Quick Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-02 · Updated 2026-04-02

A refreshing mix of quinoa, cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta, dressed with olive oil and lemon for a light lunch. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 45 minutes pairs quinoa, medium, diced cucumber, diced tomatoes 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 280 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
• 1 medium, diced cucumber
• 1 cup, diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup, crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon
• 1 small, finely chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup, chopped parsley
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook 1 cup quinoa in a pot with 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until tender.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup diced cucumber, 1 cup diced tomatoes, 1 small chopped red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped parsley.
3. Step 3: Add 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese and mix gently.
4. Step 4: Whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil and 1/2 lemon juice. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Pour over the salad and toss to coat.
5. Step 5: Chill for 10 minutes before serving for a crisp, refreshing texture.