Gluten-Free Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad

Bright, refreshing, and naturally gluten-free — this quinoa salad is your new warm-weather go-to. It’s tossed with zesty lemon juice, fresh herbs, crisp cucumbers, and juicy cherry tomatoes, making it both light and satisfying.

And the best part? It gets better as it sits, so it’s perfect for meal prep, lunchboxes, or bringing to a BBQ.

📝 Ingredients

For the Salad:

🥄 1 cup dry quinoa, rinsed
💧 2 cups water
🍅 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
🥒 1 small cucumber, diced
🧅 ¼ red onion, finely chopped
🌿 ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
🌿 ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped
🫒 ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
🫘 ½ cup cooked chickpeas (for extra protein, optional)

For the Lemon Herb Dressing:

🍋 ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
🫒 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
🧄 1 garlic clove, grated or minced
🧂 ½ tsp salt
🌶️ ¼ tsp black pepper
🍯 1 tsp honey or maple syrup

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 🍚 Cook the Quinoa

• Add rinsed quinoa and water to a saucepan.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let steam for 5 minutes.
• Fluff with a fork and let it cool slightly.

2. 🥣 Make the Dressing

• In a small bowl or jar, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and honey until emulsified.

3. 🥗 Combine the Salad

• In a large bowl, mix cooled quinoa with chopped vegetables, herbs, and optional ingredients like chickpeas or feta.
• Pour the dressing over and toss gently until evenly coated.

4. 🌿 Chill & Serve

• Chill for at least 15–30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
• Garnish with extra herbs or a lemon wedge before serving.

📦 Storage & Meal Prep

❄️ Fridge Life: Keeps fresh for 3–4 days in an airtight container.
🔁 Meal Prep Tip: Keep dressing separate until ready to eat for max freshness.
🌱 Make It Vegan: Skip the feta and use maple syrup.

❓ FAQ

Q: Is quinoa naturally gluten-free?
✅ Yes! It’s a seed, not a grain — 100% gluten-free and full of protein.

Q: Can I substitute herbs?
✅ Definitely. Try dill, basil, or cilantro if parsley or mint aren’t your thing.

Q: Can I serve this warm?
✅ Yes. Just mix everything while the quinoa is still warm — it becomes more like a warm grain bowl.

🧠 Pro Tips

🔪 Dice everything evenly — it makes each bite balanced.
🌡️ Let quinoa cool fully if serving cold — prevents wilting the herbs.
🧂 Taste and adjust before serving — sometimes a pinch of salt or squeeze of lemon makes all the difference.