Superfood Salad

A person holds a wooden bowl filled with a green quinoa salad containing peas, broccoli, and herbs. Two serving spoons are placed in the bowl.

A fresh, filling salad with herbed cumin quinoa, crisp broccoli and cucumber, creamy avocado and goat cheese, sweet peas, toasted seeds, and a bright lemon, garlic, and ginger dressing.

Course Salad + Main

Cuisine Mediterranean-Inspired

Keyword Quinoa Salad

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings -6 people as a side salad

Calories 366kcal

Author Maria Koutsogiannis

Ingredients

For the quinoa

1 ½ cups vegetable or chicken broth
¾ cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
½ tsp ground cumin
2 tbsp fresh chopped mint
2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley

For the seeds

1 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tbsp pumpkin seeds
1 tbsp sunflower seeds
1 tbsp chia seeds

For the dressing

1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 ½ tsp kosher salt
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 small garlic cloves or 1 large, pressed
½ inch ginger, grated (about 1 tsp grated)
1 tsp maple syrup
1 tbsp red wine vinegar

For the salad

2 cups finely chopped broccoli
1 ½ cups diced cucumber
140 grams goat cheese, crumbled
2 firm but ripe avocados, diced
1 ½ cups frozen peas, defrosted
¼ cup fresh chopped mint
¼ cup fresh chopped parsley

Instructions

Cook quinoa with 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth and ½ tsp ground cumin according to package directions. When the quinoa is done, remove from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Uncover, stir in 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped mint and 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley and fluff gently with a fork. Set aside.
Add all of the seeds to a skillet and toast on medium-low heat until fragrant OR starting to brown. Set aside on a plate or in a small bowl.
In a large salad bowl add the salt and lemon zest, use your finger tips or a whisk to rub the salt with the lemon zest until combined. Then, add in the rest of the dressing ingredients - lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, pressed garlic, grated ginger, maple syrup and red wine vinegar. Whisk until well combined.
Add the salad ingredients to the bowl - finely chopped broccoli, diced cucumber, crumbled goat cheese, diced avocado, defrosted frozen peas, fresh chopped mint, fresh chopped parsley, cooked quinoa and the toasted seeds. Toss to combine and taste - adjust seasoning with more kosher salt and/or ground pepper as desired.

Notes

Serve topped with protein of choice to make it a meal: chicken, shirmp, tofu, etc.
This makes a great lunch that you can meal prep ahead of time!
If you love this salad, try our Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe

Nutrition