Quinoa Salad
Meal-prep quinoa that stays fluffy: bright lemon dressing, crisp veggies, and clean herb flavor.
Timing: 35 mins
Quinoa Salad
Meal-prep quinoa that stays fluffy: bright lemon dressing, crisp veggies, and clean herb flavor.
Timing: 35 mins
Key move
Rinse, cook 1:2, rest covered 10 minutes, then fluff--fluffy quinoa is about steam management.
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Larger text, ingredients in reach, and saved step progress while you cook.
The Setup
- Saucepan3 qt with lid
- Fork
- Mixing Bowl
The Mise en Place
5 of 11Your prep station before cooking begins
Aromatics (0/1)
Seasoning (0/2)
The Pantry (0/1)
Dressing (0/3)
My quinoa turned into a mushy, sticky mess.
Ah, that happens when the steam gets trapped too much or not enough.
The salad tastes a little flat, like it's missing something.
Quinoa can be a bit shy on its own. It needs a little zing to wake it up! Try adding another tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and a good pinch more salt. That brightness and seasoni…
Chef's Notes
Refrigerate up to 5 days. Brighten with lemon before serving.
The Method
SIMMER
Prep aheadBring quinoa (1½ cups), water (3 cups), and 1/2 tsp salt to a boil. Cover, reduce to low, and simmer 15 minutes, until Little tails appear; no water pooled at bottom.
Stirring ruins texture: Do not lift the lid to stir; it releases necessary steam and releases starch, making the quinoa gummy.
Water absorbed; quinoa tender
REST
Prep aheadTurn off heat and rest covered 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and cool 10 minutes.
Premature fluffing: Fluffing before the 10-minute rest traps moisture inside, resulting in wet, clumped grains.
Grains separate and look fluffy
WHISK
Prep aheadWhisk olive oil (¼ cups), lemon juice (¼ cups), Dijon (if using), salt, and pepper into a bright dressing.
Broken emulsion: Add olive oil in a slow, steady stream while whisking to prevent the dressing from separating.
Dressing tastes sharp and seasoned
TOSS
Prep aheadToss cooled quinoa (1½ cups) with cucumber (1 whole), tomatoes (2 whole), onion, parsley (¾ cups), and dressing. Taste and adjust salt and lemon.
Soggy vegetables: Dressing the salad too far in advance will draw water out of the cucumbers and tomatoes, making the dish watery.
Salad tastes bright and clean
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