When cucumbers are in season, it takes everything in my power to not combine them with tomatoes for every salad (like this sumac chickpea salad). Then I remember that I can make a refreshing, beautiful salad without the pop of red. I originally threw this cucumber quinoa salad together with ingredients I happen to have in my mother's kitchen, while all my belongings were packed up on a truck headed to California. It's a rough approximation that has changed over the years, primarily swapping balsamic for a lighter, crisper champagne vinegar. If you're looking to make this salad ahead of time, wait to combine the cucumbers with the spinach until right before serving.
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An easy and fresh summer quinoa salad using cucumbers, spinach, and a tangy dressing.
Tips & Tricks: If the cucumber has a tough skin, be sure to peel it before using. Also, this recipe is best with fresh, crisp cucumbers as they really provide the texture.
Stock up: get the pantry ingredients you will need: quinoa, cucumbers, parsley
Nutrition: see the information.
I originally made this salad without the addition of the spinach but the salad felt a little lacking. You could easily add a variety of summer produce to this salad or a handful of herbs. Make the quinoa ahead of time for quick assembly.
Grains: I primarily used quinoa for it's quick cooking but I also love this salad with a chewier sorghum or the flavor of buckwheat. If you're not looking to have this salad be gluten-free, use freekeh or bulgur.
Greens: Spinach isn't always in season with cucumbers, so try using a heartier green like kale or even chard.
Vegan: Swap out the feta for tofu- you can make a mock feta.
July is my favorite time to let cucumbers really shine. Most of the time I usually toss them in my salads as a secondary thought but as evident with this cucumber quinoa salad, they can be the star. There's usually a few different varieties at the market. I love the slightly sweet Persian cucumbers.
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Originally Posted on May 6th, 2013. Last updated on July 3rd, 2016.
Hey Erin, lovely post, beautiful recipe. Best of luck and good wishes on you travels!
Thank you, Pamela!
Thinking of you as you head out. I know there must be so many mixed emotions, but I am so looking forward to seeing whatever is next for you (I'm convinced there will be lots of BIG things)!
Thank you for such kind words, Elizabeth! I hope your move went well and you are beginning to feel a bit more settled!
Best wishes for a great move!! Gorgeous recipe and photos as always.
As always, gorgeous post! I love coming to your blog as I get inspired by your clean, colorful photos. Congrats on moving, where in CA are you locating to? I'm in Sacramento and after moving to CA from the East Coast 6 years ago I can now say that it was by far the best decision I ever made. Always hard to leave family behind, but exciting for new paths ahead!
I have a feeling I will feel the same way 🙂 I'm actually moving to Sacramento- my fiance took a job there and I'm following him out!
Everything looks delicious!! What a sweet gesture... best of luck with the move!
Thank you, Sarah!
Good luck Erin!!! Moves are always a combination of stressful, frightening, sad, and so exciting. I just know that it's going to be great, and you'll have amazing adventures!
Everything look SO good!! Goog luck with the move. I am excited to hear all about ti!
Good luck with the move, Erin! THis looks like a fitting send-off.
A perfect meal to celebrate the start of your new adventure : )
What a special meal to commemorate such a special time. Good luck to you.
What a good way to say goodbye! California is waiting for you... time to make some good food for friends and 'family' here sometime soon 🙂
Best of luck with the move, Erin! Looking forward to hearing about your California adventures.
I just made this last night and it was so good! Even better than I was expecting! And it even worked for lunch today 🙂 Thank you
This salad is the bomb. Cucumbers are fine, really, but I don't go out of my way to seek them out. However, with a friend giving me free homegrowns from his garden, I was looking for ways to like them more--and this is it. My whole family LOVES this salad, and I've made it three days in a row now. Thanks for the recipe--it's a keeper.
I'd give it another star if there was one.
Could you please tell us what type of seeds you sprinkled the salad with?
I'm guessing you're looking at the photo- those seeds are actually the quinoa!
Once made, how long does this keep in the fridge?
Not long- the spinach doesn't hold up. If you want to make it ahead of time, I suggest keeping the spinach separate until ready to serve.
I made this last night. Yummy! I didn’t have champagne vinegar but used 1tbsp mirin and 1 tbsp rice vinegar.