Best 4 Quinoa Salad With Zucchini Mint And Pistachios Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Quinoa salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that is perfect for summer gatherings or light lunches. This particular recipe combines the goodness of quinoa, zucchini, mint, and pistachios to create a delightful and nutritious salad. The quinoa provides a protein-packed base, while the zucchini adds a refreshing crunch. The mint brings a burst of freshness, and the pistachios add a touch of nutty flavor. The salad is dressed with a tangy lemon-tahini dressing that ties all the flavors together. Along with the quinoa salad recipe, the article also includes recipes for the lemon-tahini dressing and a variation of the salad using roasted sweet potatoes. These additional recipes provide options for customizing the salad to your liking, making it a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in different ways.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

QUINOA SALAD WITH ZUCCHINI, MINT, AND PISTACHIOS



Quinoa Salad with Zucchini, Mint, and Pistachios image

Everyone will love the combination of flavors and textures in this vegan quinoa salad: garlicky sauteed zucchini, delicate scallions, crunchy roasted pistachios, and fragrant fresh mint.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup quinoa, rinsed well
1 1/2 cups water
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced (about 2 1/2 cups)
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
3 scallions, thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)
1/4 cup roasted salted pistachios, chopped
Zest and juice (about 3 tablespoons) of 1 lemon
1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves, chopped, plus more for garnish

Steps:

  • Place quinoa and water in a small saucepan and season with a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cover. Simmer until tender and water is absorbed, about 16 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool.
  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add zucchini; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and golden, about 7 minutes. Add garlic; cook until fragrant (do not let brown), about 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper and add to quinoa.
  • Stir in scallions, pistachios, lemon zest and juice, and mint. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

QUINOA SALAD



Quinoa Salad image

Quinoa, a "new" ingredient that has been around for thousands of years, is a tiny, high-protein grain from South America. It's nicknamed the "wonder grain" because it cooks more quickly than rice, is virtually foolproof, and is lighter and more nutritious than other grains.

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 40m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

12 cups water
1 1/2 cups quinoa, rinsed
5 pickling cucumbers, peeled, ends trimmed, and cut into 1/4-inch cubes
1 small red onion, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
1 large tomato, cored, seeded, and diced
1 bunch Italian parsley leaves, chopped
2 bunches mint leaves, chopped
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 lemon, juiced
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 heads endive, trimmed and separated into individual spears
1 avocado, peeled, seeded and diced, for garnish

Steps:

  • Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the quinoa, stir once, and return to a boil. Cook uncovered, over medium heat for 12 minutes. Strain and rinse well with cold water, shaking the sieve well to remove all moisture.
  • When dry, transfer the quinoa to a large bowl. Add the cucumbers, onion, tomato, parsley, mint, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper and toss well. Spoon onto endive spears, top with avocado, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 319, Fat 20 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Cholesterol 0 milligrams, Sodium 467 milligrams, Carbohydrate 32 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 7 grams, Sugar 4 grams

QUINOA SALAD WITH MINT, ALMONDS AND CRANBERRIES



Quinoa Salad with Mint, Almonds and Cranberries image

Are you tired of eating your leftover Thanksgiving meal? If you are, try this recipe. It is healthy and delicious. The combination of the minty mint and the sweet cranberries are so refreshing, just like a dip in the pool.

Provided by ConnorsTasteBuds

Categories     Salad     Green Salad Recipes     Kale Salad Recipes

Time 40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 cups chicken broth
1 cup quinoa
3 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup coarsely chopped mint leaves
½ cup dry-roasted almonds, unsalted
½ cup dried cranberries
1 cup coarsely chopped kale
½ cup sliced carrots
½ cup sliced celery
1 scallion, thinly sliced
18 grape tomatoes, halved
1 lemon, juiced
½ teaspoon lemon zest
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Add quinoa, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender and the liquid has been absorbed, about 13 minutes. Stir in olive oil; fluff quinoa with a fork. Set aside to cool slightly.
  • Stir mint, almonds, dried cranberries, kale, carrots, celery, scallion, grape tomatoes, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Season to taste with salt and ground black pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 437.9 calories, Carbohydrate 51.7 g, Cholesterol 3 mg, Fat 22.5 g, Fiber 8.3 g, Protein 11.7 g, SaturatedFat 2.2 g, Sodium 667.7 mg, Sugar 12.5 g

RED QUINOA WITH PISTACHIOS



Red Quinoa with Pistachios image

Provided by Sara Dickerman

Categories     Side     High Fiber     Pistachio     Quinoa     Healthy     Low Cholesterol     Boil     Bon Appétit     Sugar Conscious     Dairy Free     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 shallot, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup quinoa, preferably red, rinsed well in a fine-mesh sieve
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
1/4 cup unsalted, shelled raw pistachios, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add quinoa and cook, stirring frequently, until quinoa starts to toast and smell nutty, about 5 minutes. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil.
  • Stir in quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently until quinoa is tender, 25-30 minutes (15 if using white quinoa). Remove pan from heat, fluff quinoa with a fork. Cover; let stand for 5 minutes.
  • Fold pistachios, parsley, and mint into quinoa. Season with salt and pepper.

Tips:

  • Prepare the Quinoa in Advance: Cooking quinoa ahead of time saves time and allows it to cool completely before assembling the salad.
  • Choose Fresh and Flavorful Vegetables: Select firm and brightly colored zucchini, ripe cherry tomatoes, and crisp cucumber for optimal taste and texture.
  • Toast the Pistachios: Toasting the pistachios enhances their flavor and adds a nutty crunch to the salad.
  • Use High-Quality Olive Oil: Opt for extra virgin olive oil to provide a rich and fruity flavor to the dressing.
  • Season to Taste: Adjust the salt, pepper, and lemon juice in the dressing to your preference.
  • Make it a Meal: Add grilled chicken, tofu, or roasted vegetables to transform the salad into a complete and satisfying meal.

Conclusion:

This delightful quinoa salad showcases the vibrant flavors of fresh summer produce, complemented by toasted pistachios, a tangy lemon-herb dressing, and the refreshing aroma of mint. It's a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a light lunch, a flavorful side dish, or a healthy on-the-go meal. With its colorful presentation and irresistible taste, this quinoa salad is sure to become a favorite for both vegetarians and meat lovers alike.

Related Topics