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    Home » Side Dishes » Pastas & Grains

    Updated: Feb 1, 2021 · Published: Mar 31, 2016 by Lisa · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

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    Filled with protein and made with pantry staples, this Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is a tasty light lunch or perfect side dish to any meal!

    Mediterranean Quinoa Salad recipe in glass serving bowl with small bowl on side for eating.

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    I'm always trying to get more whole grains into our regular menu rotation and this Mediterranean Quinoa Salad has become a family favorite! I'm lucky that my family loves olives and will eat them in anything.

    But really, who wouldn't love a quinoa salad filled with red onion, red pepper, tomatoes, kalamata olives and feta cheese? The fact I can make it ahead of time is just the icing on the cake. 

    This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad has so many great flavors in one bite and is finished off with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and cilantro....Delish! Quinoa itself doesn't have much flavor; it's what you put with it that gives it the flavor.

    I've found that letting the quinoa cool to room temperature and then adding the red wine vinegar and olive oil before all of the other ingredients really lets the flavors seep into the quinoa.

    Mediterranean Quinoa Salad in a glass bowl on a dark background garnished with sliced grape tomatoes.

    A flavorful quinoa salad can't be beaten. Serve it for lunch, as a side with dinner or as a quick after-school snack. It keeps well in the fridge and can be eaten at room temperature or cold. All great options when trying to please a family. 

    Looking for more side dish and salad ideas? Follow us on Pinterest!

    Follow Garnish with Lemon's board Side Dishes and Salads on Pinterest.

    mediterranean quinoa salad in a glass serving bowl with wooden spoons for serving on a dark grey background.

    You can never have too many BBQ side dishes! Check out some of our other favorites!

    • Tomato Feta Pasta Salad- Garnish with Lemon®
    • Easy Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing- Spend with Pennies
    • Tomato Feta Pasta Salad-Garnish with Lemon®
    • Thai Quinoa Salad- Foodie Crush
    • Roasted Beet and Arugula Salad- Garnish with Lemon®
    Close up of Mediterranean Quinoa Salad in a glass serving bowl on a dark grey background with wooden spoons for serving. Garnished with fresh cilantro and sliced tomatoes.

    Recipe

    Greek quinoa Salad in bowl.

    Greek Quinoa Salad

    Garnish With Lemon
    A quinoa salad filled with olives, red onion, tomatoes, and feta cheese.
    4.84 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Side Dishes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 cups
    Calories 195 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups water
    • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
    • ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • 1 small red onion diced
    • 1 red pepper diced
    • 2 Roma tomatoes seeded and diced
    • ½ cup chopped kalamata olives
    • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
    • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
    • Juice of one lemon

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    Instructions
     

    • Bring quinoa and water to a boil over medium heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes or until water is absorbed in quinoa. Fluff with a fork and cool for 5 minutes.
    • Add the oil and vinegar and let quinoa come to room temperature.
    • Add onion, tomatoes, pepper, olives, cilantro, and salt and pepper. Stir gently. Add feta cheese and gently combine. Chill for 2 hours to let flavors combine. Squeeze lemon juice over salad right before serving to brighten flavors.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupCalories: 195kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 5gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 435mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g

    Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

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    About Lisa

    Hi, I’m Lisa! Looking for the party? It’s probably at my house. Nothing brings me more joy than sharing good food with friends and family. That and a seriously good cocktail.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marilyn Earhart says

      June 07, 2023 at 6:43 am

      5 stars
      Had this at a party and loved it. I want to try it with riced-cauliflower substituted for the quinoa.

      Reply
    2. Tanya says

      November 10, 2016 at 6:14 pm

      I've made this dozens of times over the years. I always come back to it. I love to make a bowl and use it for lunches over the next few days. Since I like to let it sit, I leave the tomato out. Just because I don't think it'll be as good a few days later and also my husband isn't a huge fresh tomato fan. Today I made it and realized that I had only about a TBSP of red wine vinegar. I subbed half white wine vinigar and balsamic vinegar (not sweet) and it was just as good.

      Reply
    3. Kelly says

      November 04, 2016 at 8:37 pm

      Wow ! This was amazing . I love the Greek flavor. Thanks for sharing !

      Reply
    4. Darlene O'Brien says

      April 12, 2016 at 8:30 am

      Going to try this Mediterranean
      Quinoa Salad. It sounds so yummy. I've been looking for a good recipe. Thanks

      Reply
    « Older Comments
    4.84 from 6 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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