Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe
A refreshing and healthy Mediterranean Quinoa Salad packed with fresh vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty lemon-oregano dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a vibrant side dish, this salad combines wholesome quinoa with crisp cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, and flavorful olives for a nutritious Mediterranean-inspired meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 3 Persian (mini) cucumbers or 1/2 English cucumber, sliced
- Generous handful little tomatoes, halved
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
- Handful kalamata olives, pitted
- 2 tablespoons red onion, chopped
- 3.5 ounces cubed feta cheese (preferably the kind packed in oil + herbs)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (or more to taste)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Quinoa: Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water to remove any bitterness. Cook according to package directions, usually by boiling 1 cup quinoa with 2 cups water for about 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Once cooked, fluff the quinoa with a fork and set aside to cool completely.
- Prepare Vegetables: While the quinoa is cooking and cooling, slice the cucumbers, halve the little tomatoes, chop the red and green bell peppers, chop the red onion, and pit the kalamata olives. Place all these chopped vegetables into a large salad bowl.
- Add Quinoa to Salad: Once the quinoa has cooled to room temperature, add it to the bowl with the prepared vegetables and mix gently to combine.
- Make and Add Dressing: In the same salad bowl, add olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and dried oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together thoroughly to ensure the dressing evenly coats the salad ingredients.
- Toss and Adjust Seasoning: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, olive oil or vinegar according to your preference.
- Serve or Chill: You can serve the salad immediately or chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. The salad can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Quinoa is best rinsed before cooking to reduce bitterness.
- This salad keeps well refrigerated and can be made a day ahead.
- Feel free to add fresh herbs like parsley or mint for extra freshness.
- Add a handful of toasted pine nuts or chopped nuts for crunch if desired.
- Using feta packed in oil adds extra flavor, but any feta cheese will work.
- Adjust the amount of oregano to suit your taste preference.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature depending on preference.
Keywords: Mediterranean, quinoa salad, healthy salad, vegetarian, feta cheese, fresh vegetables, easy dinner, gluten free, light lunch
Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/mediterranean-quinoa-salad-recipe/
