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Fresh Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl Recipe with Creamy Tahini Dressing

Mediterranean quinoa bowl - featured image
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A quick, easy, and vibrant Mediterranean quinoa bowl featuring fresh vegetables, herbs, and a creamy homemade tahini dressing. Perfect for a healthy, satisfying meal on busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup quinoa (rinsed well)
  • 2 cups water or vegetable broth
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped (optional)
  • 1/3 cup tahini
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
  • 2–3 tablespoons water (to thin dressing)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 cup of quinoa under cold water to remove bitterness.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa, 2 cups water or vegetable broth, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cover.
  3. Cook for about 15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool slightly.
  4. While quinoa cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, finely chop the red onion, and pit and halve Kalamata olives if using. Chop the parsley and mint finely. Toss all these in a large bowl and set aside.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup tahini, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey.
  6. Slowly add 2-3 tablespoons of water, whisking until the dressing reaches a smooth, pourable consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Add the slightly cooled quinoa to the bowl of veggies and herbs. Pour the tahini dressing over everything and toss gently to combine.
  8. Sprinkle crumbled feta and toasted pine nuts or almonds on top for extra flavor and crunch. Toss gently or serve as is.

Notes

Rinse quinoa well to remove bitterness. Add water gradually to tahini dressing to avoid lumps. For a vegan version, omit feta and use maple syrup instead of honey. Serve quinoa warm or chilled. Store dressing separately to prevent sogginess. Flavors deepen if allowed to rest before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: quinoa bowl, Mediterranean, tahini dressing, healthy dinner, quick meal, vegetarian, gluten-free

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/fresh-mediterranean-quinoa-bowl-recipe-with-creamy-tahini-dressing-easy-and-delicious/