Description
Herbed Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing is a light, refreshing, and nutritious salad that combines fluffy quinoa, hearty chickpeas, and fresh herbs. Paired with a creamy, tangy lemon tahini dressing, this salad is perfect for a healthy lunch or colorful dinner side, offering a harmonious blend of textures and vibrant flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Lemon Tahini Dressing
- 3 tablespoons tahini
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Water, as needed to thin dressing
Instructions
- Cook the Quinoa: Rinse 1 cup of quinoa under cold water to remove any bitterness. In a pot, combine rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until quinoa is fluffy and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let cool completely before assembling the salad.
- Prepare the Vegetables and Herbs: While the quinoa cooks, finely chop fresh parsley, mint, and cilantro. Dice cucumber into small cubes and halve cherry tomatoes to prepare fresh colorful additions for the salad.
- Make the Lemon Tahini Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons tahini, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, minced garlic clove, salt, and pepper. Add water one teaspoon at a time to reach a creamy yet pourable consistency for easy dressing application.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooled quinoa, rinsed chickpeas, chopped herbs, diced cucumber, and halved cherry tomatoes. Pour the lemon tahini dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Give the salad a final toss before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
- Rinse quinoa properly to prevent bitterness and ensure a clean flavor.
- Cool quinoa thoroughly before mixing to avoid sogginess in the salad.
- Use fresh herbs to enhance aroma and taste significantly.
- Adjust dressing consistency by adding water incrementally to balance creaminess and ease of tossing.
- Letting the salad rest in the fridge for 30 minutes or more improves flavor blending.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Quinoa salad, Chickpea salad, Lemon tahini dressing, Healthy lunch, Vegan salad, Gluten free, Herbed salad
