Most Amazing Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
A vibrant, nutrient-packed salad with quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, and a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing. Light, refreshing, and perfect for summer. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs cooked quinoa, halved cherry tomatoes, diced 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 380 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, cooked quinoa
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1, diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup, crumbled feta cheese
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup cooked quinoa, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 diced cucumber, and 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion. Gently toss to mix.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until well combined.
- Step 3: Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and stir until evenly coated. Add 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese and gently fold in.
- Step 4: Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve as a side or light main course.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Most Amazing Mediterranean Quinoa Salad take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Most Amazing 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 cooked quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Most Amazing 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 Most Amazing 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 Most Amazing Mediterranean Quinoa Salad vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
