Name: Mediterranean Quinoa Salad: A Fresh and Flavorful Side or Light Meal
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup cooked quinoa, cooled; ½ cup halved cherry tomatoes; ½ cup diced cucumber; ¼ cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved; ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar; Salt and pepper, to taste

Description

Looking for a light, healthy dish that’s bursting with fresh flavor? This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is exactly what you need! Featuring fluffy quinoa, crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, briny Kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed in a simple lemon-olive oil dressing, this salad is the perfect balance of texture and taste. Whether you’re serving it as a refreshing side for grilled meats or enjoying it as a light, protein-packed main course, this recipe is sure to impress. Best of all, it comes together in minutes, making it ideal for meal prep, potlucks, or a quick weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad

1 cup cooked quinoa, cooled
½ cup halved cherry tomatoes
½ cup diced cucumber
¼ cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

For the Dressing

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Cook and Cool the Quinoa

Prepare the quinoa according to package instructions. Once cooked, spread it out on a plate or tray to cool completely. This step is important—warm quinoa can make the salad soggy.

Step 2: Prepare the Salad Ingredients

While the quinoa cools, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, halve the olives, and chop the parsley. Crumble the feta cheese if not already pre-crumbled.

Step 3: Mix the Salad

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped parsley. Toss gently to mix the ingredients evenly.

Step 4: Make the Dressing

In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 5: Dress the Salad

Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly. Be careful not to overmix, as you want to maintain the texture of the quinoa and vegetables.

Step 6: Serve or Chill

Serve the salad immediately for a bright, fresh taste, or refrigerate it for an hour to allow the flavors to meld together for a deeper, more cohesive flavor.

Notes

Quinoa Tips: Rinse quinoa thoroughly before cooking to remove its natural bitterness (saponins).

Chilling Time: While you can serve the salad immediately, chilling for 30 minutes to an hour helps the flavors develop and meld.

Dressing Adjustment: Taste the dressing before adding to the salad—adjust lemon juice or vinegar based on your preference for tanginess.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes (for quinoa)