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Home » Recipes » Lunch & Dinner

Quinoa Tabbouleh (Vegan + GF)

Modified: Jul 12, 2021 · Published: Jul 26, 2019 by Rhian Williams

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Quinoa salad with nectarine, dried cherries, sliced red onion and herbs on a blue plate against a pink background

This Quinoa Tabbouleh is easy to make, really nutritious and packed with juicy fruits, crunchy veggies and fresh herbs. It's the perfect summery salad for picnics and packed lunches! 

Quinoa salad with nectarine, dried cherries, sliced red onion and herbs on a blue plate against a pink background

What is Tabbouleh?

Tabbouleh is a vegetarian salad traditionally made using bulgur wheat, chopped herbs, and vegetables.

My version here is made using quinoa instead of the bulgur wheat, which makes it gluten-free. Quinoa is also a great source of protein and fibre and adds a lovely nutty flavour.

I decided to add nectarines which add a lovely summery touch and their juicy texture, tart-sweet flavour and fragrant aroma make a delicious addition.

Why you'll love this Quinoa Tabbouleh:

  • it's packed with veggies 
  • it's full of flavour
  • it's fresh yet hearty
  • it's a great source of protein and fibre
  • it's filling and satisfying
  • it's healthy and nutritious
  • it's perfect for summer
  • it's vegan and gluten-free
  • it's great for picnics and packed lunches
  • it makes a great side dish for BBQs!

How to make this Quinoa Tabbouleh

Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe.

  • Cook the quinoa according to instructions on packet.

Raw quinoa, dried cranberries and water in a silver saucepan against a marble background

Tip: Add the dried cranberries to the quinoa before cooking as they become softer and juicier when cooked.

Cooked quinoa with dried cranberries in a silver saucepan against a marble background

Prepare all the fruit and vegetables - you can use anything you like, but I went for:

  • juicy nectarines
  • refreshingly crunchy raw veg - fresh cucumber, tangy red onion, sweet red pepper, peppery radish, juicy tomatoes
  • all the fresh herbs - parsley, basil, mint
  • earthy, nutty toasted pistachio nuts!

Lots of different fruits and vegetables cut up and laid out on a blue plate against a marble background

  • Mix together the ingredients for the dressing in a separate bowl.

A small light blue bowl filled with dark brown dressing against a marble background

  • Add the cooked quinoa to a large bowl along with all the other ingredients for the salad.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well.

Cooked quinoa with lots of different chopped fruit and vegetables in a light blue bowl with a silver spoon pouring over a dark brown dressing against a marble background

HOW LONG DOES THIS QUINOA TABBOULEH KEEP FOR?

This Quinoa Tabbouleh keeps covered in the fridge for up to a day.

SUBSTITUTIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO THIS RECIPE:

  • you can use pre-cooked quinoa to make it easier
  • you can substitute the dried sour cherries with dried cranberries 
  • you can substitute the quinoa with brown rice, wild rice or buckwheat, or another grain such as couscous, bulgur wheat or barley if you don’t need it to be gluten-free
  • you can substitute the pomegranate molasses with any other sweetener
  • you can use any vegetables or fruit you like
  • you can substitute the pistachio nuts with any other nuts or seeds.

Quinoa salad with nectarine, dried cherries, sliced red onion and herbs on a blue plate against a pink background

More vegan salad recipes:

  • Soba Noodle Salad
  • Pumpkin Quinoa Salad
  • Rice Noodle Salad
  • Puy Lentil Salad

If you try out this recipe or anything else from my blog, I’d really love to hear any feedback! Please give it a rating, leave a comment, or tag a photo @rhiansrecipes #rhiansrecipes on Instagram! Thank you.

Quinoa salad with nectarine, dried cherries, sliced red onion and herbs on a blue plate against a pink background

Quinoa Tabbouleh (Vegan + GF)

This Quinoa Tabbouleh is easy to make, really nutritious and packed with juicy fruits, crunchy veggies and fresh herbs. It's the perfect summery salad for picnics and packed lunches! 
4.50 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: nectarine salad, pumpkin quinoa salad, quinoa tabbouleh
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 555kcal

Ingredients

  • 110 g (¾ cup) uncooked quinoa
  • 2 tablespoons dried cherries (or sub dried cranberries)
  • 1 nectarine , diced
  • ½ red onion , finely sliced
  • ½ cucumber , diced
  • 1 red pepper , cut into matchsticks
  • 3 radishes , finely sliced
  • 6 cherry tomatoes , halved
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil , finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley , finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint , finely chopped
  • 4 tablespoons shelled pistachio nuts , roughly chopped

For the dressing:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (you can omit this if you wish)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon pomegranate molasses (or sub agave syrup or any other sweetener)
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • Cook the quinoa according to instructions on packet (add the dried cranberries to the quinoa before cooking as they become softer and juicier when boiled)
  • Add the cooked quinoa to a large bowl along with all the other ingredients for the salad
  • Mix together the ingredients for the dressing in a separate bowl
  • Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well
  • Keeps covered in the fridge for up to a day
Nutrition Facts
Quinoa Tabbouleh (Vegan + GF)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 555 Calories from Fat 225
% Daily Value*
Fat 25g38%
Saturated Fat 3g15%
Sodium 23mg1%
Potassium 1036mg30%
Carbohydrates 72g24%
Fiber 11g44%
Sugar 22g24%
Protein 15g30%
Vitamin A 3652IU73%
Vitamin C 110mg133%
Calcium 95mg10%
Iron 5mg28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Made the recipe?Tag @rhiansrecipes on instagram and use the hashtag #rhiansrecipes!

Disclosure: This posts contains affiliate links to Amazon. If you purchase any of these products, a small percentage will come to me with no extra cost to you! This income will go towards the running of this blog – thank you.

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Comments

    4.50 from 6 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Leslie

    April 29, 2018 at 7:55 pm

    5 stars
    What a creative idea and a clever way to use nectarines!

    Reply
    • Rhian Williams

      April 29, 2018 at 7:56 pm

      Thank you!

  2. Floranet

    July 27, 2019 at 8:54 am

    Great Job Buddy!!

    Reply
    • Rhian Williams

      July 27, 2019 at 10:17 pm

      Thank you!

  3. Sunshine

    July 29, 2019 at 11:32 am

    5 stars
    Beyond hungry, of course, do you know what your posts make me feel? Happy!

    Reply
    • Rhian Williams

      July 29, 2019 at 11:51 am

      Thank you so much!

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Hi, I’m Rhian! I make easy, undetectably vegan + gluten-free recipes, including healthy comfort food and naturally sweetened desserts using plant-based ingredients.

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