Asparagus Chickpea Quinoa Salad

Published on March 16, 2021 This Asparagus Chickpea Quinoa Salad with feta cheese and a simple lemon vinaigrette is perfect for spring. It is fresh, simple, healthy and perfect for lunch or dinner! I don’t know about you, but I am ready for spring. Sunshine, warmer days, and fresh food! I made this simple Asparagus Chickpea Quinoa Salad and it definitely made my day brighter and more delicious. I love making quinoa salads and this one is perfect for spring. The salad is light, fresh, and the green colors are so vibrant. It makes a great lunch or side dish for dinner.

How to Cook Quinoa

I love adding quinoa to salads because it is healthy, hearty, and a great way to add extra protein. It is also easy to cook. Always rinse quinoa before cooking. Place it in a fine mesh strainer and rinse with cold water. Rinsing removes quinoa’s natural coating, called saponin, which can make it taste soapy or bitter. To cook quinoa, add water, quinoa, and salt to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Turn the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.

Simple Spring Quinoa Salad

To this quinoa salad, I add roasted asparagus, chickpeas, green onion, feta cheese, and a simple lemon vinaigrette. The flavors scream spring and compliment each other so nicely. I love making this salad during the springtime, when asparagus is in season. The chickpeas and quinoa provide great protein. If you want to even more protein, you can serve with chicken, fish, or steak. It would also be a great salad to take on a picnic or to a potluck. If you aren’t a fan of feta cheese, you can use goat cheese or Parmesan cheese. If you need the salad to be vegan or dairy-free, you can leave out the feta cheese. It is super simple salad, but super delicious. Sometimes the simple recipes are the best recipes! Bring a little spring into your kitchen and make this easy Asparagus Chickpea Quinoa Salad.

How to Store

Store the quinoa salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It is good cold or at room temperature. You can always refresh with a little extra dressing or squeeze of lemon juice.