Favorite Greens Quinoa Salad

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This is the time of year when gardens and farmer’s markets are exploding with all things green.

Especially zucchini, cucumbers, and fresh herbs. I love it.

Favorite Greens Quinoa Salad - Cucumber, zucchini, basil, and mint tossed with a sweet-and-tangy honey-lemon vinaigrette! Healthy, easy, ready in 15 minutes, and the best way to eat your greens!!

I combined some of my favorite green vegetables and herbs in this fast, easy, light, and fresh salad. It’s naturally gluten-free, vegan, and you’ll just feel healthier after eating it. I’ve been on a quinoa and tabbouleh kick lately and I couldn’t get enough of this dish. Plus if zucchini and cucumbers are multiplying on your counter, the recipe will take a few off your hands.

It’s a versatile salad and if you want to add avocado, steamed broccoli, peapods, edamame, or other favorites, feel free.

Favorite Greens Quinoa Salad - Cucumber, zucchini, basil, and mint tossed with a sweet-and-tangy honey-lemon vinaigrette! Healthy, easy, ready in 15 minutes, and the best way to eat your greens!!

Apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, dijon mustard really brighten up the dish while basil and mint give it depth and will keep you going back for more. I used a pinch of cayenne which doesn’t make it spicy but adds another dimension of flavor, but it’s optional.

The salad is great right away but it’s a perfect make-ahead recipe because the flavors develop over time and I think it tastes better a day or two after making it. You can either serve it warm or cold and since there’s no mayo it’s a great salad for lunch boxes, picnics, potlucks, and parties.

Favorite Greens Quinoa Salad - Cucumber, zucchini, basil, and mint tossed with a sweet-and-tangy honey-lemon vinaigrette! Healthy, easy, ready in 15 minutes, and the best way to eat your greens!!

Favorite Greens Quinoa Salad - Cucumber, zucchini, basil, and mint tossed with a sweet-and-tangy honey-lemon vinaigrette! Healthy, easy, ready in 15 minutes, and the best way to eat your greens!!

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5 from 1 vote

Favorite Greens Quinoa Salad

By Averie Sunshine
I combined some of my favorite green vegetables and herbs in this fast, easy, light, and fresh salad. It’s naturally gluten-free, vegan, and you’ll just feel healthier after eating it. It’s a versatile salad and if you want to add steamed broccoli, peapods, edamame, or other favorites, feel free. Apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and dijon mustard really brighten up the dish while basil and mint give it depth and will keep you going back for more. The salad is great right away but it’s a perfect make-ahead recipe because the flavors develop over time and I think it tastes better a day or two after making it. You can either serve it warm or cold and since there’s no mayo it’s a great salad for lunch boxes, picnics, potlucks, and parties.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Ingredients  

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa, I used white, cooked according to package directions
  • 1 cup zucchini, diced
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced (I used English because they release less water but regular cucumbers can be used)
  • cup green onions, diced finely (from 2 green onions using both green and white)
  • cup chopped fresh basil leaves
  • cup chopped fresh mint leaves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, I used basil-infused olive oil for extra flavor
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, zest the lemon before juicing it
  • 2 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons honey, use agave to keep vegan
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • pinch cayenne pepper, optional but recommended

Instructions 

  • To a large skillet or saucepan, add the quinoa and cook according to package directions. While the quinoa cooks, prep and chop the remaining ingredients.
  • To a large bowl, add the zucchini, cucumber, green onions, basil, and mint; set aside.
  • To a large glass measuring cup or medium bowl, add the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, dijon mustard, honey, lemon zest, salt, pepper, optional cayenne, and whisk to combine.
  • Pour sauce over the vegetables and stir to combine. (The vinegar, lemon juice, and salt help to soften and ‘cook’ the zucchini over time which is why I don’t sautee it first.)
  • Transfer cooked quinoa to the bowl and stir to combine. Taste, check for seasoning balance, and if necessary add more salt, pepper, more honey, more lemon, etc. Dish can be served warm and immediately or stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The flavors develop over time and it tastes better a day or two after making it, and can either be served warm or chilled but I prefer the leftovers chilled. Note that the vegetables will continue to release their natural water and juices as time passes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 273kcal, Carbohydrates: 40g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Sodium: 741mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 10g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About the Author

Welcome to AverieCooks! Here you’ll find fast and easy recipes that taste amazing and are geared for real life. Nothing fussy or complicated, just awesome tasting dishes everyone loves!

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Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

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Comments

  1. All that green on green goodness just automatically makes for one winner of a salad! This beauty just screams SUMMER and I totally want to whip it up for lunch today! Pinned. :)

  2. I made this last night. It was delicious! Loved this green goddess dressing, but mine came out like more of a paste than a liquid. I had to add more water and oil. Overall, a big hit and I will make it again! Thanks a lot for sharing this recipe.

  3. Averie this is such a unique delicious looking salad!! Love the veggies & herbs that you used here!! Pinned!

  4. Looks delicious! Can you confirm it’s 1 cup of uncooked quinoa (and then cooked), rather than 1 cup of cooked quinoa? Thanks!

  5. I swear you made the FOR ME!!!  I have all these things growing in my garden right this very minute.  Other than fresh lemons (which I meant to buy and forgot, damnit) I have all this stuff here, too!!  (Even the quinoa, which is probably bad I haven’t touched it in forever.)

    Good cold or hot = my kind of salad!

    1. I hope you make this as written (I know you are like me and can’t help yourself but make changes) because I just loved it so much and I know you will too!

  6. Love this salad…youre right it’s perfect to pack for lunch because it’s not heavy with mayonnaise.  I hate
    to eat heavy lunches because the rest of the day just drags..can’t wait to try this.

  7. I love summer season. So delicious veggies and many possibilities. The salad looks delectable!

  8. This is the perfect detox salad, and use your zucchini salad, I love it and also I have salad bowl envy lol, yours are so cute, where do you find them?

    1. All over but mostly thrift stores or antique stores, sometimes places like Anthropolgie, Williams-Sonoma, and others but it’s really a hunt and peck game!

  9. Now that Mel ripped out the zucchini in frustration, our cucumbers are taking off. This salad looks so good and refreshing – I need to get with the quinoa program!

    1. The combo of the zucchini and cucumbers was perfect and the mint and basil, I seriously loved this salad :) That’s too funny about Mel!!

  10. I feel so healthy just LOOKING at these photos! All that green!  
    I’ve actually not even been to the farmers market this year (worst healthy food blogger award goes to me!) but I might need to make a trip, just of this! Pinned!

    1. Well I didn’t actually buy any of this produce at the farmers market but even the regular grocery stores are a joy to shop in this time of year! Thanks for pinning!

  11. Another great looking side dish–and I love basil and mint together! This will be very easy for me because I already have a container of plain cooked quinoa stashed in the freezer.

    1. I loved this, Paula! I have even re-made it since I first made it, and everyone I’ve shared it with has gobbled it up, too!

  12. Wow, Averie! This quinoa salad looks so light, fresh, and delicious! I love that you used basil AND mint…what a winning combination – Pinned!