Best of the Best Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-29 · Updated 2026-03-29

A vibrant, nutrient-packed quinoa salad bursting with Mediterranean flavors and fresh vegetables. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 55 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 320 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.

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 12 oz cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium cucumber
• 1 small red onion
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives
• 1/2 cup, crumbled feta cheese
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water. In a pot, combine quinoa with 2 cups water and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until tender.
2. Step 2: Dice 12 oz cherry tomatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Julienne 1 medium cucumber and 1 small red onion. Toss with 1/4 cup olive oil and 1 tbsp lemon juice.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, mix cooked quinoa with tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and 1/2 cup Kalamata olives. Fold in crumbled feta cheese and fresh parsley. Drizzle with remaining 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Toss gently to combine.