This delicious and healthy Quinoa Salad is fresh, crisp, and packed with vibrant flavors. It is a protein-rich, gluten-free, and wholesome dish made with fluffy quinoa, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and a zesty homemade dressing.
It gets done in 20 minutes and requires minimal effort. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free, which makes it a great option for a wholesome, nutrient-packed meal.
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Table of contents
Whether you want a simple and hearty salad recipe or love quinoa recipes, this easy salad recipe has got you covered.
Ideal for meal prep, summer picnics, or a light lunch, this vibrant and light salad recipe is easy to make and full of nutrients.
About Quinoa Salad
This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is a simple yet flavorful side dish or a light meal that brings together fresh vegetables, cooked fluffy quinoa, and a tangy dressing.
The combination of fluffy quinoa, fresh and crisp veggies like onions, cucumbers, bell peppers, juicy tomatoes, and a garlicky olive oil dressing makes this salad incredibly flavorful and super satisfying.
This is one of the best salad recipes I have made in recent times. If you know me, then you know how much I love my salads, and if I say this one stands out as my absolute favorite, mark my words. Inspired by tabbouleh, the classic Lebanese salad, this is a nutritious salad with a quinoa twist.
I like to add feta cheese for extra protein and a salty flavor, but you can opt to skip it or swap it with any other salad cheese of your choice.
You can enjoy it on its own or serve it as a side with some bread and soup of your choice. It stays fresh for days, so it is perfect for meal prep lunches or dinners.
If you love salad recipes, this quinoa salad recipe is a must-try.
The combination of juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, bell peppers, and olives gives the salad a delightful texture, while the balsamic dressing adds the perfect balance of tang and sweetness.
Plus, it is easily customizable, so you can add chickpeas to make a quinoa chickpea salad or kale to make a kale quinoa salad.
Let’s learn how to make this nutritious salad recipe!
Why You’ll Love the Recipe
This Quinoa Salad
✔ is quick & easy to make
✔ is loaded with protein, fiber, & vitamins
✔ is wonderful for meal prep
✔ is gluten-free & vegan
✔ can also be made nut-free
✔ is quite versatile
✔ can be enjoyed as a main or side salad
✔ makes a great picnic meal
Ingredients
To Cook Quinoa
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Quinoa: Cooked quinoa is used for a protein-rich, gluten-free base that adds a nutty flavor and fluffy texture to this salad.
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Water: It is used for cooking the quinoa to the perfect light and tender consistency. You can also use vegetable broth here to make it more nourishing.
Salad Ingredients
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Cucumber: Chopped cucumber is used for a refreshing and hydrating touch. It gives a crisp crunch to balance the other ingredients.
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Bell peppers: To add vibrant color and natural sweetness, I used a combination of yellow and red bell peppers.
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Red onion: It adds a sharp crunch, a beautiful color, and pungency to this quinoa salad while enhancing the salad’s flavor.
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Tomatoes: Juicy, slightly tangy Roma tomatoes add freshness and a burst of sweetness. You can also use cherry tomatoes here.
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Parsley: Finely chopped fresh parsley infuses the salad with an herbaceous aroma while adding a beautiful contrast.
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Olives: They are added for a salty, briny flavor that compliments the other Mediterranean ingredients. I used black olives, but Kalamata olives can also be used in this salad recipe.
Dressing
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Olive oil: For a heart-healthy fat and richness, I have used extra virgin olive oil. It not only adds richness but also smoothness to the dressing.
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Balsamic or red wine vinegar: Added for mild acidity that balances the dressing’s flavors beautifully.
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Garlic: Minced garlic cloves add a punch of bold, aromatic flavors to this dressing.
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Seasoning: I used sea salt to enhance the natural flavors, ground black pepper to add a subtle heat, and dried oregano for an herby flavor in the dressing.
Variations
Kale Quinoa Salad
To make this version, add 1 cup of chopped and massaged kale to this salad. It not only adds a lovely green hue but also a nutrient boost.
Chickpea Quinoa Salad
If you love chickpea salads then you can add chickpeas to it. To make it high in protein, add 1 cup of canned or cooked chickpeas to this salad.
Quinoa Garbanzo Bean Salad
Here, you can add a handful of garbanzo beans.
Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
For this variation, increase the parsley and add some freshly chopped mint for a more herby touch.
Quinoa Avocado Salad
Add 1 or 2 ripe and chopped avocados to this salad along with the other ingredients.
Serving Suggestions
This salad tastes great both at room temperature or chilled when served as a light meal or a side. To serve it as a side, you can pair it with grilled cheese, beetroot kebab, or falafel for a Mediterranean feast.
Stuffing
You can also use this salad as a filling for your wraps or pita bread for a quick meal.
Storage Suggestions
This salad stays fresh when stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Meal Prep: If you are making this for meal prep, then make sure to store the dressing separately. Toss the salad with the dressing only when you are ready to serve.
Tips and Tricks to Make the Best Quinoa Salad
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Leftover quinoa: If you are running out of time, you can use leftover quinoa for an even quicker salad.
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Broth: Instead of water, you can cook the quinoa in vegetable or chicken broth for a more nutritious salad.
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Dressing: Let the dressing sit for 10 minutes before serving. This enhances the flavors of the dressing.
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Seeds & Nuts: For extra crunch, you can also add toasted pistachios or sunflower seeds, or chia seeds.
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Spicy Salad: To make it spicier, you can add some red pepper flakes.
Quinoa Salad (Step-by-step photo instructions)
Cook the Quinoa
- Rinse the quinoa under running water until the water runs clear. For an even fluffier texture, soak it for 30 minutes before cooking. Transfer it to a saucepan, add 2 cups of water.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 10–15 minutes until fluffy and tender. Remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly.
Prep the Vegetables
- Chop the cucumber, bell peppers, parsley, and red onion. Quarter the Roma or cherry tomatoes and set them aside.
Make the Salad Dressing
- In a jar, combine the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Shake well until fully mixed.
Assemble the Quinoa Salad
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked quinoa, followed by the sliced olives, quartered tomatoes, chopped cucumber, bell peppers, parsley, and red onion. Drizzle with the prepared dressing and toss well to combine. If using feta cheese, crumble it on top. Serve immediately and enjoy this fresh and flavorful quinoa salad as a light meal or a side dish!
Recipe Card
Quinoa Salad [Recipe]
★★★★★
(Rating: 5 from 7 reviews)
| Prep time 🕐 | Cook time 🕐 | Total time 🕐 |
|---|---|---|
| 25 mins | ||
| Category ☶ | Cuisine ♨ | Serves ☺ |
| Salads | International | 4 |
| Nutrition Info ⊛ | Serving size ⊚ | |
| 268 calories | 1 |
INGREDIENTS
For Quinoa Salad
To Cook the Quinoa
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
For the Salad
- 2 cups Roma or cherry tomatoes, quartered
- ½ cucumber, chopped
- ½ cup red bell pepper, chopped
- ½ cup yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup red onion, chopped
- A handful of parsley, chopped
- Black or Kalamata olives, sliced
- Crumbled vegan feta cheese (optional, for topping)
For the Salad Dressing
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1.5 tablespoons maple syrup (or to taste)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt, to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
- Sliced almonds for topping (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Cook the Quinoa
- Rinse the quinoa under running water until the water runs clear. For an even fluffier texture, soak it for 30 minutes before cooking. Transfer it to a saucepan, add 2 cups of water.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 10–15 minutes until fluffy and tender. Remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly.
Prep the Vegetables
- Chop the cucumber, bell peppers, parsley, and red onion. Quarter the Roma or cherry tomatoes and set them aside.
Make the Salad Dressing
- In a jar, combine the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Shake well until fully mixed.
Assemble the Quinoa Salad
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked quinoa, followed by the sliced olives, quartered tomatoes, chopped cucumber, bell peppers, parsley, and red onion. Drizzle with the prepared dressing and toss well to combine. If using feta cheese, crumble it on top. Serve immediately and enjoy this fresh and flavorful quinoa salad as a light meal or a side dish!
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NOTES:
- Feel free to adjust the vinegar and maple syrup in the salad dressing to your taste.
- I have added pink himalayan salt, but you can use any other salt of your choice.
- To make it greener, you can also add lettuce, kale or any other greens of your choice.
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Author: Anupama
Recipe Source Link: https://www.mygingergarlickitchen.com/quinoa-salad/
