Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (2024)

Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (1)

This quinoa tabbouleh salad recipe was developed exclusively for Nuts.com and our customers by Miryam Quinn Doblas, Registered Dietitian (RD). Miryam shares her passion for healthy eating on her website, Eat Good 4 Life.

This flavorful and refreshing quinoa salad is inspired by tabbouleh, a popular Lebanese salad made with fresh vegetables and olive oil. The combination of protein-rich quinoa and fresh chopped veggies goes together so well in this recipe. It’s great for a healthy lunch or a light evening meal. Quinoa tabbouleh salad can easily be packed for work or school, or brought along to potlucks and picnics.

Quinoa is a staple in my household. Its fluffy, grain-like texture makes it an incredibly versatile food that is naturally gluten-free. Considered a complete protein, quinoa provides the body with all 9 essential amino acids required to build proteins. This includes the amino acid lysine, which most grains lack. Lysine is important for bone health as it helps the body absorb calcium, and has also been associated with reducing stress and anxiety.

Although technically a seed, quinoa is often compared to other grains in terms of nutritional content and uses. It contains 12-18% more protein than any other grain, and nearly twice as much dietary fiber. Packed with minerals like magnesium and iron, quinoa truly is a superfood. Soft, fluffy, and delicious, it makes a healthy and interesting alternative to rice and couscous in your recipes.

I love the fact that quinoa is so versatile. This quinoa tabbouleh salad is just one example of how I’ve incorporated it into my cooking. I sometimes replace half the rice in a dish with quinoa to change things up a bit and add more nutrition. If you want to get more creative with this recipe, you can also add cooked chickpeas and feta cheese. I’m going to try that the next time I prepare this salad.

Every summer, I get together with my friends for barbecues and other gatherings. Quinoa salads like this are always a welcomed dish at these events because they are light, healthy, and suitable for most people with diet restrictions. Another bonus is that, unlike other salads, you don’t have to worry about this one wilting; it’s a great portable dish! If you’d like to make the salad ahead of time, just leave the olive oil and vinegar out and add it when it’s ready to be served.

Everyone in my family absolutely loved this salad. I hope you enjoy this simple, healthy recipe, as well!

Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (6)

Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free)

Category: Cooking & Baking, Gluten-Free, Recipes

Servings: 4 servings

Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (7)

Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked quinoa
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 red onion, chopped
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 oz fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 oz fresh mint, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. To cook the quinoa on the stovetop, combine one part quinoa with two parts water or broth, and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. You can also cook the quinoa in a rice cooker.
  2. Once the quinoa is cooked, let it cool for 20-30 minutes. In the meantime, add the remaining ingredients, except for the olive oil and vinegar, in a large bowl. When the quinoa has cooled, add it to the bowl, along with the oil and vinegar. Toss all the ingredients together and store the salad covered in the refrigerator until it’s ready to be served.

Notes

The salad will keep for up to two days in the fridge.

https://blog.nuts.com/quinoa-tabbouleh-salad-recipe-gluten-free/

This recipe was developed and photographed exclusively for Nuts.com by Miryam Quinn Doblas, RD, ofEat Good 4 Life.

14 Responses to “Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free)”

  1. Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (9)PassTheKnife

    I’ve never made tabbouleh quite like this before, I love quinoa so I will definitely try this!

    Reply
  • Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (10)Meghan Remedios

    That’s great! Let us know how you like it 🙂

    Reply
  • Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (11)Jeanne

    This healthy quinoa tabbouleh salad recipe looks so good. I cannot wait to try it.

    Reply
  • Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (12)Darla

    I make traditional tabbouleh a lot. This will be a nice change can’t wait to give it a try 🙂

    Reply
  • Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (13)Sheryl

    Can you just add water & olive oil and let the quinoa absorb the moisture as you do cracked wheat?

    Reply
    • Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (14)Meghan Remedios

      Hi Sheryl – As long as you cook the quinoa first, that should be fine. Thanks for your question.

      Reply
  • Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (15)Renee

    Where’s the lemon juice?

    Reply
    • Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (16)Meghan Remedios

      Hi Renee – We didn’t add lemon juice to this recipe, but you can definitely adjust it to your tastes.

      Reply
  • Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (17)Chris

    I made this last night and also almost just added lemon juice, but it doesn’t need it!! It is so delicious! I did not have tomatoes or mint on hand, so they were omitted. And I just eyeballed and tasted for quantity of balsamic and evoo. Very tasty! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (18)Meghan Remedios

      We’re happy you enjoyed the recipe, Chris! Thanks for letting us know how it worked out for you.

      Reply
  • Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (19)Anna

    I made it earlier today. YUM!!! Even my 2-year-old loves it but she’s somewhat of a connoisseur and loves quinoa. I added more olive oil, a whole lot more parsley (big fan of both), skipped the cucumber and it was absolutely delicious. I used your organic white quinoa. After trying this one I’d love to get more recipes from you guys. I have plenty of quinoa and raw buckwheat so I’m always on a lookout for good recipes.

    Reply
    • Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (20)Meghan Remedios

      Hi Anna! We’re so happy to hear that you and your 2-year-old enjoyed this recipe. We have plenty of other recipes that were also developed by Miryam Quinn Doblas, RD. Feel free to check them out here: https://blog.nuts.com/tag/rd-recipes/

      Reply
  • Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (21)Ari

    I just made this for my father, and he liked it. Thanks for the idea!

    Reply
    • Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (22)Peyton Lutz

      So happy to hear this, Ari!

      Reply

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    Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free) - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (2024)

    FAQs

    What are the ingredients in the salad servers quinoa tabbouleh? ›

    Ingredients: Black Quinoa (26%), White Quinoa (22%), Tomato (13%), Parsley (12%), Water, Onion, Vinegar, Vegetable Oil, Sugar, Pepitas, Sunflower Seeds, Salt, Lemon Juice Concentrate (0.5%), Garlic, Black Pepper, Thickener (Xanthan Gum).

    How do you keep tabbouleh from getting soggy? ›

    Tomato and cucumber release a lot of moisture when they're exposed to salt, and will make your tabbouleh way too watery if you do not drain it off. Simply combine the tomato and cucumber in a bowl with some salt (you'll find these instructions in the recipe below), and set it aside while you chop the parsley.

    Does tabbouleh contain gluten-free? ›

    Traditional tabbouleh is naturally vegan but not gluten-free. It is usually made with lots of parsley, tomatoes, mint, onions and fine bulgur wheat then mixed and tossed with a lemon juice, olive oil dressing. Its exact ingredients can vary considerably from one region to another though.

    What grain is tabbouleh made from? ›

    Tabouli salad or Tabbouleh is a simple Mediterranean salad of very finely chopped vegetables, lots of fresh parsley and bulgur wheat, all tossed with lime juice and olive oil.

    What can I substitute for bulgur wheat in tabbouleh? ›

    While the classic tabbouleh recipe includes bulgur wheat, alternative versions can be made without it, using substitutes like quinoa, couscous, or even omitting the grain entirely. These variations allow for dietary restrictions or personal preferences while still maintaining the essence of the dish.

    What is a tabouli salad traditionally made from? ›

    Tabbouleh is basically parsley salad. There's technically no lettuce in it. It's a salad made up of parsley, tomatoes, bulgur wheat, and green onions – all finely chopped and tossed with olive oil and lemon juice!

    How long will tabouli last in the fridge? ›

    Because of its ingredients, tabouli will last in the refrigerator for up to four days, so make sure you eat it before then.

    Why is my tabbouleh bitter? ›

    The most likely sources of bitterness in a tabbouleh are parsley and olive oil. The parsley should be finely chopped to avoid bitter flavours.

    Why is tabouli so good? ›

    Tabbouleh is a healthy, vegetarian food that has no cholesterol, is low in fat, and high in fiber, vitamins, and much more. Plus, it makes great use of the backyard gardener's abundance of parsley, mint, tomatoes and cucumbers. This vegan dish can be made gluten-free by substituting quinoa for bulgur wheat.

    What is the best gluten-free substitute for bulgur wheat? ›

    Quinoa is a gluten-free substitute for bulgur wheat with a similar profile of health benefits. It is also a great one to use as a substitute for tabbouleh, which is probably the most popular bulgur recipe. Quinoa tabbouleh is just as delicious and refreshing as its traditional version made with bulgur.

    Is bulgur wheat ok for gluten-free? ›

    No, bulgur is not gluten-free. Bulgur is a cereal made from wheat, so if you have celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity or a wheat allergy, do not eat bulgur. Bulgur is made by parboiling whole wheat (usually the durum variety), drying it, then grinding it.

    Is quinoa gluten-free celiac? ›

    Yes, quinoa is gluten-free. Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is gluten-free and is a great alternative to gluten-containing grains.

    Is tabbouleh good for your gut? ›

    Digestive Benefits: Tabouleh is packed with ingredients that promote digestion and gut health. Parsley, the star herb in this salad, is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, aiding in digestion and supporting detoxification processes.

    What is Lebanese tabbouleh made of? ›

    Alternatively spelled tabouli or tabouleh, this Middle Eastern salad consists of finely chopped parsley, mint, tomatoes, and bulgur wheat. Don't let the bulgur's presence fool you – traditional Lebanese tabbouleh isn't so much a grain salad as it is an herb salad with grains.

    What to eat with tabouli salad? ›

    The best side dishes to serve with tabbouleh are grilled chicken skewers, hummus and pita bread, couscous, chicken wings, salmon with dill, chicken nuggets, stuffed grape leaves, baba ghanoush, falafel, fattoush salad, kebabs, and labneh.

    What are salad servers made of? ›

    The best woods for Wooden Salad Servers are strong and trustworthy, like Maple, Black Walnut and Cherry. Salad servers made of these woods are not just the healthiest option, they'll last for thousands of salads and look amazing in your kitchen and on your table.

    What's the difference between quinoa and tabouli? ›

    Traditional tabouli or tabbouleh is made with a gluten-containing cracked wheat called bulgur. Quinoa is a seed and naturally gluten-free. While quinoa does contain more calories than bulgur, it is more nutritionally dense, with more protien.

    How healthy is tabouli salad? ›

    Tabbouleh is a healthy, vegetarian food that has no cholesterol, is low in fat, and high in fiber, vitamins, and much more. Plus, it makes great use of the backyard gardener's abundance of parsley, mint, tomatoes and cucumbers. This vegan dish can be made gluten-free by substituting quinoa for bulgur wheat.

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