Whole30 Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Bright, fresh, and irresistibly satisfying, this Whole30 Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is a nutritious twist on a beloved classic. Packed with protein-rich quinoa, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and vibrant red bell peppers, every bite is bursting with Mediterranean flavors. Kalamata olives, fresh parsley, and mint add a refreshing zing, while a zesty lemon-garlic dressing ties it all together. Perfect as a wholesome side dish, a light lunch, or a make-ahead meal, this salad is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and compliant with Whole30 guidelines. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's the ultimate go-to for healthy meal prep or a refreshing dish to share with friends. Whether served chilled or at room temperature, this quinoa salad will become your new favorite Mediterranean-inspired staple!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 large cucumber
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 0.5 small red onion
- 0.5 cup kalamata olives
- 0.5 cup fresh parsley
- 0.25 cup fresh mint
- 0.25 cup lemon juice
- 0.25 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Rinse the quinoa under cold water using a fine-mesh sieve.
In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
Once cooked, fluff the quinoa with a fork and set aside to cool.
While the quinoa is cooling, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and chop the red bell pepper and red onion into small pieces.
Roughly chop the kalamata olives, parsley, and mint.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, olives, parsley, and mint.
In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
Pour the dressing over the quinoa salad and toss until well combined.
Adjust salt and pepper to taste, if necessary.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for a couple of hours to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1574 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 103.1 g | 132% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.3 g | 62% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 5029 mg | 219% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 137.9 g | 50% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.4 g | 59% | |
| Total Sugars | 19.0 g | ||
| Protein | 31.0 g | 62% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 329 mg | 25% | |
| Iron | 13.1 mg | 73% | |
| Potassium | 1759 mg | 37% | |
*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.
