🥗 Quinoa & Rainbow Veggie Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

✅ Vegan | 🌱 Gluten-Free | 🕒 Ready in 20 Minutes | Packed with Protein & Fiber

Table of Contents

🌈 Description:

This Quinoa & Rainbow Veggie Salad is a colorful, nutrient-packed bowl that’s as delicious as it is beautiful. Loaded with fresh crunchy veggies like cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and shredded carrots, it’s bursting with vibrant flavors and textures. The nutty quinoa adds a hearty dose of complete plant protein, making this salad satisfying enough for a light lunch or side dish.

The creamy, tangy lemon-tahini dressing ties everything together perfectly, balancing citrus brightness with a subtle sweetness and a hint of garlic. This salad is naturally vegan, gluten-free, and quick to prepare — ideal for anyone looking for a fresh, wholesome, and energizing meal.

Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or need a refreshing dish on a warm day, this salad is a perfect choice that nourishes your body and delights your taste buds.

Image e5cd6ke5cd6ke5cd Simply Creative Minds

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked quinoa (cooled)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 medium cucumber, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/4 red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/4 cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup chickpeas (optional for extra protein)

Lemon-Tahini Dressing:

3 tablespoons tahini
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt & pepper to taste
Water to thin, as needed

Instructions:

Prepare Salad: In a large bowl, combine quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, shredded carrot, parsley, and chickpeas if using.
Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Add water little by little until the dressing reaches your desired consistency.
Toss: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well until everything is evenly coated.
Serve: Enjoy immediately or chill for 10–15 minutes to let flavors meld.

🌟 Health Benefits:

Quinoa is a powerhouse grain that offers a complete plant-based protein, containing all nine essential amino acids your body needs to build and repair tissues. It’s also rich in fiber, which supports digestion and helps keep you feeling satisfied.

The fresh vegetables in this salad are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help protect your cells, boost your immune system, and promote overall health. Their fiber content also supports healthy digestion and steady energy levels.

Tahini, made from ground sesame seeds, provides heart-healthy fats and a good source of calcium, supporting bone health. It adds a creamy texture to the dressing without any dairy, making this salad perfect for vegans and those with lactose intolerance.

Adding chickpeas increases the protein and fiber content even more, helping to stabilize blood sugar levels and keep hunger at bay for longer periods.

Together, these ingredients make this salad a delicious and nourishing meal that supports sustained energy, digestive health, and overall well-being.