Vegan Lemon Garlic Mediterranean Quinoa (Salad OR Warm)
This pantry-friendly vegan Mediterranean quinoa salad recipe is delicious served warm or chilled. Lemon garlic quinoa is packed with protein, fiber, and lots of vegetables. Creamy white beans, kale, tomatoes, and olives all marry in a lemon garlic quinoa dressing for ultimate flavor. Enjoy this grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan quinoa salad!
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 378kcal
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups of uncooked quinoa
- 6 cups of vegetable broth
- 1 ½ cups of thinly sliced Kale leaves, packed
- ⅛ cup of extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic pressed
- 1 (15-ounce) can of white beans
- 2 roma tomatoes diced
- ½ cup of kalamata olives sliced
- 2-3 Tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small stockpot, bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Add quinoa and boil for 14 minutes, adding sliced kale during the last 5 minutes. Drain well in a fine-mesh strainer and transfer to a large bowl.
- In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add garlic and cook, stirring frequently for 1 minute. Pour this over the warm quinoa and mix well.
- Add remaining ingredients and toss to combine. Serve hot.
Video
Notes
- Optionally toast the quinoa: To enhance the nutty flavor of the quinoa, you can lightly toast it in the pan/skillet until fragrant before cooking it.
- Using leftover cooked quinoa: You can refer to this post (a complete guide to quinoa) for how to cook quinoa on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot. Leftover quinoa will work for the hot version or a chilled Mediterranean quinoa salad. Alternatively, cook the quinoa in advance to give it time to cool when making the Mediterranean quinoa salad!
- Adjust the vegetables added: Based on what you have in your kitchen/pantry. This veggie quinoa is highly versatile!
- Pour the dressing over warm quinoa: Even if you plan to make this as a chilled Mediterranean quinoa salad, pouring half the lemon vinaigrette over the quinoa while it's warm will help it soak up the flavors better.
- Wait for the quinoa to cool before making a salad: Otherwise, when you mix in the fresh ingredients, they may wilt and lose their crisp textures.
Nutrition
Calories: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 1516mg | Potassium: 638mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2397IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 4mg
