Classic Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant, protein-packed salad with tangy feta, crisp cucumbers, and zesty olive oil dressing. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegan-friendly) ready in about 35 minutes pairs quinoa, cherry tomatoes, medium cucumber into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 200 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.8 (12 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 200 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer, then cook in 2 cups boiling water for 15 minutes until tender. Drain any excess liquid.
  2. Step 2: Dice 12 oz cherry tomatoes into 1/2-inch cubes, julienne 1 medium cucumber, and chop Kalamata olives.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, diced tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and 1/4 cup parsley. Toss gently to mix.
  4. Step 4: Whisk 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 clove minced garlic until emulsified. Pour over the salad and stir to coat.
  5. Step 5: Top with 1 cup crumbled feta cheese and serve chilled.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Classic Mediterranean Quinoa Salad take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Classic Mediterranean Quinoa Salad?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep quinoa from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Classic Mediterranean Quinoa Salad?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Classic Mediterranean Quinoa Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Classic Mediterranean Quinoa Salad vegan-friendly?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan-friendly based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes