Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is a vibrant and nutritious dish that transports your taste buds to sunny shores with every bite. Loaded with colorful fresh vegetables, nutty quinoa, and a zesty lemon dressing, this salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a light meal. It’s not only delicious but also easy to prepare and customize, making it an ideal choice for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6 people 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the quinoa under cold water. In a pot, bring 1 ½ cups of water to a boil. Add the quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes until fluffy.
- While quinoa cooks, chop the cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, and parsley.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa with chopped veggies.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil and lemon juice before drizzling over the salad. Season with salt and pepper.
- Gently fold in feta cheese and olives if using.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Customize by adding proteins like chickpeas or grilled chicken for added nutrition. For extra zing, consider adding diced avocado or fresh herbs such as basil or mint.