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Lemon Quinoa Salad with Marinated Vegetables

This is a delicious marinated vegetable salad that is perfect for spring. Using a lemony dressing to marinate the veggies and then adding cooked quinoa for the perfect healthy side dish.

Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 9 cups
Author Denise Wright (MyLifeCookbook.com)

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 1 lemon zested
  • cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed crushed
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 6 cups chopped fresh vegetables (pick crunchier hearty vegetables that will hold up to the marinade)
  • 3 cups cooked quinoa
  • chopped cilantro or parsley to garnish, optional

Instructions

  1. Chop your vegetables into small pieces and add to a large bowl. Choose colorful, crunchy vegetables that you like best. See notes below for suggestions.

  2. In a separate bowl mix your lemon juice, zest, olive oil, garlic, oregano and salt. Whisk well.
  3. Toss your veggies with the dressing and refrigerate for about an hour.

  4. Cook your quinoa according to the packaging directions and let cool.

  5. Once the quinoa has completely cooled, mix it with your marinated vegetables and let set in the refrigerator for an hour.

  6. Top with chopped cilantro, parsley or basil if you wish.
  7. Other possible add ins depending on your taste are: feta cheese, greek olives, blue cheese, roasted nuts or seeds, chicken, shrimp, pasta, rice, and so on.

Recipe Notes

What kind of vegetables to use?

I used 5-6 cups of a variety of vegetables. My suggestion is use colorful, crunchy fresh vegetables that you like. Choose from carrots, celery, red onion, purple cabbage, sweet bell peppers, cucumber, green & yellow zucchini, pink radishes, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.

How long do I have to marinate the vegetables?

I used to marinate the vegetables over night but now I marinate them for about an hour while I make the quinoa and let it cool down. I’ve also made it without marinating the vegetables and it’s still good.

How do you cook quinoa?

This recipe calls for cooked quinoa so you can just follow the directions on the package and let it cool completely before mixing with the rest of the salad.

What else can I do with cooked quinoa?

When I cook quinoa I like to make extra and use it in other recipes like this cranberry orange breakfast quinoa, caribbean chicken quinoa salad or this buffalo chicken quinoa skillet.

What would I serve with this lemon quinoa salad?

This is a very hearty and healthy salad so I would eat it as is for lunch or as a side salad for a summer picnic or party. You can also add cooked chicken or shrimp to make it a whole meal. Lastly try it will grilled burgers, steaks, chicken etc.

What if I don’t like some of the vegetables or herbs?

As I mentioned above you can use any vegetables you like and I would use either parsley or cilantro but if you don’t like either of those don’t use any herbs.

Can I add anything else to this quinoa salad?

Yes, you could try crumbled blue cheese, feta or goat cheese. Try different types of olives, toasted nuts or seeds, marinated artichoke hearts or sun dried tomatoes. And as mentioned above you can try various proteins like cooked shrimp or cooked chicken.

What can I substitute for quinoa?

You could use these lemony marinated vegetables with couscous, pasta or even white rice or cauliflower rice. You could also just eat the marinated vegetables on top sandwiches or fish tacos.