Summer Tomato and Cucumber Quinoa Salad Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2024)

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Similar to tabbouleh but made with quinoa, this summer tomato and cucumber quinoa salad is perfection! The salad dressing is light and refreshing. Loaded with feta cheese and fresh parsley, this salad makes a greatside toany main course!

Summer Tomato and Cucumber Quinoa Salad Recipe | Little Spice Jar (1)Quick and refreshing! <– The epitome of a good salad — AmIRight?

Summery salads is what summer is ALL about. But really. I just loving using up fresh tomatoes and cucumbers in the summertime. And quinoa is just a great addition to salads when you’re serving it alongside a bit of salmonor chicken. Trust me. It’ll make one power packed meal that will keep you full of hours. Tomatoes – check. Cucumbers – check. Tantalizing pomegranate molasses and honey dressing – check. Oh and lots of FETA, FETA, FETA – check, check, and check!

This cucumber quinoa salad would probably be a sister to the middle eastern tabbouleh. We’re using quinoa instead of bulgur, flavoring our dressing with things like honey, and adding tons of salty feta to really make this a complete flavor experience. Dare I say, I maybe, sorta, kinda, like this salad a little more than traditional tabbouleh.

OhNoSheDidn’t.

Summer Tomato and Cucumber Quinoa Salad Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2)This isfor all my friends out there that love nontraditional salads. This salad has none of those traditional salad bases like baby spinach or romaine lettuce!

How about the dressing? It’s completely homemade. We’renot using those store-bought dressing that are loaded with who knows what. All the ingredients are simple and straight forward, except for one.

The only one that you may or may not have heard of is the pomegranate molasses. It’s an ingredients thats often used in Middle Eastern cooking and you see it in a lot of stews and what not. Simply put, it’s pomegranate juice that has been reduced with a bit of lemon juice and sugar.I purchased mine from my middle eastern specialty store (Phoenicia for my Houstonians out there). If you can’t find it, I suggest ordering it online. It really adds a ton of flavor to not only this dressing but also to marinades, drinks and stews!

The rest of the ingredients, as promised are simple – honey, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a good pinch of salt and pepper.

The pomegranate molasses and honey dressing really pair well with the sweet and tart cherry tomatoes in thiscucumber quinoa salad. Throw that feta into the mix and you’ve gotta match made in heaven! The fruity flavor of the dressing leaves this salad with a sweet, zesty, salty, well rounded flavor. Plus it takes like 3 seconds to whip up. <– I’m lovin’ it!

Summer Tomato and Cucumber Quinoa Salad Recipe | Little Spice Jar (3)Do yourself a favor.The next time you have extra quinoa leftover, use it in this tomato and cucumber quinoa salad. It’s the perfect way to turn it into something completely new.

And the best part is that it’scompletely vegetarian friendly! And filling I might add. It’s rare that I find a salad to be filling that doesn’t contain any protein from meat or beans. I had this on it’s own without a protein for lunch and it held me over easy for at least 3-4 hours. Also, it’s man-approved because the hubby (hater of all raw tomatoes) ate it without a complaint. Granted he did have a little protein on the side but all in all he did say he enjoyed it!

Also, the dressing on this quinoa salad can easily be made ahead of time and stored. And you can use it onleafy green salads as well!

Summer Tomato and Cucumber Quinoa Salad Recipe | Little Spice Jar (4)

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time10 minutes

Total Time20 minutes

Similar to tabbouleh but made with quinoa, this summer tomato and cucumber quinoa salad is perfection! The salad dressing is light and refreshing. Loaded with feta cheese and fresh parsley, this salad makes a great side to any main course!

Summer Tomato and Cucumber Quinoa Salad Recipe | Little Spice Jar (5)

Ingredients

dressing:

  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoonpomegranate molasses
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

salad:

  • 3 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1 1/2 cups cucumber slices (halves or quarters)
  • 10 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half
  • 1/3 cup parsley, chopped
  • 1/3 cup crumbled feta

Instructions

  1. DRESSING:Combine the lemon juice, garlic, honey, pomegranate molasses, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk in the olive oil until the dressing is combined. Check for seasonings and adjust as desired.
  2. SALAD:In a large bowl, toss together the quinoa, cucumber slices, tomatoes, parsley, and crumbled feta. Add the dressing when ready to serve and toss to combine.

Notes

  • If you would like to prepare the salad in advance: Keep the salad component and the dressing separate until you are ready to serve.

Have you made this recipe?

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #LITTLESPICEJAR, I'd love to see what you made!

Summer Tomato and Cucumber Quinoa Salad Recipe | Little Spice Jar (6)

IF YOU LIKE THIS RECIPE, YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Spring Couscous Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

Mexican Street Corn Salad with Black Beans and Avocados

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Summer Tomato and Cucumber Quinoa Salad Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2024)

FAQs

Why you can't eat cucumber and tomato at the same time? ›

Tomatoes and cucumbers have different digestion time and mixing them can cause health complications. The bad food combination can trigger digestive problems such as stomach ache, gas, nausea and bloating. ... So it is more beneficial to our health to eat cucumbers without any additions.”

Is cucumber and tomato salad good for you? ›

Tomatoes and cucumbers are low in fat and calories as well as protein. Having only tomatoes and salad as part of your diet won't be a healthy option. It is recommended to add more protein to your diet.

Why we should not eat cucumber at night? ›

According to experts, eating a large amount of cucumber makes the stomach feel full and satisfied. However, they should be avoided at night as consuming too much can cause bloating and sleep disturbances.

Which fruit should not be eaten together? ›

Acidic and sub-acidic fruits such as grapefruits, strawberries, apples, pomegranates, and peaches, should never be combined with sweet fruits such as bananas and raisins. This is because it often leads to digestive problems, nausea, acidosis, and headaches.

What should not be mixed with tomato? ›

Tomatoes, which are considered acidic, do not mix well with starchy carbs such as pasta. This already-cumbersome combo turns into a recipe for digestive problems when you add dairy to it.

Can you eat too many cucumbers and tomatoes? ›

Cucumber and tomato are individually healthy, but they do not make a healthy combination. Having them together might lead to digestion troubles.

Can I eat cucumber salad everyday? ›

Cucumbers contain upto 96% water content, which can keep you hydrated and meet daily needs. Getting enough water through fruits and vegetables ensures that cells get proper nutrition, you fight off exhaustion and stay energized through the day. Hence, cucumbers make for a good snacking option as well. Yes!

Can cucumbers go with tomatoes? ›

Cucumbers and tomatoes are natural companions, as the sweet, earthy tomatoes play well with the crisp cucumbers. Slivers of red onion give the two even more spark. It's a simple salad that never fails to satisfy.

Do tomatoes and cucumbers get along? ›

Cucumbers and tomatoes both prefer a warm environment and have similar growing requirements, so growing them together makes sense as well as being easier to care for.

Do tomatoes and cucumbers do well together? ›

According to garden experts, cucumbers and tomatoes share similar growing habits and grow well when planted in proximity. Since both are vining plants, space them at least 18 inches apart and install stakes to train them vertically as they grow.

Which vegetable should not be eaten together? ›

Some Useful Tips to Aid Digestion
DON'T EATWITH
Nightshades, e.g., potato, tomatomelon; cucumber, dairy products
Radishesbananas, raisins; milk
Tapiocafruit, especially banana and mango; beans, raisins, jaggary
Yogurtfruit; cheese, eggs, fish, hot drinks, meat, MILK, nightshades
9 more rows

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