Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Falafel-ish Quinoa Salad shown in a large pink ceramic serving bowl. The salad is topped with lots of fresh parsley leaves. Two vintage spoons are nestled in the left side of the bowl. The bowl sits atop a white surface, with a gray & white striped linen nestled next to it & some lemon wedges off to the side.

Falafel-Inspired Quinoa Salad

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 8 reviews
  • Author: Jess Larson
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: serves 2-4 1x
  • Category: Side Dishes, Entrée Salads & Bowls Recipes
  • Method: Stovetop, No-Cook
  • Cuisine: Greek & Mediterranean
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A long-standing PWWB reader favorite, this Falafel-ish Quinoa Salad is one of my all-time favorite summer recipes. It’s loaded with all of the flavors & textures you expect in crispy fried falafel balls, but comes together as a light & herbaceous salad that dances the line between “perfect light lunch” & “easy side dish for dinner” absolutely beautifully.

A couple of quick tips to get you started:

  • Grains: For a good kick of plant-based protein, I always opt for quinoa. Check the blog post, above, for my go-to tips & tricks for perfectly light & fluffy quinoa every time. If you don’t like quinoa, feel free to swap in your grain of choice.
  • Veggies: Taking inspiration from a classic falafel salad, this quinoa salad comes together with cooling cucumber, crunchy red onions, & juicy-sweet summer tomatoes, but it’s a truly flexible recipe that you can make with whatever happens to already be in your refrigerator. Feel free to swap in your veggies of choice – just don’t skip the fresh herbs, which give the salad a fresh, herbaceous flavor reminiscent of real-deal falafel.
  • Prep tips: Like most cold salads, this recipe is very meal prep & make ahead-friendly. Be sure to check the blog post, above, for more guidance!

It’s an all-purpose summer salad that I’m confident you’ll come back to time & time again. ♡ Happy cooking!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups cooked quinoa (½ cup dry quinoa cooked according to package directions)
  • one 14-ounce can chickpeas, drained & rinsed
  • 1 small red onion, finely diced
  • 1 small cucumber, finely diced
  • 8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
  • optional: 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves & tender stems, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves & tender stems, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped

for the lemon-cumin dressing:

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 lemons, zested & juiced
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ground black pepper or crushed red pepper flake, as desired

Instructions

  1. Prepare the the lemon-cumin dressing: Add all listed ingredients to a small bowl or jar. Whisk or shake to combine. Set aside, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.Quinoa salad ingredients in individual small bowls, arranged on a white surface - red onion, quinoa, tomatoes, salad dressing, lemon, cucumber, chickpeas & fresh herbs.
  2. Assemble the falafel-inspired quinoa salad: Combine the quinoa, chickpeas, red onion, cucumber, tomatoes, feta (if using), & chopped herbs in a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over top. Toss to combine, ensuring all of the quinoa is well coated in the dressing. Taste, seasoning with additional salt or ground black pepper as desired.Falafel-ish Quinoa Salad in a large, pink serving bowl. A woman's hands hold the bowl up off of a white surface. Surrounding the salad are a linen napkin, & some lemon wedges.
  3. Serving: Enjoy it on its own for the perfect light + fresh vegetarian meal, or add a generous spoonful to your summer dinner plate. This salad is an awesome side dish for grilled chicken, turkey burgers, beer brats, or grilled sausage. Enjoy!Falafel-ish Quinoa Salad in a large, pink serving bowl. A woman's hands hold the bowl up off of a white surface. Surrounding the salad are a linen napkin, & some lemon wedges.


Notes

  • Storage: This falafel-inspired quinoa salad is best when served within 3 days of assembly, though it’ll keep for up to 5 days. Store the assembled quinoa salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 
  • Meal prep: If you’d like to do just a little prep in advance to help cut down on the active prep time when you make your falafel-inspired quinoa salad, there are a couple of different routes you can go:
    • 15-Minute Meal Prep: Chop the fresh herbs & veggies, & make the salad dressing. Prep the lemony dressing according to Recipe Directions, above, & store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Finely dice a cucumber & red onion. Halve or quarter some cherry tomatoes. Finely chop fresh parsley, cilantro & mint. Store the chopped veggies & herbs in individual airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 
    • 20-Minute Meal Prep: Cook the quinoa according to Recipe Directions, above. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. (5 minutes active prep)