Description
This Orange-Mint Freekeh Salad with Lima Beans is a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired salad bursting with chewy freekeh, tender lima beans, juicy orange segments, fresh mint, and crunchy vegetables. Tossed in a zesty citrus dressing with hints of cumin, this refreshing salad balances sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, making it perfect for healthy lunches, vegetarian dinners, or convenient meal prep.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 cup uncooked freekeh
- 1 can (15 oz) lima beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 medium oranges, peeled and segmented
- ½ cucumber, diced
- ½ small red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped pistachios or almonds
For the Citrus Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the freekeh: Thoroughly rinse the freekeh under cold water to remove any dust or impurities.
- Cook the freekeh: Bring 2½ cups of water or vegetable broth to a boil in a saucepan. Add the rinsed freekeh, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes or until the freekeh is tender.
- Drain and cool: Drain any excess liquid from the cooked freekeh and set it aside to cool to room temperature.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the cooled freekeh, drained lima beans, orange segments, diced cucumber, and finely chopped red onion.
- Add fresh herbs: Stir in the chopped fresh mint and parsley to infuse the salad with bright herbal notes.
- Prepare the citrus dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh orange juice, lemon juice, honey, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Toss salad with dressing: Pour the citrus dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to evenly coat everything.
- Add toppings: If desired, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and chopped pistachios or almonds on top for added flavor and texture.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the salad for 15–20 minutes to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use cracked freekeh for a quicker cooking time compared to whole freekeh.
- You can substitute quinoa or bulgur wheat if freekeh is not available.
- Fresh mandarin oranges make a sweet alternative to regular oranges.
- Add grilled chicken or chickpeas to increase the protein content.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese and replace honey with maple syrup.
- Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for best freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Salad, Lunch, Healthy Recipes, Side Dish, Meal Prep
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
