Italian Quinoa Salad
Easy, light Italian Quinoa salad is zesty, crunchy and a huge crowd pleaser. You will love this quick side dish.
Servings: 4
Equipment
- sharp knives
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa *see notes
- ⅓ cup pepperochini peppers *see notes
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
- 1½ cup english cucumber, diced
- 1 cup black olives, sliced *see notes
- ¾ cup summer sausage or salami *see notes
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp dried basil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
- 2 tsp balsamic glaze, storebought *optional
- ⅓ cup feta, crumbled
Instructions
- Start by cooking the quinoa according to the package instructions. Once cooked, fluff it with a fork and let it cool to room temperature. Dice the, olives, cherry tomatoes, English cucumber, red onion. Chop the fresh parsley. Set aside.
- If you're using summer sausage or salami, slice it into cubes. This adds a delightful meaty texture and flavor.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, dried basil.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, diced vegetables including pepperochinis, cheese, chopped parsley, and the sliced sausage or salami. Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together to ensure every bite is coated in the irresistible dressing.
- Plate the quinoa salad in bowls or on a serving platter. Garnish with extra parsley for a burst of color.
Notes
*1 cup raw quinoa yields about 2.5 - 3 cups cooked. Use any color.
*sliced banana peppers will also work.
*any color of olive will work great.
*pepperoni will also work.
Sore any leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days. Be sure to mix well before serving any leftovers. Do not freeze.
Nutrition
Serving: 1.25cup | Calories: 478kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 1451mg | Potassium: 542mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 451IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 122mg | Iron: 3mg