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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Description
An easy and fresh summer quinoa salad using cucumbers, spinach, and a tangy dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 medium cucumber (1/2″ diced)
- 4 scallions (minced)
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 2 ounces feta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoon champagne vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chopped baby spinach
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the diced cucumber, scallion, quinoa, and feta.
- In a jar with a lid, shake together olive oil, vinegar, and salt. Pour over quinoa, mix well, and let sit until ready to serve.
- Toss with spinach just before serving.
Notes
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.
Nutrition
- Calories: 341
- Sugar: 4.8
- Sodium: 588
- Fat: 21.6
- Carbohydrates: 28.5
- Fiber: 4.6
- Protein: 10.3
- Cholesterol: 25.2
Cucumber Quinoa Salad
variations
I originally made this salad without the addition of the spinach but the salad felt a little lacking.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.
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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!