This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad makes such a delicious lunch or light dinner. It is full of fresh and delicious ingredients and is pulled together perfectly with Greek salad dressing!
If you have been following me for a while, you know I love quinoa. There is so much that is great about quinoa. The thing that I love the most about it is that it acts as both a carbohydrate and a protein in recipes, while still being gluten-free. Its consistency is somewhat like rice (making it a great replacement like when I turned cilantro lime rice into cilantro lime quinoa), but it is technically a seed, so it has protein in it. I find that that means it keeps me fuller much longer.
If you are looking to eat a little healthier, you will absolutely love this Mediterranean Quinoa Salad. It is full of healthy ingredients, can be made days in advance, and is absolutely deliciously filling.
Absolutely delicious! I made this for dinner this evening and it turned out fantastic.
How to Make Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
This Greek quinoa salad is amazing because it comes together so easily. It is full of amazing fresh ingredients and totally packed with flavor. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full recipe including all ingredients and their measurements.
- Make the quinoa. Read more on this below.
- Make the dressing. Whisk together the ingredients for the dressing. I love my Greek salad dressing on this recipe! But you could just as easily use my balsamic dressing.
- Chop the veggies. This is perfect to do while your quinoa cooks. The cucumber, red pepper, and onion all need to be chopped into small pieces.
- Combine the ingredients. Toss the cooked quinoa with the chopped vegetables, feta cheese, and dressing in a large bowl. If you are making this ahead of time, wait to add the dressing. Enjoy!
How to Make Quinoa
I love making my quinoa in the Instant Pot because it makes it so easy, but you can easily make it on the stovetop. The instructions for making it on the stove top is in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Rinsing Quinoa
No matter how you decide to make your quinoa, it is important to rinse it first. Rinsing the quinoa prevents it from having a bit of a bitter taste in the final recipe.
Instant Pot Quinoa
Greek Salad Dressing
This salad is tied together with my Greek salad dressing. Simple ingredients including red wine vinegar, olive oil, and lemon juice are whisked together to add amazing flavor to this quinoa salad. I love my homemade recipe, but if making your own dressing will hold you back from making this, use store-bought. You could also just as easily use my Balsamic Dressing in this salad.
Greek Salad Dressing Recipe
Substitutions and Variations
- Add in more protein. You could toss in some chickpeas (garbanzo beans) as we do in my Mediterranean salad. Cooked shrimp or shredded chicken would also be delicious additions.
- Make it vegan. This salad is already vegetarian, but if you remove the feta it will be vegan as well. I would suggest that if you remove the feta you add in some toasted pine nuts for added flavor and protein.
- Change out the vegetables. If you don’t like one of the vegetables in this recipe, you can remove it and double up one of the current vegetables or swap it out for red bell peppers or some arugula.
Storing This Salad
This salad is freshest the day it is thrown together. That being said, it will last in the refrigerator for up to four days in an airtight container. If you want to make it last longer, don’t toss the salad with the dressing right away.
Other Great Salads and Sides
If you make this Greek quinoa salad recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa dry and rinsed (180 grams)
- 2 Roma tomatoes diced
- 1 medium cucumber diced
- 1 small red pepper diced
- 1/2 red onion diced
- 6 ounces feta cheese crumbled (170.1 grams)
- 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives (113.5 grams)
- 1/2 cup Greek Salad Dressing or added to taste (124 grams)
- fresh parsley minced for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the rinsed quinoa and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, and continue cooking until all the water is absorbed, about 10 to 15 minutes. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and allow to cool. Alternatively, you can make Instant Pot Quinoa.1 cup quinoa
- After quinoa has cooled, combine with the veggies and feta.2 Roma tomatoes, 1 medium cucumber, 1 small red pepper, 1/2 red onion, 6 ounces feta cheese, 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives
- Top with Greek Salad Dressing to taste. Garnish with a little fresh parsley if desired.1/2 cup Greek Salad Dressing, fresh parsley
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
I absolutely LOVE quinoa! This salad looks pretty good!
Ashton says
Would it make you feel any better to know that I put probably as much baby weight as you did in this past year. But….. sans baby. So that’s a whole lot worse ;)
I am OBSESSED with quinoa salads! This looks amazing, and I can’t wait to try it! Pinned :)
Amy | Club Narwhal says
Lisa, you crack me up! And I’m dangerously close to sausage casing myself, and I don’t even have an adorable baby to show for it :) Guess I’ll have to whip up a batch of this tasty looking salad!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
i would never have thought to add quinoa to my greek salad! definitely something i will be trying. thanks!
Jennie says
Looks so good! I love quinoa and will have to try this!
Come by and share on my linkup today!
http://thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com
Sally says
I have to humbly admit that I’m one of the few people left who has not even tried quinoa. Your recipe has inspired me to try something new though. It isn’t a hot fudge sundae, but it looks pretty good! Of course it doesn’t hurt that I’m also currently kicking my “deal with the weight later” self in the behind.
You’ll like it! And then you can eat the sundae for dessert :)
Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy says
Pound cake top?! Sausage casing territory?! Seriously, Lisa! Your posts crack me up! I totally understand the post-baby weight thing! I never lost weight when I was nursing but seemed that as soon as I stopped, it was easier to lose. What’s up with that?! This Quinoa Bowl looks right up my alley! Pinned and can’t wait to try it!!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
Well I know I love Greek salads. I know that I am fond of quinoa in dishes. So this has to be a winning combination. Very creative.