Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Bright, flavorful, and packed with wholesome ingredients, this Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is the ultimate healthy side dish or light meal. Featuring fluffy, protein-rich quinoa as a base, this salad is loaded with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, briny kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese, all tied together with a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing. Fresh parsley adds a burst of herbal freshness, while red onion gives it a touch of sharpness. Not only is it quick and easy to prepare in just 30 minutes, but it's also make-ahead friendly, making it perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or weeknight dinners. Serve this refreshing, gluten-free, and nutrient-packed salad chilled for a satisfying Mediterranean-inspired dish that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, seafood, or a simple pita and hummus platter.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium cucumber
- 0.5 medium red onion
- 0.5 cup kalamata olives
- 0.5 cup feta cheese
- 0.25 cup parsley
- 0.25 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Rinse quinoa under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer.
In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
Add the quinoa to the boiling water, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is fluffy and water is absorbed.
Once done, remove from heat and let it sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and let it cool to room temperature.
While the quinoa is cooling, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, finely chop the red onion, and slice the kalamata olives.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and olives.
Crumble the feta cheese and finely chop the parsley, then add both to the quinoa mixture.
In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until all ingredients are well coated.
Chill the salad for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve chilled as a refreshing dinner salad or alongside grilled meats or fish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1694 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 118.4 g | 152% | |
| Saturated Fat | 22.1 g | 110% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 67 mg | 22% | |
| Sodium | 4096 mg | 178% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 124.5 g | 45% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.3 g | 44% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.3 g | ||
| Protein | 38.4 g | 77% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 623 mg | 48% | |
| Iron | 11.5 mg | 64% | |
| Potassium | 1060 mg | 23% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
