Mustard Free Turmeric-Ginger Quinoa Tabbouleh
This vibrant grain salad takes the spirit of classic tabbouleh and gives it a bold, golden upgrade with fresh turmeric and ginger woven right into the dressing. The result is bright, herby, and deeply satisfying ā parsley and mint do the heavy lifting alongside juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and tender quinoa that soaks up every drop of that lemony, spiced vinaigrette. Because the dressing is built entirely from scratch with olive oil, citrus, and fresh aromatics, there's no reaching for a bottled condiment that might sneak in unwanted ingredients ā a real relief when you're navigating store-bought shortcuts that often hide problematic additions. Fresh turmeric and its ground counterpart double up to give the dressing a warm, earthy depth that pairs beautifully with the brightness of lemon juice and the gentle heat of black pepper. The quinoa base makes this heartier than traditional versions, and it holds up well enough to pack for lunch or serve as a stunning side at the table. A handful of pomegranate seeds scattered over the top right before serving adds a jewel-like pop of color and a sweet-tart finish that takes the whole bowl to another level.
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Learn more āIngredients
4 servings
For the quinoa
- 1 cup white quinoa
- 1 Ā¾ cups water
- Ā¼ tsp salt
For the dressing
- Ā¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 Ā½ lemons)
- 1 tsp fresh turmeric, peeled and finely grated
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
- Ā½ tsp ground turmeric
- Ā¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- Ā¼ tsp salt
For the salad
- 2 cups flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (about 1 large bunch)
- Ā½ cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
- 4 medium tomatoes, cored, seeded, and finely diced
- 2 persian cucumbers, finely diced
- 4 scallions (green tops only), thinly sliced
For serving
- Ā¼ cup pomegranate seeds (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Rinse the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer under cold running water for 30 seconds, then drain well. Combine the rinsed quinoa, water, and 1/4 tsp salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the water is fully absorbed and the quinoa tails have unfurled, about 13ā15 minutes.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the quinoa steam, covered, for 5 minutes. Uncover, fluff with a fork, and spread the quinoa onto a large mixing bowl or sheet pan to cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
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