Though I was never a fussy eater even as a kid and happily ate all the fruits and vegetables it took me some time to acquire the taste of beetroot. My parents who always believed in healthy eating, cooked beets regularly when they were in season. The more I started eating them, the more I started liking them. Now I love beets and use them in a lot of my recipes. I have already shared a lot of easy beetroot recipes on my blog which you must try if you also like beets or want to start eating them. Today I am sharing a Middle Eastern style beetroot salad recipe with quinoa which is full of flavors, textures, and colors. If you enjoy this salad, don’t miss to check out my other Middle Eastern salad recipes like fava bean chickpea salad, Lebanese butter bean salad, or tomato parsley salad. It’s perfect for lunch box, potluck, or any simple meal.
What goes in this quinoa beet salad?
You will need the following ingredients to make beetroot quinoa in Middle Eastern style:
Ingredient notes
Beetroot: Instead of grating, you can also use very finely chopped beets. If you don’t like the taste of raw beets, saute them for a few minutes before adding to the salad. Quinoa: Any variety- white, red, black, rainbow, etc is fine to be used in this recipe. Water: For adding more flavor, use vegetable stock instead of water. Herbs: I have used mint and cilantro but parsley, and dill also taste good in this salad. Use any herb of your choice. Golden raisins: The sweetness of raisins balance the earthiness of beets. You can also add black raisins, cranberries, etc. Pistachios: I love pistachios and their green color beautifully compliments the color of beets so I have used them. You can use other nuts or seeds too for adding crunch to this salad.
How to make?
To make this quinoa beetroot salad, just follow the steps below: Cook quinoa: Rinse ½ cup quinoa with water and put it in a pot. Add 1 cup water and cook uncovered for around 15 minutes or until all the water gets evaporated. Cover the pan and switch off the stove. Don’t remove the lid for at least 5 minutes. After that, remove the lid and fluff quinoa with a fork. Keep it aside. Do the chopping and grating: Peel the beets and grate with the help of a grater. You can also very finely chop it. Peel and mince garlic. Roughly chop the herbs. Prepare the dressing: In a bowl prepare the salad dressing by mixing extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, roasted cumin powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything: Put the cooked quinoa, beets, herbs, pistachios, and raisins in a large bowl. Pour the dressing and toss. Enjoy your Middle Eastern quinoa beet salad!
Step by step photo instructions
Serving beetroot quinoa salad
This flavorful quinoa salad can be enjoyed as a light healthy meal. You can serve some roasted potatoes or other roasted vegetables on the side. It can also be stuffed inside wraps and sandwiches or added to the buddha bowls.
How to store?
To store, just put it in an air-tight container and refrigerate. It will be fine for around 3-4 days.
Can it be frozen?
Yes, this salad can be frozen for 3-4 months. However, I would suggest adding freshly toasted nuts when you are serving it.
Recipe tips, tricks, and variation suggestions
For extra crunch and flavor toast the pistachios for a few minutes before adding to the salad. If you don’t like the taste of raw beets, slightly saute the grated beets and then use in the salad. To add heat to the salad add chili flakes or finely chopped chili peppers. For extra flavor, also use lemon zest in the dressing. For me, the sweetness of raisins is enough in this salad. However, if you want to add more sweetness to it, add a sweetener of choice like maple syrup or honey(non-vegans) to the dressing.
Frequently asked questions
More vegan quinoa recipe
Looking for more vegan quinoa recipes? Don’t miss to check the following links:
More easy beetroot recipes
If you are looking for more ideas to include beets in your diet, the following recipes are worth trying: If you liked this recipe, please leave a star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ in the recipe card below. You can also follow me on Instagram, Youtube, and Pinterest.
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