I’m calling it right now, this is the prettiest salad you’ll ever eat.
Raw beets just do the most gorgeous things when it comes to color, am I right?
This tabbouleh is based off of a side I had at my local branch of Le Pain Quotidien. I’m a huge fan of LPQ because of all the vegan brunch offerings, and I’ve had the quinoa tabbouleh a couple times.
Normally it’s a leafy salad with just a hint of quinoa, but when I ordered it as a side in April (yes, April, I’ve been thinking about this for a while clearly), it came as a delicious, purple sample.
It was so different and delicious that IÂ knew I had to recreate it.
First, I made a small dressing of beets, lemon, plenty of herbs, and some other cooling goodies. After rinsing my quinoa, I actually cooked it in the microwave (sorry, but I’m not about to turn on the stove, and plus, you don’t ever get any sticking to the bottom of the pan in the microwave), let it cool a little, and tossed it with the beets. Then I let it allll chill in the fridge.
This salad is the perfect summer salad! It’s cooling from the cucumber and ginger, and packs a zesty punch of flavor from the lemon, mint, and basil! Plus, it takes little to no time to throw together.
And did I mention it’s super pretty?
You can learn more about quinoa and its health benefits here!
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- 2 cups water
- salt to taste
- 1 raw beet
- ¼ of a large English cucumber
- 1-2 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 4-6 mint leaves, chopped
- 2-4 basil leaves, chopped
- 1 tsp chopped fresh cilantro
- juice of half a lemon
- Rinse quinoa and combine with water in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with saran wrap and microwave on high for 8 minutes. Remove wrap carefully, add a pinch of salt, and stir. Replace wrap and return to microwave for 3-4 minutes. Remove wrap and let sit for 3 minutes.
- In a bowl, half your beet and grate it into the bowl (I found grating finely to be easier). Grate the cucumber in the bowl and add the ginger and chopped herbs. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Add salt to taste and lemon juice. Chill in fridge until cool and serve.
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Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
What a pretty quinoa, Medha! I love that you added beets to it. Sounds delicious!
Medha says
Thank you, Gayle!
mira says
This is so creative Medha ! Love quinoa and of course beets! Need to make this tabbouleh asap! Pinned!
Medha says
LMK if you do! Thanks for the pin!
Julia says
Agreed! Beets are so gorgeous, especially when raw. That lemon-herb dressing sounds absolutely amazing – a perfect salad to pack up and bring on a picnic! Love this recipe, girl!
Medha says
Thanks, Julia!
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
I don’t know why, but I’m obsessed with the color of beets. I don’t even like beets that much, but the color is just so pretty! I want this salad, uh, yesterday!
Medha says
Thanks 🙂
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
Beets always produce the most beautiful color! I love the flavor too and wish I had a bowl of this tabbouleh for lunch!
Medha says
Thanks, Ashley!
dixya | food, pleasure, and health says
i did not like beets until very recently..but now im a big fan and could totally go for this salad right now.
Medha says
Yay! Give it a try 🙂
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
This tabbouleh looks divine – I absolutely love that stunning colour from the beets! Delicious recipe, thanks for sharing Medha! 😀
Medha says
Thanks, Jess!
Katalina @ Peas and Peonies says
OMG That deep pink color, I would eat this non stop, I am so in love with beets and you used them here is such a nice and creative way!
Medha says
Thank you so much 🙂
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
Whoa! This salad is GORGEOUS! You totally win the prize for prettiest salad ever! I mean it’s like pink? red? purple-y? I love beets in anything and I really need this in my life!
Medha says
Thanks, Rachelle!
Mike@TheIronYou says
This has to be the pinkiest quinoa tabbouleh I’ve ever seen. I bet it tastes delish!
Medha says
Thank you 🙂
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
Such a gorgeous salad!! Almost to pretty to eat. I did say almost right? My sister in law would love this. She loves anything with quinoa and beets. Gonna have to make this for her when she comes over. Happy weekend!
Medha says
Let me know if you try it!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Okay gorgeous salad! I love quinoa tabbouleh, but have never had it with beets – sounds delicious, looks delicious…this recipe’s a 10!! Brava!
Medha says
Thanks, Annie!
Rachel Cooks says
Gorrrrrrrgeous! I need this in my life.
Medha says
Thanks so much!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
That pink is just SO pretty! Love!
Medha says
🙂
Kathleen | HapaNomNom says
Yes! Yes, it is the prettiest salad I’ve ever seen! I love tabbouleh and I love beets, but I never thought to combine the two together! This is a brilliant and fabulous idea! I’ve already written down the ingredients for my next shopping trip!
Medha says
Yay! LMK if you try!
Ashley says
Agreed! I always love the color of beets! This tabbouleh looks delicious!
Medha says
Thanks, Ashley!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Love the gorgeous color from the beets! Such a wonderful idea! This tabbouleh sounds amazing!
Medha says
Thanks so much 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Medha, I LOVE this gorgeous, vibrant dish! Amazing what one little beet can do right?!!! love! looks so delicious!
Medha says
Right! Thanks 🙂
Mary Frances says
Whoa. I knew beet gave food some pretty amazing color, but this is something else! The prettiest salad around for sure!
Medha says
Thanks, Mary Frances!
Erin@WellPlated says
I have not had enough beets yet this summer. What a stunning way to use them!
Medha says
Thank you 🙂
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
The color is so gorgeous!
Medha says
Thanks!
Balvinder says
This is the prettiest quinoa dish I have ever seen!
Medha says
Thanks so much 🙂
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says
Oh my goodness! This is definitely one of the prettiest salads I’ve ever seen! Love the color!
Medha says
Thanks!
Cailee says
This is the “prettiest salad” Love that beautiful natural color!! YUM!
Medha says
Thanks, Cailee 🙂
Zainab says
This is really pretty!! Now that’s a salad I should be eating everyday.
Medha says
Yup 🙂
nadia says
Looks delicious and that colour is so beautiful 😀
Medha says
Thanks so much!
Anna @ shenANNAgans says
Totes DIGGING beetroot, so tasty, and pretty, and YARM! Making this salad for sure. 🙂
Medha says
LMK if you do try!
Alison says
You said it, this is gorgeous! I love tabbouleh, but I’ve never incorporated beets into it. I can’t wait to try this!!
Medha says
Thanks, Alison!
Izzy says
I so agree, beets are the most gorgeous color ever! Which makes this tabbouleh salad the prettiest tabbouleh ever! And I bet it tastes so good too 🙂
Medha says
Thank you, Izzy!
Cakespy says
It really is an awfully pretty salad!! 🙂
Medha says
🙂
Lu | Super Nummy Yo! says
This is so beautiful, creative, and looks super fresh for summer!
Medha says
Thanks, Lu!
felicia | Dish by Dish says
Medha! I’m so glad I found your blog via Thalia’s! I saw your comment and your blog name and I was like I have to check this blog out! And then your herbed beet quinoa tabbouleh hits me in the face with its glorious fuschia color. Love love love this dish and its vibrant colors! 🙂
Sending wishes from Buenos Aires!
felicia
Medha says
So glad you found the blog! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Danielle says
Hi Medha! If this isn’t beautiful I cannot tell you what is! I think the herbs and the beets are such a great compliment to this salad. Food is meant to be awed and coveted and inspired. Hope you’re having a nice summer!
Medha says
Thanks so much!