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Quinoa salad with tahini dressing served
Fresh vegetables and tahini dressing for quinoa base salad

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Vegetarian & Vegan Dishes Appetizers Salads
Quinoa is Inca gold, meeting here with Middle Eastern flavors. This salad is a celebration of textures: tiny quinoa pearls popping under teeth, while cucumber and tomato add freshness. Tahini dressing not only flavors but binds components, making every bite a complete experience.
🕒 Prep Time 15 mins
🍳 Cook Time 15 mins
⌛ Total Time 30 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 320 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Middle Eastern

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Strainer for washing quinoa
  • Pot
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk or fork for dressing

Allergen Information

⚠️ Sesame

Instructions

1 ✓

Place quinoa in fine mesh strainer and rinse thoroughly under hot running water for 1-2 minutes.

Tip: Foaming in water indicates saponin presence. Rinse until water runs clear, otherwise dish remains bitter.
2 ✓

Put quinoa in pot, add double amount of water, salt it. Boil, then simmer covered on low heat 15 minutes until water is absorbed.

Tip: It's done when grains become translucent and little white 'tail' (germ) appears.
3 ✓

Remove from heat, place kitchen towel under lid, and let rest 10 minutes. Then fluff with fork.

Tip: Kitchen towel absorbs excess steam so quinoa becomes fluffy, not sticky mush.
4 ✓

While quinoa cools, dice tomato and cucumber small, chop onion finely, mince parsley.

Tip: Try to cut vegetables close to quinoa grain size for better texture.
5 ✓

For dressing, whisk tahini, lemon juice, crushed garlic, salt, pepper, and oil until smooth. Loosen with little water if too thick.

Tip: Tahini thickness varies, add enough water to get heavy cream consistency.
6 ✓

Toss lukewarm quinoa with vegetables and dressing.

Tip: Let sit 15 minutes before serving so flavors meld.

Recipe FAQ

Why is quinoa bitter?
Seeds have natural protective coating (saponin). This must be removed by thorough hot water rinsing before cooking.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes, quinoa stores well, but mix dressing and vegetables in before consumption.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Quinoa (dry)
  • 5 oz Firm Tomatoes
  • 5 oz English Cucumber
  • 1 medium Red Onion
  • 1 bunch Fresh Parsley
  • 3 tbsp Tahini
  • 3 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 clove Garlic
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper