Refreshing 20 minute Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad – an easy salad recipe that’s filled with fresh herbs, vegetables, hearty quinoa and lemon juice. This light and low calorie tabbouleh salad makes the perfect gluten free side dish for the summer!
Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe
You can’t go through the summer without a go to side dish. I mean let’s be honest. With all the parties that are finished with a “bring a side to share” if you’ve got a winner of a dish it’s a game changer.
So, do you have one? I do. Well, actually I have a couple cuz you know I’m cool and love food like that. But today I’m sharing one of my favorite light side dishes. And let me tell you, it will “bring all the boys and girls to the yard” … to quote the beautiful Gwen Stefani.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. What the heck is tabbouleh salad and how is something I can’t even pronounce your go to dish?! Well ..
What is Tabbouleh Salad?
Tabbouleh (also known as Tabouli) , pronounced tuh·boo·lee, is a Middle Eastern vegetarian dish that is typically made with fresh tomatoes, mint, parsley, lemon juice, bulgur, and olive oil. Now the recipes vary a bit since it’s gotten popular in the States, but the general concept is the same.
Can you make Quinoa Tabbouleh?
Absolutely, just substitute quinoa for the bulgur. The quinoa substitution makes this dish gluten free and easier for your body to digest, plus it gives you a nice fiber boost. You honestly, won’t notice the difference. I actually like it better!
How to Make Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad?
- Add quinoa and water to a medium saucepan, cover, and bring to a boil and reduce to simmer for 15 minutes until water is gone.
- Let sit for 5 minutes, use a fork to fluff.
- Add quinoa to a large bowl along with tomato, cucumber, red pepper, orange pepper, parsley, mint, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Toss to mix everything together.
- Serve.
How long does Tabbouleh Salad last?
If stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator, this Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad should last up to 4-5 days.
The true star of this dish is the finely diced parsley, this radiant fresh herb compliments the lemon juice and brightens this dish up. In my opinion, it’s actually better the next day so it’s definitely a “make ahead” kinda dish!
This Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad is a necessity to have on hand this summer. If it dries out a bit just add a squeeze of lemon juice and olive oil and it comes back to life instantly!
Seriously cannot wait to hear what you think of this dish!
P.S. you don’t have to be a master knife cutter to make this dish, I know all the vegetables look really small in the photos but the goal is to try and make the vegetables all the same size. Remember you eat with your eyes first then your stomach!
P.S.S. Go make this now!
What goes well with Tabbouleh Salad?
- The BEST Grilled Chicken Recipe with Spice Rub
- Honey Mustard Baked Salmon
- Garlic Herb Roasted Shrimp
- Glazed Honey Garlic Beer Can Chicken
Refreshing 20 Minute Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 6 cups 1x
- Category: Gluten Free, Side Dishes, Vegetarian
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Description
Refreshing 20 minute Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad – an easy salad recipe that’s filled with fresh herbs, vegetables, hearty quinoa and lemon juice. This light and low calorie tabbouleh salad makes the perfect gluten free side dish for the summer!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups of quinoa
- 3 cups of water
- 1 cup of diced cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup of diced english cucumber
- 1 cup of diced orange bell pepper
- 1 cup of diced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup of fresh flat leaf parley, finely diced
- 1/4 cup of fresh mint, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4–5 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add quinoa and water to a medium saucepan, cover, and bring to a boil and reduce to simmer for 15 minutes until water is gone.
- Let sit for 5 minutes, use a fork to fluff.
- Add quinoa to a large bowl along with tomato, cucumber, red pepper, orange pepper, parsley, mint, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Toss to mix everything together.
- Serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 136
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 37 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 g
Filed Under:
IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, BE SURE TO SNAP A PIC AND HASHTAG IT#JOYFULHEALTHYEATS. I LOVE SEEING WHAT YOU MAKE!
Want More Quinoa Recipes?
Mediterranean Quinoa Stuffed Tomato
Creamy Goat Cheese Asparagus Quinoa Salad
27 comments on “Refreshing 20 Minute Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad”
Looks tasty and beautiful. I can see lots of flexible ways to use up veggies in the frig with this recipe as a baseline.
Yes! The perfect dish to use up those extra veggies!
Excellent dish!!!!! Whole family loved it. Paired it with the spice rub chicken!
What do I do with the garlic? add into the dressing?
Hey Kimberly, whoops. Looks like I forgot to add that into the directions. Sorry about that. No you actually add everything into the bowl of quinoa and it all gets tossed together. 🙂
I just made this dish, and had to leave a comment. It was AMAZING!. Very, very good!!. I can’t wait to try more of your recipes, especially the Vegan Mexican dishes!!.
Ohhh hurray! So glad to hear it Lori! It’s one of my favorites in the summer, so light and refreshing!
Wow Krista! I love how fresh this salad is and use of quinoa instead of tabbouleh. And chocolate would be Superman’s weakness too!
haha.. right! Chocolate totally would be superman’s weakness! So glad you liked this recipe girl!
We live right by a little greek place that serves up the best tabbouleh salad. I am obsessed with it. Never did I think about using Quinoa instead of Bulgur Wheat! You are a genius Krista! Pinning! Can’t wait to make this at home!
lucky girl! I wish i lived next to a greek place!!! 🙂 Thanks for the pin girl, hope you girl it a try!
This looks like the perfect summer salad, Krista – can’t wait to give it a try!
Thanks Melanie!
This looks like total perfection! Can’t wait to give this a try!
Thanks Becky, you’ll love it!
I love that meme, too, and it is all too true for me. I love this salad too! Gorgeous!
Thanks Andi! 🙂
Bah haha love that quote! That should be my new go to phrase! If I’m going to eat a salad this looks like the perfect one to enjoy!
haha… so glad you liked it! I literally laughed out loud when I saw it! This is definitely the perfect salad to eat for the summer! Light and refreshing!
Hahaha, that meme made me laugh out loud – story of my life for sure! And this salad looks just fantastic!
hurray! glad i could give you a good laugh and a good recipe! woot woot!
this salad could definitely make me drop the chocolate 🙂 and it is perfect for our super hot Cali days when the thought of cooking makes me sick
haha… yeah for chocolate dropping foods! 🙂
Krista, chocolate is my biggest weakness, too! I eat quite well but always have room for chocolate. Thankfully, I LOVE salads and this quinoa tabbouleh salad is perfect for me!
haha.. I figure eating this salad definitely makes me feel less guilty about chocolate. 🙂
I love, love, LOVE Tabbouleh! It was first introduced to me by my Lebonese college roommate. So fresh and delicious! And I too have the same weakness with chocolate. I pretty much eat some form of chocolate everyday!
So soo good right! And if you first intro was by a Lebanese roommate then you were in good hands!