Vegan Quinoa Salad

5 from 2 votes

This vegan quinoa salad can be served as a main dish by itself because it is loaded with protein, fiber and tastes great too.

Prep Time20

Cook Time15

Total Time35

Method: Mixing

Course: Salads

Servings: 6 Servings

Ingredients

Ingredients for Salad:

3 cups quinoa cooked
1 and ½ cups corn
1 cup chickpeas cooked
½ cup black olives sliced, coarsely chopped
½ cup zucchini diced
½ cup cilantro finely chopped
1 medium size tomato finely chopped
1 medium size red onion finely chopped
1 medium size carrot grated

Ingredients for the Dressing:

¼ cup olive oil extra-virgin
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 count garlic clove finely minced
¼ teaspoon red chili powder
As needed salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large bowl, toss together the salad ingredients.
Measure the oil in a measuring cup and add the rest of the dressing ingredients to it and whisk it well.
Pour the dressing over the salad and combine well. Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for the flavors to develop.

Notes

I used ¾th cup of dry quinoa. Rinse it a couple of times to get rid of the nutty flavor. Cook it 1 and ½ cups boiling water. Add a pinch of salt and little olive oil while the quinoa is cooking. Close the lid and cook it at medium heat for 15 minutes. After about 13 minutes remove the lid and let the remaining water evaporate. Rinse the cooked quiona under running tap water and drain it in a colander. This will ensure that the grain does not become sticky. Cool down the drained quinoa by spreading it on a large plate.
The measurements for the vegetables used can be increased or decreased to suit your taste and what's available in your fridge.
Fresh or frozen corn kennels can be used. I cooked frozen corn for about 2 minutes in the microwave oven and mixed it with rest of the ingredients.
You can use any herb instead of cilantro. Basil, parsley, mint are very good substitutes.
I chopped the sliced olives because I wanted to have the olive taste and flavor throughout the salad.

Taste & Texture

This quinoa salad tastes better the more it sits and absorbs all the flavors. So it's a very good "make-ahead" kind of recipe. Make the previous night and take it for lunch the next day and you save on time and have a filling, healthy lunch too. Add avocado cubes to make it, even more, heart healthy and tofu to pump up the protein. Paneer cubes can also be included if you don't want to keep it vegan.

Nutrition