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
Allison says
Oh I’m super excited I found this! What a great idea to put that in Quinoa! Thanks!
Christy says
What is the serving size for this?
Well if you are me, it makes one serving that you eat straight from the mixing bowl. :) If you are a normal person serving this as a main dish, I would say four servings, as a side, probably eight.
Sandi says
I make a very similar Greek Salad in Australia but my love is Pearl Couscous in mine. As it’s Minus 1 here salad is the last thing on my mind. LOL. A nice warm Soup would be nice.
Hi Sandi! Good news is I am a soup lover. You can find a wealth of soup recipes here.
CAROLE LEGRIS says
fantastic salad.
Isela says
Absolutely delicious! I made this for dinner this evening and it turned out fantastic. I did add a clove of garlic to the mix. :)
I’m so happy you liked it! This recipe gets so little attention but its a favorite of mine!
Trish Peterson says
Best Greek salad EVER!!! Love it!! I appreciate your recipes, they always come out perfect!
I’m so happy you liked it! Thank yo use much for your kind comment.
Kim says
I made this for dinner and the prep was quick and the flavor was light and delicious!! What a great summer dish! I also made the Greek dressing and we loved it!!
I’m so happy to hear this! Thank you for taking the time to come back and let me know!
Diane says
I just bought the ingredients for this and will take it to an event. I’m not nervous about it not being good since I haven’t made it before I serve it. I KNOW it will be good! I love cold quinoa salads! On my own (not creative or a good cook) I started making cold quinoa with just tomatoes, avocado, and onions mixed in. No dressing. We love that so this will be fantastic! Some at the event don’t eat dairy or oils so I’ll have the feta and dressing on the side. This should work great!
Putting those on the side is a great idea! I look forward to hearing how you like it!
Meaghan says
I’ve been making Greek salad for years and this has changed the game for me! SO delicious and the addition of a superfood… yes please!! Thank you I LOVE it!!
I’m so happy to hear this, Meaghan!
Lisa Marie says
Hi Lisa, made the salad a couple of weeks ago. It was amazing!! Made as is. I did use my favorite store greek dressing to save time. It was light, fresh and delicious. Thanks so much. Making it again tonight.
I’m so glad you liked it!