Summer Quinoa Salad with Tahini Dressing
This summer quinoa salad with tahini dressing is the perfect meal prepped lunch!
Hi pals, how are we doing? Not going to lie, I had a bit of a bummer morning. Everything I read or listened to made me mad or sad… but then I got a workout and took Luna for a walk, and Elle Woods was RIGHT. Exercise gives you endorphins and endorphins make you happy! It’s amazing what movement can do for my mood. Does anyone else feel this way?
Speaking of exercise, this summer quinoa salad with tahini dressing is the PERFECT lunch to have after a good sweat session. It’s super fresh and healthy – and it’s really easy to meal prep at the beginning of the week. I personally eat the leftovers cold, but you could also let it get to room temperature as well. (Also, how pretty are these bowls?! ?)
Summer Quinoa Salad with Tahini Dressing
ingredients
1 cup dry quinoa (3 cups cooked)
2 cups cherry tomatoes, chopped
1 cup English cucumber, chopped
1/3 cup olives, chopped
1/2 – 1 cup arugula
1/2 cup feta cheese
1/3 cup red onion, diced
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/4 cup tahini
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup water
step one
Cook quinoa according to the package instructions. Let it cool.
step two
Cut the tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and red onions. Add them all to a salad bowl, along with arugula and feta.
step three
In a separate bowl, whisk tahini, lemon, garlic, water, salt, and pepper. If it’s too thick for you, add a little bit more water.
step four
Stir the tahini dressing into the quinoa, and then add the dressed quinoa to the vegetables. Stir to combine.
step five
Top with more fresh cracked pepper and feta cheese.
*This is also great with a drizzle of balsamic reduction over the top!
Change it up!
While I love this recipe as is, you can definitely customize it to make it work for you! Don’t like olives? Leave them out! Do you prefer goat cheese instead of feta? Use that! Here are a few other additions/substitutions that would be great:
- Avocado
- Basil
- Kale
- Chickpeas
- Grapes
- Asparagus
- Tofu
- Chicken
- Carrots
- Sweet potatoes
- Halloumi cheese
Summer Quinoa Salad with Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry quinoa (3 cups cooked)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup English cucumber, chopped
- 1/3 cup olives, chopped
- 1/2 - 1 cup arugula
- 1/2 cup feta cheese
- 1/3 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
1. Cook quinoa according to the package instructions. Let it cool.
2. Cut the tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and red onions. Add them all to a salad bowl, along with arugula and feta.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk tahini, lemon, garlic, water, salt, and pepper. If it's too thick for you, add a little bit more water.
4. Stir the tahini dressing into the quinoa and then add the dressed quinoa to the vegetables. Stir to combine.
5. Top with more fresh cracked pepper and feta cheese.
*This is also great with a drizzle of balsamic reduction over the top!
Notes
Feel free to mix up the ingredients with your favorite vegetables and/or what you have on hand!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 225Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 566mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 4gSugar: 3gProtein: 8g
Want to remember this Summer Quinoa Salad with Tahini Dressing later? Pin the image below!
PS. You might also like Asian Quinoa Salad, Knockoff Portillo’s Chopped Salad, and Kale Caesar Salad.
