Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Mediterranean quinoa salad is a delicious recipe boasting plenty of fresh herbs, vegetables, beans, and more in every delicious bite. Greek olives, feta cheese and red onion transport your taste buds to sunny Greece, while cannellini beans bring a taste of Italy to the dish, and the simple garlic and lemon juice dressing adds a subtle flavor of its own to complement the Mediterranean ones.

Cooked quinoa is a nice, hearty base for a tasty salad. It’s a versatile recipe and you can enjoy this Mediterranean quinoa salad as a side dish or as a main course.

Also try roasted beet salad, Italian tuna white bean salad, or green goddess salad. Coleslaw pasta salad and chicken caesar pasta salad are great too.

Why You’ll Love It

Full of flavor: The delightful thing about Mediterranean quinoa salad is the flavours are light and aromatic rather than bold and robust. The delicate taste of the fresh vegetables, herbs and beans, paired with the simple dressing makes this a salad you just have to try!
Simple to prepare: It couldn’t be easier to make Mediterranean quinoa salad. You just have to combine the ingredients for the salad recipe, combine the ingredients for the dressing, and toss together.
Customizable: The great thing about a healthy Mediterranean quinoa salad is you can omit whatever you want and add in whatever you like, to really make the dish your own. Change anything you want from the grain used to the vegetables, herbs, and even the dressing.

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Cooked quinoa: A hearty, tasty base for the salad.
Salad vegetables: I used cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, and red onion for plenty of crisp appeal and fresh flavors.
Cannellini beans: For a protein hit.
Herbs: Fresh basil and parsley add aromatic flavor to the salad.
Olives: Greek or kalamata olives add a pop of briny flavor.
Feta cheese: A Mediterranean favorite with creamy, tangy flavors.
Lemon juice: Use fresh lemon juice in the dressing for the best taste.

How to Make Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Combine the salad ingredients: Toss the quinoa with the beans, vegetables and kalamata olives in a large bowl.
Make the dressing: Whisk the extra virgin olive oil with the lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
The finishing touches: Toss the salad with the dressing, add the feta cheese to the quinoa salad, and toss again, then serve garnished with fresh herbs.

Substitutions and Variations

Cannellini beans: Garbanzo beans are good in place of, or in addition to, the cannellini beans.
Cherry tomatoes: Use roasted red peppers instead of fresh, roasted cherry tomatoes, or even sun dried tomatoes.
Optional add-ins: Include pine nuts or celery, or add a steak or some grilled chicken on top of the salad.
Add extra tang to the dressing: Add a splash of balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

Serving Suggestions

As a main dish: The quinoa and beans make this salad filling enough to have for lunch, either alone or with some crackers or a piece of fruit.
As a side dish: Pair it with pork chops or Italian beef or with other sides such as burrata with tomatoes and pesto or roasted rainbow carrots.

How to Store Quinoa Salad Leftovers

Store: If you want to meal prep, combine the salad ingredients and whisk the dressing ingredients and keep them separate. You can do this up to a day ahead. If you have leftovers of the finished, combined Mediterranean quinoa salad, they will be fine for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Freeze: It’s not worth freezing quinoa salad because the vegetables thaw out with a mushy texture instead of staying fresh and crisp. You could freeze quinoa without veggies in it, but that isn’t what we are making here, with this vegetable-rich cold quinoa salad.

Healthy Quinoa Salad Recipe FAQs

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe

This quinoa Mediterranean salad is just bursting with all the best Mediterranean flavours, offering plenty of nutrients and flavour in every mouthful. Quinoa salad recipes are fast and easy to prepare, ideal for a buffet at any type of get-together, and you can mix and match the ingredients to personalize it to your heart’s content.

Other Recipes to Try

• Crockpot Tex Mex Quinoa Taco Bowls will be the star of your dinner table!
• A colorful Italian Rice Salad is perfect for a picnic, potluck, summer BBQ.
• Tuna White Bean Salad is made with yummy, hearty ingredients.
• Serve up this Roasted Red Pepper Cream Cheese Dip if you have guests!
• A Sweet Potato Kale Salad looks so good with a vibrant mix of fresh veggies.