Notes
- This salad keeps very well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it perfect for meal prep.
- You can enhance the salad by adding avocado or roasted vegetables for extra texture and flavor.
- For a dairy-free option, swap the feta cheese with a plant-based alternative or simply omit it.
