Quinoa Salads

Easy, quick and filling. quinoa salads are a great go to weeknight meal as well as wonderful option for hot summer days when you're trying not to heat up your entire kitchen to make dinner. All it takes is to cook up a cup or two of quinoa and you're well on your way. I always love the added visual texture that comes from using tri-color quinoa, but really any of them taste great to me. Toss in some veggies, beans, and dressing--voila! Dinner (or lunch) is served.

Here are three different quinoa salads we've gobbled up in the last few weeks. Recipes follow.

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Instructions in three easy steps!

1. First, cook the quinoa according to package directions. Let cool.

2. Dice and chop veggies add to a bowl along with all other ingredients (beans, spices, oils, lemon/lime juice, vinegar).

3. Add in your cooled quinoa and give a final mix!

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Tomato and Chickpea Quinoa Salad

Ok, this first one is actually a page out of my favorite site's recipe collection over at Peas and Crayons. Hop over there for the full version, but I am going to list out the ingredients here:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dry quinoa

• 3/4 cup water

• 2-3 cups chopped/sliced tomato

• 15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 1/4 cup chopped green onion

• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)

• 2 tbsp avocado oil

• 1 clove garlic (smashed and minced)

• 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley

• 1/2 tsp ground cumin

• 1/4 tsp sea salt

• 1/8 tsp pepper

• additional fresh chopped parsley to taste

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Southwestern Quinoa Salad

Think of this one similar to a taco bowl, but instead of a tortilla or rice you're using quinoa as your base.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry quinoa

• 1-2 cups chopped tomato (I like to use the cherry or grape sized)

• 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1/4 cup diced onion (red or green would probably taste best)

• 1 diced bell pepper

• 1 chopped large avocado

• Fresh juice from 1 lime

• 1/4 cup avocado or olive oil

• 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro

• 2 tsp chili powder

• 1/2 tsp ground Cheyenne pepper

• 1/4 tsp sea salt

• 1/4 tsp pepper

• Dash or two of red pepper flakes (optional if you want extra heat)

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Cucumber & Red Pepper Quinoa Salad

This sweet and tangy combo is perfect to enjoy outside on cool summer evening.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry quinoa

• 1 long english cucumber quartered and chopped

• 1 diced bell pepper

• 1/2 cup diced red onion

• 15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 1 clove garlic, chopped

• 1 fresh lemon juiced

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

• 1/4 tsp sea salt

• 1/8 tsp pepper

• Pinch of red pepper flakes