Italian Quinoa Salad

January 12, 2018 16 Comments

New Year, New Recipes! I’ve written a few posts since 2018, but this is my first new recipe of the year. Since I am making an effort to be less decadent this year (just less, I’m not giving anything up, ha!), I wanted to kick off this year’s recipes with a satisfying, incredible and healthy Italian quinoa salad. Quinoa is a favorite of mine, and I love to use it in salads. This was so quick and easy to make too.

I cooked the quinoa first since it took the longest. It cooked in chicken stock for lots of flavor, but vegetable stock would work too to keep this Italian quinoa salad completely vegetarian. I just had the chicken stock on hand and wanted to use it.
While the quinoa cooked, I prepared the rest of the ingredients for the Italian quinoa salad. I used lots of mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and spinach, which are basically like my personal holy trinity of Italian cooking. It’s my favorite combination!
The dressing for this salad also came together really quickly and easily. I just whisked olive oil into a gorgeous combination of lemon zest, lemon juice and Dijon mustard. The lemon juice acted like a vinegar to make such a wonderful and bright tasting lemony vinaigrette.
Finally, I tossed the quinoa, vegetables and dressing together. I had lots of options from there. I could serve it warm immediately, or let it sit at room temperature. It also keeps for a day sealed in the refrigerator, so it is perfect to make ahead. I tried all three ways and they are all wonderful!

This Italian quinoa salad was such a perfect, healthy way to kick off my recipes of 2018. I hope you all love it as much as we did here! xoxo

Italian Quinoa Salad
Italian Quinoa Salad
Italian Quinoa Salad
Italian Quinoa Salad

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5 from 2 votes
Italian Quinoa Salad
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Italian Quinoa Salad
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 

This is such a refreshing, simple and wonderful Italian quinoa salad. It's satisfying without being heavy for a light lunch or start to dinner.

Course: Salad
Keyword: Quinoa Salad
Servings: 4
Calories: 381 kcal
Author: Jeanie and Lulu's Kitchen
Ingredients
FOR THE SALAD
  • 2 1/4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 1/4 cups uncooked quinoa
  • 1 dash olive oil
  • 8 ounces white mushrooms thinly sliced
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup baby spinach packed
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 pinch garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
FOR THE DRESSING
  • 1 whole lemon zested and juiced
  • 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
Instructions
  1. First, cook the quinoa. Get out a medium sauce pan and bring the stock to a boil in it on the stove. Once it is boiling, stir in the quinoa. Put a lid on the pot and turn the heat to low. Let the quinoa cook for 12-15 minutes, until it is tender and the little tendrils pop out. When it is done, fluff it up with a fork. While the quinoa cooks, prepare the rest of the salad. Get out a skillet and heat the olive oil in it over medium high heat. Add the mushrooms and tomatoes and let them cook until tender for about 6-7 minutes. Then add in the spinach and let it just wilt in, followed by the seasoning of salt, pepper and garlic powder. Finally, add the cheese to melt in. Stir it all together well and set it aside.
  2. Make the easy dressing next. Whisk the lemon zest, lemon juice and Dijon together in a bowl thoroughly. Then slowly pour in the olive oil while you keep whisking until you have a gorgeous, pale yellow dressing. Take the quinoa and the dressing and stir them both into the skillet of vegetables. Then you have three options. You can serve it warm immediately, leave it out and serve it at room temperature, or chill it in a sealed container for up to a day ahead of time! It's so versatile.
Nutrition Facts
Italian Quinoa Salad
Amount Per Serving (1 bowl)
Calories 381 Calories from Fat 196
% Daily Value*
Fat 21.8g34%
Saturated Fat 3.8g24%
Cholesterol 5mg2%
Sodium 120mg5%
Potassium 543mg16%
Carbohydrates 37.9g13%
Fiber 4.9g20%
Sugar 1.4g2%
Protein 11.9g24%
Calcium 80mg8%
Iron 4.3mg24%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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16 thoughts on “Italian Quinoa Salad”

  2. This is a great idea! I’m not usually a fan of quinoa, but this looks too delicious to not try. Thanks for the recipe!

  4. This looks delish! I am a big fan of quinoa and am always looking for new recipes to try! This one is going on my shopping list to buy for this week’s grocery and recipe run!
    Thank you!

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5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)