Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

Packed with protein and fresh Mediterranean flavors, these quinoa bowls are a wholesome, no-fuss lunch! Roasted chickpeas add crunch, while the zesty lemon-tahini dressing ties everything together. Ready in 35 minutes and easily customizable!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Category: Lunch
Dietary Info: Vegetarian, Vegan Option, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

Overhead shot of quinoa, chickpeas, tahini jar, lemon, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and olives arranged on a marble slab with olive branches
PHOTO: CHEF SOPHIA

For the Bowl Base:

  • ½ cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and patted dry
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Roasted Veggies & Toppings:

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cucumber, diced
  • ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ avocado, sliced
  • ¼ cup Kalamata olives
  • Handful of fresh parsley

For the Lemon-Tahini Dressing:

  • 3 tbsp tahini
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp water (adjust for consistency)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • ½ tsp maple syrup (optional)
  • Salt to taste

Equipment Needed

Baking sheet with roasted chickpeas, saucepan of quinoa, whisk in a bowl of tahini dressing, and fresh parsley on a linen cloth
PHOTO: CHEF SOPHIA
  • Baking sheet
  • Saucepan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk

Instructions

Four-step collage (1) chickpeas roasting in oven, (2) quinoa simmering, (3) whisking tahini dressing, (4) assembling bowls with veggies
PHOTO: CHEF SOPHIA

1. Roast the Chickpeas:

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Toss chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
  • Spread on a baking sheet and roast 15-20 minutes until crispy.

2. Cook the Quinoa:

  • In a saucepan, combine quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 12-15 minutes until fluffy. Let rest 5 minutes.

3. Prep the Veggies:

  • While quinoa cooks, chop tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and avocado.

4. Make the Dressing:

  • Whisk tahini, lemon juice, water, garlic, maple syrup, and salt until smooth. Add more water if too thick.

5. Assemble the Bowls:

  • Divide quinoa between bowls. Top with roasted chickpeas, fresh veggies, avocado, and olives. Drizzle with tahini sauce and garnish with parsley.

Nutrition Per Serving

  • Calories: 480
  • Protein: 14g
  • Carbs: 52g
  • Fat: 25g
  • Fiber: 12g
Colorful Mediterranean quinoa bowl with golden roasted chickpeas, fresh veggies, avocado slices, and lemon-tahini drizzle in a handcrafted ceramic bowl, rustic wooden background

Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls with Lemon-Tahini DressingSophia
Packed with protein and fresh Mediterranean flavors, these quinoa bowls are a wholesome, no-fuss lunch! Roasted chickpeas add crunch, while the zesty lemon-tahini dressing ties everything together. Ready in 35 minutes and easily customizable!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Lunch
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 2 People
Calories 480 kcal

Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Saucepan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk

Ingredients
  

For the Bowl Base:

  • ½ cup quinoa rinsed
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup canned chickpeas drained and patted dry
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Roasted Veggies & Toppings:

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • ½ cucumber diced
  • ¼ red onion thinly sliced
  • ½ avocado sliced
  • ¼ cup Kalamata olives
  • Handful of fresh parsley

For the Lemon-Tahini Dressing:

  • 3 tbsp tahini
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp water (adjust for consistency)
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • ½ tsp maple syrup (optional)
  • Salt to taste

Instructions
 

Roast the Chickpeas:

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Toss chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
  • Spread on a baking sheet and roast 15-20 minutes until crispy.

Cook the Quinoa:

  • In a saucepan, combine quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 12-15 minutes until fluffy. Let rest 5 minutes.

Prep the Veggies:

  • While quinoa cooks, chop tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and avocado.

Make the Dressing:

  • Whisk tahini, lemon juice, water, garlic, maple syrup, and salt until smooth. Add more water if too thick.

Assemble the Bowls:

  • Divide quinoa between bowls. Top with roasted chickpeas, fresh veggies, avocado, and olives. Drizzle with tahini sauce and garnish with parsley.
Keyword Gluten-Free, Vegan Option, Vegetarian

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