Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad

Vegan and Gluten Free Salad with Healthy Endive Chips for Scooping!

Posted On: Jun, 9 |  Author:
Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
Diet Info: DF GF F LF Na LS VG V Fa

There's always something yummy on your fork in a colorful salad like this one, which combines nutty quinoa, juicy cherry tomatoes, cucumber, mint, parsley, and a garlicky lemon dressing. I happen to call it Tabbouleh Salad, but really, it is 'Summer in a Bowl'! 

Traditional Mediterranean Tabbouleh or Tabouli Salad has cracked wheat instead of quinoa. I, however, were thinking since long to make a gluten free version of the traditional tabbouleh salad. Quinoa did that job very efficiently. Hearty, nutty, and slightly chewy, I did not feel this salad was wheat-free... even for a bite!

Easy and Healthy Quinoa Tabbouleh Dinner Salad | chefdehome.com

You know my love for quinoa, especially in salads and lite weekday dinners, I often use quinoa instead of rice or wheat. To me, other than the healthy serving of protein and potassium, quinoa also has nutty texture which I adore. Really.... you can use quinoa in almost everything... from soups, salads, to baked goods and it will not stop to amaze you. super healthy super grain... oh- I mean, seed :)

However, my use of quinoa instead of Bulgur Wheat for this Mediterranean Staple was totally accidental. I wanted to share Tabbouleh Salad and also wanted to make it gluten free, yet had no immediate plans to try the recipe.......

Last week,  I was towards end of grocery completion and had very few things left in refrigerator. You know.... some cherry tomatoes, cucumber, lemon, and few herbs in patio! (and some endive, for a change!)

How to make Tabbouleh Salad with easy Pantry Ingredients | chefdehome.com

I wanted something easy and healthy for lunch, for Vishal. Since I not had  lots of fresh produce left, I started scanning for a quick and easy salad. Salads are always favorite lunch option, in my home, by far!

I wanted to make Tabbouleh, however, I have to admit, I'm still not used to keeping bulgur wheat in my pantry. I do keep Cracked Indian Wheat for breakfast porridge, but no bulgur. I still wanted something lite and quick..... When, in search, I came across this recipe of Quinoa Tabbouleh on Epicurious..... a light just went ON! Why didn't I think of this before?!

Where I had no plans  to make Tabbouleh.... in fraction of second, I was ready to pack, easy yet healthy, quinoa Tabbouleh for lunch, next day!

Tabbouleh Salad actually comes together very quickly and since I have perfected: How to cook lite and fluffy quinoa..... salad with qunioa are always great tasting and ready in a breeze.

Perfectly Cooked Quinoa for Gluten Free Tabbouleh Salad | chefdehome.com

This is one salad, which can make simple and humble ingredients - cucumber, tomatoes, and fresh herbs sing together! Seriously, hands down, loved every single bite of this salad!

In-fact, the very same day, I made same salad for me, for lunch, and took sometime to take the pictures to share with you. 

And... what's about these endive leaves? Well.... I did not want to chop endive and change the name or authenticity of Tabbouleh Salad..... So, I washed endives leaves and packed 6-7 leaves for scooping, for Vishal and kept other half for me.

A healthy crunch never hurts! right?

Clean and Healthy Endive Chips for Serving Gluten Free Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad | chefdehome.com

In my honest opinion, endive leaves paired very well with nutty and garlicky Tabbouleh. I'm sure you will not have a spare endive in your refrigerator, all the time ;) But..... I would recommend endive chips,  for serving Tabbouleh Salad, for parties:

1) For clean and healthy eating
2) For crunchy scooping.
2) To make salad more substantial as well as stylish.

I mean, a bowl of tabbouleh salad, with gorgeous, clean and fresh endive chips, on side, for scooping! Sophistication level 10! Isn't it?

Gluten Free and Vegan Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad with Endive Chips | chefdehome.com

As beautiful and clean as it looks...... this salad is also perfect for a lite, clean, and healthy summer lunch or even dinner.

Yet, I would like to add a few words about diet:

1. Quinoa instead of bulgur makes this salad Gluten Free.
2. This is naturally Vegan salad.
3. Even chips served for scooping are gluten free.
4. Other than these, this is also a nut free, soy free, and low sugar salad.

Even right now, I bet, you will have these ingredients in pantry/refrigerator! Don't wait, make some tabbouleh!

Have a great day! - Savita

Few more Vegan Quinoa Dinner recipes:

Southwest Skillet Quinoa (Rice) and Beans with Tomato-Mint Salsa Curry Lemon Quinoa (Rice) Roasted Acorn Squash, Microgreens and Quinoa Salad

Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad

Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
Total Time: Prep Time: Cook Time: Cuisine: Mediterranean () Difficulty: Easy
Yields: 4 Servings - Serves: 4
(2-3 substantial or 4 side servings.)

Ingredients

Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
To Serve (Optional)
Smart Swap: Can't find quinoa? Use cracked wheat (not glutenfree) or millet.

Directions

  • 1. Cook Quina - Rinse quinoa under running water until clean. Add to a pot with 1 cup of water. Bring to boil and simmer on medium high heat for 8 minutes or until all water has been absorbed and quinoa has sprouted.
  • 2. Cook Quinoa - Remove from heat. Cover and set aside for 5 minutes. Spread it on a sheet tray or a wide dinner plate and leave aside to cool completely before using for salad. Additional Notes: Once lukewarm, you can also pop tray in refrigerator for cooling quinoa quickly!
  • 3. For Salad, in a bowl add minced garlic, scallions, oil, lemon juice, and pinch of salt and black pepper. Set aside.
  • 4. Dice tomato, cucumber, mint, and parsley and add it to garlic-oil mix with quinoa. Toss well to combine. Taste and adjust salt and black pepper. Serve salad style.
  • 5. Or Wash leaves of endives in cold running water. Serve endive leaves on the side to scoop salad. Or put tbsp of salad in each leaves and serve in the platter.
Savita's Notes:

PS: I, always like more veggies, proportionate herbs, and less carbs in my salads. So, even though I adapted this salad recipe, I have changed quantities of ingredients... as per my taste and preference.

Disclaimer: Recipe adapted from Epicurious.com
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Tag @SAVITACHEFDEHOME on Instagram and hashtag it #SAVITACHEFDEHOME

© Chef De Home. Post content including video and photos are copyright protected.

Craving For More? Subscribe Weekly Newsletter Check Products We Use (affiliate links) Request a Recipe

We Think You'll Love

Ultimate Greek Quinoa Salad Ultimate Greek Quinoa Salad
Honey Sriracha Roasted Acorn Squash Quinoa Bowl Honey Sriracha Roasted Acorn Squash Quinoa B
Roasted Acorn Squash, Microgreens and Quinoa Salad Roasted Acorn Squash, Microgreens and Quinoa
Checkout Recipes with: Quinoa

Leave a Message:

Did you try the recipe? Do you have feedback or a question? Leave a message below.

*Name and Email are required.

17 Responses

  1. Follow the instructions on your quinoa package. The above instructions resulted in mushy quinoa.
  2. Love anything with quinoa Savita! This salad is beautiful!
    Mira, thanks :)
  3. Savita I love tabbouleh and I love this idea of using quinoa instead of cracked wheat! Genius and so perfect for hot summers!
    Ami, thanks for kind words. I appreciate it.
  4. I love all your salad recipes, they all are fantastic! This one look incredible too! YUMMY! :)
    Anu, thanks my friend for kind words! I appreciate that!
  5. What a gorgeous salad, Savita! I love the pretty colors and fresh veggies. And quinoa is my favorite, so I can't wait to try this out!
    Gayle, thanks my friend! I'm glad you like it :)
  6. This looks absolutely delish... i agree, it truly is a 'summer in a bowl' :) Love quinoa :)
    Gauri, thanks dear friend! :)
  7. simple, healthy and delicious salad. I can finsih this off in no time :)it looks so beautiful dear
    thanks, Kushi! delicious and flavorful too :) Glad you like it my friend.
  8. I love all your quinoa recipes Savita, this one too looks fantastic! so colorful and fresh! I have never tried Tabbouleh salad and now I really want to!
    Thanks! I would say, you must try Tabbouleh once! I'm sure you will love it! Plus it easy to make and also is a substantial salad.
  9. I adore tabbouleh salad! I think it is my favorite salad in the world. I once had the quinoa version in a restaurant here in NYC and you're right. You can't even tell there is no wheat in it!
    Olivia, thanks! We are on same page!! tabbouleh salad awesome, and with quinoa, super awesome :)