Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-26 · Updated 2026-07-26

A refreshing quinoa salad bursting with fresh vegetables and a zesty lemon vinaigrette, perfect for a light, healthy meal. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian, gluten free), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, 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, rinsed quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 medium, diced cucumber
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
• 1/3 cup, pitted and sliced kalamata olives
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 minced garlic clove
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 diced medium cucumber, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 1/3 cup sliced kalamata olives, 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
4. Step 4: Add the cooked quinoa to the vegetable mixture and pour the lemon vinaigrette over it. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Chill for 20 minutes before serving for flavors to meld.