A healthy superfood Quinoa Salad packed with garbanzo beans, roasted peppers, onion and feta cheese. Add some grilled chicken or shrimp for the ultimate healthy salad!
Yesterday was a whirlwind day of unintentional phallic Bloody Mary drinks (check my Instagram feed if you’re wondering), lots of searching for sea animals at the beach and eating lobster truffle mac n’ cheese! So it seems appropriate to start a new week with a healthy salad, just like this Quinoa Salad with Feta Cheese!
Quinoa which has been around for thousands of years, is now classed as a superfood. It’s packed with protein and low in fat and calories so it’s pretty much the perfect grain to use for healthy side dishes and salads or even soups!
It’s no secret that I really like grain salads and most of them on my blog are results of fridge clean ups believe it or not. There’s not many ways to screw things up using some simple veggies, a little cheese and some olive oil and lemon or balsamic.
Like this grilled chicken rice bowl or maybe a huge platter of pan-seared scallops with an orange mango salsa? or glorious Garlic Shrimp.
There’s many different forms of quinoa though they all have pretty much the same nutritional content.
Flavor is the easiest way to tell the difference. Paler colors of quinoa will have less flavor than the darker versions. I used a white quinoa which tastes great but you can use any color you like.
Fresh cilantro, roasted peppers, garbanzo beans are all tossed with the quinoa and a garlic and lemon dressing. Super easy, healthy, tasty and less waste in your fridge!
This is one of my favorite summer recipes and I always make it for pot luck parties. Everyone loves it and I always end up being asked for the recipe!
Best salad ever!
Here are some of my other favorite quinoa salad recipes!
Healthy Quinoa Salad with Feta Cheese and Mixed Vegetables
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 14 ounces garbanzo beans drained
- 1/2 cup red roasted peppers sliced into thin strips
- 1/4 cup yellow roasted peppers sliced into thin strips
- 3 tbsp thinly sliced onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
For The Dressing
- 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp fred wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp fresh minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 1/3 cup olive oil
Instructions
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Place the quinoa and water in a pot and cook according to the instructions on the pack, about 15 minutes. Let cool in the fridge.
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Make the dressing while the quinoa is cooling.
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Place all of the dressing ingredients in a blender or food processor except for the oil.
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Pulse on high speed until well mixed.
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Slowly drizzle in the olive oil with the machine on high and blend until the dressing starts to emulsify. Set aside.
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Once the quinoa is cool, transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
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Add the garbanzo beans, peppers, onion, cilantro and feta.
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Gently toss together then start to add the dressing.
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Once the dressing has been added toss again and transfer to a serving bowl.
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Add some more cilantro or feta to garnish.
Serve at once or keep in the fridge until ready to use.
Recipe Video
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Love this salad for summer picnics and BBQs!
Whitney @ The Newlywed Chefs says
This looks like the perfect summer salad. I love the balance of fresh flavors and the addition of feta! Yum!
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says
This looks amazingly delicious, nutritious and perfect for spring!!
Kitchen Belleicious says
so colorful and fun looking who in the world would not want to sink there teeth or rather fork into it! I mean it screams summertime!
sippitysup says
It is indeed summer in Los Angeles (already!). GREG
Sarah & Arkadi says
lovely spring salad! love feta cheese!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Can’t get enough of quinoa! This looks scrumptious.
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite says
This is absolutely beautiful and I love the freshness of this salad.
Cookin Canuck says
It sounds as though you guys had a wonderful Mother Day. And that bloody Mary looks fantastic (phallic or not). This quinoa salad is exactly the sort of thing I could happily bring to every summer potluck (and then eat half of it myself).
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
Wow what a Mom’s Day. Fun! I like your comment that you can’t screw up on this kind of a salad. Yay! I am scheduled for a barbeque this Sat. I normally take potato salad, But ya know, I am going to branch out!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
I love everything about this salad!!! From the quinoa to the roasted red peppers to the feta! must make!
Michelle @ Healthy Recipe Ecstasy says
I am so into this salad!!!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
I didn’t realize Quinoa had been around that long. But it sure is the grain of the year these days. What works out, its actually good. My first introduction was via a salad and I was hooked. This is another great version of the versatile grain.
Jess M says
This salad is delicious! I just made it for a party tonight. I had a few spoonfuls to check on the taste, and I love the tangy dressing but a little sweetness from the red peppers. Thanks for sharing!
foodnessgracious says
Thanks Jess I appreciate it and glad you liked it :)
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says
That is one gorgeous salad! What a fun new twist on the usual-boring quinoa salads! Stunning photos! :)
foodnessgracious says
Thanks Sarah!
Kelly @ Nosh and Nourish says
I love everything about this salad!!! YUM.
foodnessgracious says
Awesome Kelly!
Aggie says
Loving the tricolor quinoa, I will have to look for it! This is my kind of eating!! Looks delicious.
Maz says
Do you have any recommended substitute for the red and yellow peppers to make it different?
foodnessgracious says
Hi Maz, maybe try some zucchini or carrots?
foodnessgracious says
thanks everyone!
Rebecca says
Are you fricken kidding me?!?!?! I pinned this receipe about two years ago and just made it tonight. What am I stupid?!?!?! I could have been eating this deliciousness every week for that long!!!!! I used fresh bell peppers and mixed with baby spring mix and baby spinach. LOVED IT!!!
Maria says
I could eat this every day!
Lexi says
Gorgeous salad!!
lindsay Cotter says
love the look of this! light and fluffy and feta addition is perfecto
Erin says
This is my kind of quinoa salad!