Spanish Style Chicken Wings with Paprika and Garlic Sauce
Moroccan Chickpea Salad

Moroccan Quinoa Salad

A perfect light supper and one of the site's most popular recipes, this magnificent salad is packed with flavour.

5 Rate
Moroccan Quinoa Salad
  • Prep time:
    10 Minutes
  • Serves:
    6
  • Cook time:
    10 Minutes

Ingredients

3 Cup cooked quinoa (1 cup dried)
1/3 Cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
3 Tablespoon olive oil
2 Teaspoon ground cumin
1 Teaspoon salt
1/4 Teaspoon sugar
1-1/2 Cup canned black beans, rinsed
1-1/2 Cup corn kernels (about 2 cobs) or defrosted frozen
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 Pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/2 Cup slivered almonds, toasted
1/4 cup chopped green or black olives
1/4 Cup chopped fresh mint
1/4 Cup chopped fresh coriander

Preparation

  1. Cook quinoa, according to package instructions.
  2. While quinoa is cooking, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, cumin, salt and sugar into a vinaigrette in a small bowl.
  3. Combine quinoa and all remaining ingredients, except fresh herbs, into a medium-sized bowl.
  4. Drizzle with vinaigrette. Toss to combine.
  5. Refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavours to combine. Add fresh herbs just prior to serving. May be served at room temperature.

Nutritional Information

Nutrients per serving: 407 calories, 17 g fat, 14 g protein, 56 g carbohydrates, 11 g fibre. Excellent source of vitamin E, folic acid, thiamin, iron, zinc, phosphorus and magnesium.

Wine Pairing

Off-dry Riesling

Off-dry Riesling (Germany or Ontario) slightly sweet, lots of zippy acidity.

Check out Brian Heard for professionally guided wine tastings, consulting and freelance writing at KW Tastings !

Add your own comment (62)


SHERIL

15 Aug, 2009

I made this for the first time today, and it is absolutely delicious. I didn't do any variations to the recipe the first time, but making it next time, I may add seeds (sunflower/pumpkin) for more nutrition. It was a crowd pleaser. Thanks!

Akarsha

20 Aug, 2009

Looks delicious!

Sara

23 Aug, 2009

What is and where do I find quinoa?

Lana

24 Aug, 2009

Quinoa can be found in health food stores or in the health food section of your grocery store. It is a grain like product that is gluten free. It has similar taste and texture to couscous.

Bianca

25 Aug, 2009

It is extremely high in fiber, iron, magnesium and protein; considered to be the “mother of all grains”. It is the easiest most delicious grain you will ever cook! Bob’s Red Mill is the most common brand found in Canadian grocery stores – however, if you have an organic market or a Whole Foods nearby you can buy it in bulk (much less expensive). Make sure you rinse the grains if you buy it in bulk. Enjoy!

Bianca

25 Aug, 2009

... For every cup of dry quinoa you need 2 cups of water (the link above does not work?). Try vegetable stock, it adds excellent flavour!

nickonchuks

03 Sep, 2009

I substituted couscous for quinoa in this recipe, and it was amazing. I don't have anything against quinoa, I just live in a smallish town and could not readily obtain any. I will be making this one again!

Debi

13 Sep, 2009

Since discovering I am gluten intolerant I am looking for great recipes like this, Haven't tried quinoa yet but found it at my local store in white & red, what is the difference between them as far as taste & nutritional value. The red is prettier & I thought it might be better for you. Can't wait to try this recipe , I have to convince my hubby gluten free food can be good too.

Libby

01 Oct, 2009

Sodium content should be provided for every recipe.

vancouvervegan

19 Feb, 2010

Quinoa is a seed, not a grain. Great recipe btw :)

Taylor

27 Mar, 2010

This is a delicious and nutritious salad with beautiful textures and colour.

Lisa

29 Apr, 2010

This dish tastes great and is easy to make. Thanks Sheril for the idea about adding sunflower seeds, they tasted amazing :)

valuliana

03 May, 2010

I didn't put the mint nor the coriander, but instead, put in 1/2 cup of cilantro and it was delicious!

Kristin Steinke

13 May, 2010

This is delicious. I just leave out the olives because I do not like them. I love this recipe!!!

Paulina

20 May, 2010

Today I'm making this for my second time - it's delicious! I followed the recipe but didn't add any mint (although that might be good too).

Kathleen Hay

25 May, 2010

Tastiest salad imaginable!!! Perfect for yourself or to take to a party where there will be rave reviews. Exceedingly healthy!! But note, while you can make it roughly 20 minutes, you need an hour or so for it to rest in the fridge while the flavours blend.

maritimer

27 May, 2010

re: valuliana's comment people often confuse/conflate cilantro and coriander. they are the same thing (see Wikipedia's helpful entry), but in north america the dried SEEDS (ground as a spice) are often referred to as coriander, and the fresh greens are called cilantro (from the spanish word for the plant, 'culantro'. i believe they must do this in an attempt to reduce confusion (ha ha - good luck w. that?)

June

23 Jun, 2010

This delicious salad has become one of my faves. Friends have requested me make up whole batches for them! I leave out the mint & coriander and substitue with 1/2 cup chopped parsley instead. I also find that I like to add a bit more cumin and salt; it ramps up the flavour just a bit. Re: where to find quinoa -- you can buy a 1.2 kg bag (organic, pre-rinsed) at Costco for about $9 !!

Jess

29 Jun, 2010

Excellent healthy and tasty quick meal! Thanks for posting.

wendyinmexico@msn.com

03 Jul, 2010

Quinoa is from south America,,,,ie Ecuador. You can buy it in bullk at Bulk Barn. Great for those allergic to bread / wheat. Makes a great cereal. Like it a lot more than cous cous which is still processed wheat based.

meechacho

05 Jul, 2010

was a wonderful dish for a summer evening. made it for the first time tonight (minus olives & almond slices) but it was hearty enough to have as a meal on its own. i'd say definitely pick quinoa up at your bulk food store/dept. i was floored when i picked up a bag of Bob's Red Mill for $10 at No Frills. Buying bulk is cheap, cheap, cheap.

Liz

14 Jul, 2010

How long does this salad keep, I usually like left overs?

monika.langhammer

22 Jul, 2010

I made this for the first time last week, without the beans, and I ended up having to make it five more times that week for all the people who loved it but didn't have any quinoa! It tasted even better two days later. I've used quinoa for years but never in a salad...Thanks for the easy recipe!

Roxy

26 Jul, 2010

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Roxy

26 Jul, 2010

Loved this salad. Even my husband thought it was great. He is not fond of beans and things that are a bit different. I changed the recipe...omitting the olives, mint, almonds and tomatoes. I used chopped walnuts, sunflower seeds, red and orange peppers. That's what was in my kitchen. Next time I will add the tomatoes just didn't want them to go soggy over the next day or so. Thanks for the recipe.

Elizabeth

29 Jul, 2010

How long does this salad keep in the fridge, alway have leftovers?

thepullas

26 Aug, 2010

Quick, easy & healthy (not to mention delicious). Would be great with diced cooked chicken added. A keeper!

Karen

02 Sep, 2010

OMG - what else is there to say. I tried this last night and it was absolutely amazing and we consider ourselves "foodies".

Li

15 Oct, 2010

It was brilliant! I made it with the Morrocan Pork stir fry.... yum. Took us longer than 20 minutes though, but perhaps next time we can do it quicker!

jibsy

19 Oct, 2010

FANTASTIC RECIPE Like most salads, it is a very forgiving recipe. If you have a little more or a little less or any particular ingredient it will still work. I did not use the almonds (nut allergy) called for in the recipe but substituted roasted, unsalted sunflower seeds. I did not have red onion but had some green onions that were just fine. (I think chives would be nice too). I also used diced seedless cucumber in the recipe (coz I had some that I needed to use up).

LALALA

30 Oct, 2010

I tried another quinoa and it was rather tasteless so i'll try this one!!! it looks really yummy

Abby

05 Dec, 2010

They sell organic quinoa at Costco!

Lawrie

21 Dec, 2010

I just made this salad and it is fantastic!! I will definitely vote for this recipe as my favourite. Please try it - you will not be disappointed! Thanks LeeAnne

anewme

07 Feb, 2011

Made this the other day...the whole family loved it!

anewme

07 Feb, 2011

Made this the other day...the whole family loved it!

your name

23 Feb, 2011

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your name

12 Mar, 2011

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Allison

27 Mar, 2011

This is so tasty, and if you don't have absolutely everything the recipe calls for, it will still be good.

Barb

02 Apr, 2011

Meh - I've had better. I was looking forward to this too.

not barb

17 Apr, 2011

What a thoughtful contribution, Barb! This recipe looks great. I will use this as the blue print and adapt from there.

Penny Talbot

28 May, 2011

Just made this for a crowd, and I can't wait to take it over.. tastes DELISH!!! trying to figure out the points for weight watchers... if I use the numbers given to calculate, it ends up being 11 points or something ridiculous.. if I take every ingredient and add those points up and divide by 6 - it's like 4 points a serving... and those are BIG servings. I think I'll go with the 4 points !!!

Ivanna

31 May, 2011

A friend brought this for lunch yesterday, it was delicious. Will definitely make this for friends and family.

Raisin

31 May, 2011

5 plus for this one and easy to make but beware, it makes alot, not that I'm complaining.... I put half green and black olives, I couldn't find fresh coriander so I put 3/4 tsp of dry and no mint at all since there was no fresh and I had no dry. I am bringing it to work tomorrow to share with my co-workers. I think this is light enough to go with a chicken kabob and cut up cucumber maybe...or all by itself. Try it, you won't regret it!!!

Brian

05 Jun, 2011

A nice variation is using limes instead of the lemon - lime goes well with mint and cumin. I also added feta cheese this time round - a nice saltiness to the mix. A great salad for summer bbq parties.

bjnr

14 Jul, 2011

It is a delicious and nutritious salad. I have have it at least 2 times per week .

your name

23 Jul, 2011

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your name

11 Aug, 2011

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Colleen

23 Aug, 2011

This is one of the most refreshing, delicious salads I have served. It was gone in no time-devoured by a group of 20 somethings at a picnic. Thanks for this

Andrea

19 Sep, 2011

My mom made this and it is amazing! My husband even loved it.. I can't wait to try it again!

Brigitte in Halifax

23 Sep, 2011

Excellent vegetarian dish for pot-luck dinners - was eaten up! Very versatile - substitute or add any fresh ingredients you want - it IS a salad after all! I have made it many times - every time a little different. Have substitued jarred tapenade dip and another time capers instead of olives - very good results! Also works well even if you don't have the fresh herbs.

your name

16 Oct, 2011

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your name

25 Nov, 2011

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Patricia Ward

09 Dec, 2011

This is a great way to get your meat-free protein.

your name

09 Dec, 2011

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Matt

09 Jan, 2012

Thanks for sharing! Made this tonight for supper! Turned out really well! And yummy!

Nada

13 Jan, 2012

Love this recipe. It is a go to for our family. I eliminate the olives and add chicken for an extra protein boost. Thank you.

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19 Jan, 2012

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kinnikinnick

29 Jan, 2012

Great recipe. I subbed Ras El Hanout for the ground cumin, and honey for the sugar. The salad was a huge hit at the pot luck I made it for. Thanks!!

The Vegan Apprentice

29 Jan, 2012

Yum! Great recipe. It was perfect for a summery lunch in Perth Australia. http://theveganapprentice.blogspot.com/2012/01/moroccan-quinoa-salad.html

angela

30 Jan, 2012

Pretty good, but I added some mango to add some sweet flavour contrast (mind you, I didn't have corn or tomatoes).

Pam

30 Jan, 2012

I love this recipe. I make it exactly like the recipe minus the fresh coriander and it is delicious. I also only use fresh olives as it does enhance the taste. I have given this recipe to many friends and they all love it even the non-vegetarian folks

Trish

01 Feb, 2012

Costco sells a huge bag for a great price, much much cheaper then the health foods stores. it is an organic one too. i buy it from costco all the time.