Healthy and so easy to make, this Mediterranean Quinoa Salad makes a perfect lunch or dinner. All the flavors of Mediterranean cuisine in one bowl!
I’ve been on a roll in the kitchen this last week when it comes to making healthy salads. This tasty Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is just one of my recent successes. It combines all my favorite flavors and it is filling and so nutritious.
I know a lot of people who do not like quinoa. I personally love this wonder-grain and eat it quite often. My favorite way to enjoy it is adding it to a salad. I recently made this Greek Salad with Quinoa and it turned out very tasty too. This Mediterranean Quinoa salad I am sharing with you today is made with simple ingredients and it tastes fantastic. Even if you are one of those people who do not like quinoa, I suspect you’ll still enjoy this salad. Give it a try.
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ABOUT QUINOA
- Quinoa is one of the healthiest grains you can find.
- It is a great source of protein, fiber, iron, copper, thiamin and vitamin B6.
- It is very high in fiber, much higher than most grains
- It is gluten-free
- There are over 100 types of quinoa, but white and red grains are most popular in the US. While the white variety is more flavorful, the red contains more nutrients.
- Quinoa can help lose weight
If you’d like to learn more about quinoa, check out this article by Forbes: 7 Benefits Of Quinoa: The Supergrain Of The Future
FETA CHEESE
I recommend using a good quality feta cheese, as it makes a world of a difference. Try to find the kind that is sold in blocks and stored in brine. I purchase feta cheese from a local Bulgarian store, but you can find it in big health food stores or you can order feta cheese from Amazon
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MEDITERRANEAN QUINOA SALAD INGREDIENTS:
For the salad:
- 1/4 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup roasted peppers, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh or canned corn kernels
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1/3 cup feta cheese crumbles
For the dressing:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- salt, pepper
1. Start by boiling the quinoa in slightly salted water for 15-20 minutes, until it’s cooked through. Transfer the quinoa onto a plate and let it cool.
2. While the quinoa is cooling down, prepare the dressing by whisking all the dressing ingredients together.
3. Add the rest of the salad ingredients to the quinoa and pour the dressing on top.
4. Mix everything together and enjoy!
WATCH HOW TO MAKE MEDITERRANEAN QUINOA SALAD
- 1/4 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup roasted peppers, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh or canned corn kernels
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1/3 cup feta cheese crumbles
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- salt, pepper
- Start by boiling the quinoa in slightly salted water according to the package instructions (15-20 minutes). Once cooked, drain and let it cool.
- Prepare the dressing by whisking all the ingredients together.
- in a medium bowl, combine quinoa and the rest of the salad ingredients and pour the dressing on top. Mix everything gently and enjoy.
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Before you go…
Check out these recipes
CREAMY CUCUMBER-RADISH SALAD
WATERMELON, STRAWBERRY AND FETA SALAD
CREAMY CUCUMBER-FETA SALAD
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So healthy and tasty!
My wife and I love this salad!
Two caveats, however: a) there is too little dressing for my taste so I’d use double the amount of ingredients for a single portion; and b) if you’re cooking for one, the portioning of this recipe is fine–but if there are two of you or if you want to have leftovers, you definitely need to (again) double the amount of ingredients.
But we are very grateful for the recipe! It’s delicious!
Thanks for the feedback, Amir! This is one of my favorite salads!
I made this salad for lunch today, and it was DELICIOUS! It’s a perfect combination of flavors and textures – very satisfying and healthy. Will definitely make this again soon. Thanks for sharing, Tania!
Thank you so much for your feedback, Susanne! Your comment just made my day!
I’ll try it
It looks delicious
My belived husband recommend too.
I’ll do it for him ?
This was delicious! One of my new favorites for summer. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks you so much for sharing, Lauren! I am glad you liked it! 🙂
From the pictures it looks like corn is one of the ingredients but it is not listed. Optional ingredient?
Hi Phoebe! Thanks for noticing. I do use fresh corn in this recipe. Mistake fixed. 🙂 Happy cooking!
Made this tonight and it was amazing!!!
Great! Thanks, Rhonda!
Hi! What would be a good substitute for red wine vinegar?
Hi Rebecca! You can use some lemon juice instead. Enjoy!
Raspberry vinegar, apple vinegar ?
I really wanted to try this but didn’t have any quinoa. I used brown rice instead and it tasted great! Thanks for sharing!
Great idea, Amanda! Brown rice is also very healthy and I’ll try using it too!
This looks like a great quick and easy lunch for me to prepare and take to work! How long could I store it in the fridge for after it has been prepared?
I think it could be stored for up to 3 days, although it never made it for more than a day in my refrigerator. 🙂
Do you use red peppers from a jar or do you roast them yourself?
Hi Kelly! I usually roast the peppers myself, but I’ve had a great experience with the peppers from a jar. Hope you’ll enjoy the salad!
I found this to be a good base for a salad. When I added chopped cherry tomatoes and cucumbers to it the salad felt more complete to me. My kids loved it.
That’s great! I wish more kids ate quinoa! Keep it up, Jo! 🙂
Trying to do this for a meal prep for the week for lunches for my husband and I. Do you believe the ingredients will stay fresh for 3-4 days? Or should I wait till the day of to add in the peppers and olives? Also should I wait till the day of to add the dressing?
Hi Kassidee! The salad should stay fresh for 3 days, just add the dressing before serving. Thanks and I hope your husband enjoys it!
Just made this salad for my lunch and really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing. Will definitely be making it again.
Thanks! I am glad to hear you enjoyed the salad, Joanne!
I have found myself “addicted” to Pinterest as I assume most of us are. I am very happy to have found your site, as I wish to try all of your amazing recipes. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much, Jill! I am Pinterest addict myself. 🙂 Hope you’ll get to try some of my recipes.
Beautiful salad, Tania! Quick and easy dishes are my thing now, so I will be making this soon 🙂
I can see how some people do not like quinoa when they are served just plain quinoa on the side, and it’s such a shame that they write off quinoa and do not get to try amazing tasting salads like this one. I hope this salad can change people’s minds!
Thank you so much, Kate! I hope so too! 🙂
Quinoa is so good, hot or cold – it really does take on the flavors of whatever you are making, it’s like the perfect vehicle for that!
This looks so good. I love Mediterranean style food. All the briny olives, creamy and salty feta… delicious
This is absolutely gorgeous, I buy something like it ready made from my supermarket, but yours looks so much better, it’s going to be lunch today 🙂
Hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did, Sue!
Definitely my kind of salad — fresh, full of flavor and healthy! Yum!
This looks so beautiful and colorful, you know it has to be good! I agree, a good feta is key to any dish!
Thanks, Beth!