Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls with Cashew Tzatziki Sauce comes together with mixed greens, quinoa, cucumber, tomato, red onion, green onion, and olives.
Quinoa bowls are one of my favorite lunches. I don't consider myself somebody who meal preps, but as I sit down to write this blog post, maybe I am? I tend to make one or two meals for lunch then portion them out throughout the week. I have always hated leftovers, but for some reason lunch bowls are different. Easy to prepare, not too much prep work, and effortless to throw together and eat!
For this bowl, I actually decided to toss in some mixed greens - so do we call it a salad now?! I'll keep it named as a bowl since I really didn't go too heavy on the greens. Once I laid down my bed of lettuce, I scooped on a nice spoonful (or two) of quinoa, chopped veggies, creamy and delicious cashew tzatziki sauce, and treated myself to a few of my homemade pita bread wedges.
This Mediterranean quinoa bowl might be my favorite to date because of all it has going on. From the greens base and the fluffy quinoa to the soft pita bread and crunchy veggies, this lunch has it going on. You can't forget about the mouth-watering sauce either, though! That might be the star of this show.
For a bowl that has so much going on, you might think the prep would be insane but honestly, it couldn't be easier. To make the sauce, toss the ingredients in your blender and mix until smooth, then let chill in your fridge. Throw the quinoa in your rice cooker and let it do all the work for you. As it cooks, chop your veggies - and there ya go, time for lunch!
I used to shy away from making sauces that required cashews, but to be honest, they're always such a treat and soooo creamy! Like, unbelievably smooth and delicious. Please do yourself a favor and try it out now - don't wait for years like I did haha 🙂 The other interesting ingredient that's new around here is hemp seeds. I have been loving them as salad toppings but with their soft texture, they're perfect for blending into sauces too.
Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls with Cashew Tzatziki Sauce
Ingredients
To make the quinoa
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups vegetable broth
To make the sauce
- ½ cup cashews soaked for at least 4 hours
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon tahini
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 1 garlic clove chopped
- ½ cucumber diced
- ½ tablespoon dill
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 1 bag mixed greens
- ½ cucumber sliced
- 1 tomato sliced
- ½ red onion sliced
- 1 bunch green onion chopped
- 1 jar kalamata olives
Instructions
- To cook quinoa, rinse in a strainer under cool water then transfer to a rice cooker. Mix in vegetable broth and cook.
- To make the sauce, place all ingredients into a blender and mix until smooth and creamy. Depending on desired consistency, you may need to add more water, lemon juice, or tahini. Taste and adjust seasoning, if needed.
- To serve, divide mixed greens portions out and make a bed at the bottom of each bowl. Place quinoa portions on top, then top with the desired amount of cucumber, tomato, red onion, green onion, and olives. Drizzle with cashew tzatziki sauce.
Notes
Jaclyn Musselman says
Yum I love making quinoa bowls...the sauce looks so yummy!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
I hope you give it a try 🙂 Let me know what you think, if you do!
Jules Shepard says
An absolutely beautiful bowl and healthy to boot!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks, Jules!
Lia says
Yummy these look delicious!!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thank you so much, Lia!
Denise Riehle says
Wow! Never thought of trying a Tzatziki sauce with cashews - I can't wait to try this receipe! Thank you for sharing.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks, Denise! Let me know what you think 🙂
Rochelle says
This looks delicious and simple to make! If only I could get my husband on board with Quinoa 🙂
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Mine finally came around to it and now we eat it at least once a week probably! I hope you can get yours on board!
Kelsey says
I'm drooling! This looks delicious and so easy. You have great photography as well!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thank you SO much! I really appreciate your comment 🙂 Let me know if you try it.
Leslie says
Very cool way to make tzatziki sauce. It sounds delicious!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks 🙂 I hope you give it a try!
Shay says
Loving all the flavors in this bowl! Looks like the perfect lunch!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks so much, Shay!
Shannon says
I'm such a big Mediterranean food fan and this bowl looks amazing! Love that the tzatziki is cashew based!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Yesss! I hope you give this bowl a try 🙂
Gemma says
I love Mediterranean bowls. I am really intrigued by the cashew tzatziki.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
I hope you give it a try, it's so yummy!
Amanda Bradley says
This looks absolutely delicious! I love the type of recipes that are adaptable to your preferences and are relatively quick to make. Thank you so much for sharing this - I'm trying it soon!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your comment 🙂 Enjoy!
Leigh Suznovich says
Oh I love quinoa bowls, and these flavors look so amazing!!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
They're the best!! Thank you 🙂
Kortney says
Love a simple bowl for lunch. This dressing looks great, pulling everything together beautifully.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Absolutely!! Thank you so much 🙂
Chrystal Carver says
You totally had me at Cashew Tzatziki Sauce! Such a creative and delicious combination.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Yay, happy to hear that 🙂 I love that sauce for everything. It's sooo addicting!
Kristin Cook says
Other than the fact that I would take off the olives, this sounds really yummy and I LOVE how healthy it is. I am trying to make better, healthy choices. Thanks for sharing!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
You're welcome 🙂 I hope you give it a try!