Quinoa Tabouli Salad Gluten Free & Vegan

Quinoa tabouli is gluten free and vegan. A healthy tabouli salad brimming with parsley, tomato, mint and green onions. Plus it is super easy to prepare.

I love this quinoa tabouli salad as much as a traditional tabouli. Or is it correctly written tabbouleh? Or tabouleh, tabbouli or taboulah? I’m not quite sure and it seems all versions are correct. Therefore, I am going to go with Tabouli.

A simple Mediterranean salad that you will always find as a staple in a mezze. Normally made with burghul (bulgur) or cracked wheat. In this version I make the salad with quinoa.

The reason why I personally love this salad is the fresh flavours and the tang of lemon. It is simply dressed with a splash of olive oil, squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of salt. You let the salad ingredients speak for themselves.

Best made in summer when tomatoes are at their peak, but don’t let them not being in season stop you. I simply love tomatoes when in season.

You will see quite a few versions of tabouli using couscous instead of cracked wheat. Don’t be fooled, couscous is not gluten free. That is why quinoa is the perfect seed to use for this gluten free tabouli.

Tricks to making quinoa tabouli

Burghul adds texture to tabouli, therefore you want the quinoa to do the same. The last thing you want is over cooked quinoa floating around your salad. It is best to make your quinoa a few hours before you make the salad.

The trick to fluffy quinoa, which still has some gumption to it, is to spread it out on a tray once cooked. Don’t let it cool in the saucepan. Leave it uncovered to cool and dry out. Fluff your quinoa with a fork ever so often and turn it over. You will end up with perfect quinoa every time.

Recipe hazard zones

See above in order to not end up with soggy wet quinoa. Like any salad, dress your quinoa tabouli just before serving.

Special ingredients for this recipe

Quinoa is the golden child for this recipe. These days you can find all varieties of quinoa in your local supermarket or health food store. Alternatively, you can purchase it on line from various places including Affordable Wholefoods.

What to do with leftovers

This salad keeps very well in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of days. That’s if you have any left of course.

I hope you love this quinoa tabouli as much as I do. It is a popular one in my household. I often make it to have with a BBQ chicken or falafel, humous, tzatziki and pita pockets for an easy mid week meal.

Sara xxx

Other recipes you will love with this salad

Easy Spelt Pita Pockets – Who would have thought homemade flatbread could be so easy and tasty?
Nut and Cauliflower Falafel – recipe coming
Easy Baked Ocean Trout – You'll have dinner ready in no time!
Easy Gozleme Recipe – Makes for a delicious lunch with a side of quinoa tabouli!

Printable Recipe