Description
This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is a fresh and flavorful dish packed with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, Kalamata olives, chickpeas, and feta cheese. Tossed in a tangy lemon vinaigrette, it’s perfect as a light meal or a side dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Lemon Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Salad:
- 3 cups cooked quinoa (from 1 cup uncooked quinoa)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 Persian cucumbers, peeled and cubed
- 3/4 cup Kalamata olives, roughly chopped
- 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained
- 1/2 red onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
- 1 cup Italian parsley or 2 cups fresh arugula, washed and rinsed
Instructions
- Prepare the Vinaigrette:
- In a small mason jar, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds until emulsified.
- Dress the Quinoa:
- In a large mixing bowl, place the cooked quinoa.
- Drizzle with half of the vinaigrette and stir to combine.
- Add Vegetables and Chickpeas:
- Add cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, chickpeas, and red onion to the quinoa.
- Toss together with the remaining vinaigrette.
- Finish with Feta and Greens:
- Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese and Italian parsley or arugula.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve:
- Enjoy warm, cold, or at room temperature.
Notes
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Vegan Option: Omit the feta cheese for a vegan-friendly version.
- Variations:
- Olives: Substitute black olives or oil-cured black olives for a deeper flavor.
- Herbs: Try fresh mint or basil instead of parsley.
- Leafy Greens: Swap arugula with baby spinach or kale (massage kale with dressing to soften).
- Roasted Red Peppers: Add chopped roasted red peppers for extra sweetness.
- Goat Cheese: Replace feta with crumbled goat cheese for a creamy twist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 10mg