Quinoa Salad with Vegetables and Lemon
Quinoa is rinsed thoroughly to remove the bitter saponin, then cooked at a ratio of 1 part quinoa to 1.75 parts water for 15 minutes and left covered for 5 more. Quinoa is a complete protein and naturally gluten-free.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Calories
- 280
Photo: TorbeyCharbel — CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Quinoa isn't actually a grain — it's a seed, which is why it's gluten-free and why it carries all the essential amino acids, something rare in a plant source. The only problem is that most people cook it wrong, so it comes out bitter and claggy.
Method
-
1
Rinse
Rinse the quinoa in a fine sieve under running water for a full minute, rubbing it with your hand. This removes the saponin — the bitter coating on the seed.
⏱ 3 min -
2
Cook
Put it in a pan with the water and salt, bring to the boil, then turn the heat right down, cover and cook for 15 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed.
⏱ 3 min -
3
Rest
Take it off the heat and leave it covered for another five minutes, then fluff it with a fork. This step is what keeps the grains separate.
⏱ 15 min -
4
Cool
Spread it on a tray to cool quickly. Warm quinoa wilts the vegetables.
⏱ 6 min -
5
Combine
Toss the cooled quinoa with all the vegetables and the chickpeas, whisk the dressing, pour it over and mix. Taste and adjust the lemon and salt.
⏱ 5 min
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Tips that actually matter
- Rinsing isn't optional. Unrinsed quinoa tastes bitter and soapy.
- Cook it in vegetable stock instead of water — a big difference in flavour for no extra effort.
- It keeps four days in the fridge and is better on day two. Ideal for a packed lunch.
- Want it as a full meal? Add sliced grilled chicken or feta.
People also ask
Is quinoa gluten-free?
Yes, naturally — it's a seed, not a grain. If you have coeliac disease, look for a packet marked gluten free because of cross-contamination in processing.
Why is my quinoa bitter?
Saponin, a natural coating on the seed. A thorough rinse under running water removes it completely.
Is quinoa healthier than rice?
It's higher in protein, fibre and magnesium, with a lower glycaemic index. It's also slightly higher in calories, so portion size matters.
Cook mode
Quinoa Salad with Vegetables and Lemon
-
1
Rinse
Rinse the quinoa in a fine sieve under running water for a full minute, rubbing it with your hand. This removes the saponin — the bitter coating on the seed.
-
2
Cook
Put it in a pan with the water and salt, bring to the boil, then turn the heat right down, cover and cook for 15 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed.
-
3
Rest
Take it off the heat and leave it covered for another five minutes, then fluff it with a fork. This step is what keeps the grains separate.
-
4
Cool
Spread it on a tray to cool quickly. Warm quinoa wilts the vegetables.
-
5
Combine
Toss the cooled quinoa with all the vegetables and the chickpeas, whisk the dressing, pour it over and mix. Taste and adjust the lemon and salt.
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