Grilled Vegetable Quinoa Salad with Lemon Dressing
This grilled vegetable quinoa salad is a vibrant summer dish that brings together smoky zucchini, sweet bell peppers, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and fresh herbs—all tossed with fluffy tri-color quinoa and a zesty lemon-garlic dressing. Perfect as a light main course or a colorful side for grilled meats and fish, it’s a fresh way to make the most of seasonal produce.
Ingredients
Grilled Vegetables:
- 1 medium zucchini sliced lengthwise into 1 cm strips
- 1 red bell pepper halved and seeds removed
- 1 tbsp Olive oil for brushing
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Salad Base:
- 4 dl cooked tri-color quinoa about 2 dl uncooked
- 300 g cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cucumber diced
- 3 summer fresh onions finely sliced
- Bunch of flat-leaf parsley chopped
Dressing:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 clove garlic minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Grill the vegetables:
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush zucchini slices and bell pepper halves with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and grill until tender and lightly charred (about 2–3 minutes per side). Let cool slightly, then dice into bite-sized pieces.
Prepare the quinoa:
- Cook quinoa according to package instructions, then let it cool to room temperature.
Mix the dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
Assemble the salad:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked quinoa, grilled vegetables, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, onions, and parsley. Drizzle with the dressing and toss gently to combine.
Serve:
- Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors develop.
Notes
You can prepare the grilled vegetables ahead of time and store them in the fridge until ready to assemble.
This salad pairs beautifully with grilled meats, fish, or can be served as a vegetarian main dish.
For extra flavor and creaminess, crumble some feta cheese over the salad just before serving. It’s delicious and more filling.