The Best-Ever Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
A refreshing salad with fluffy quinoa, tangy feta, sweet cherry tomatoes, and briny Kalamata olives, dressed with olive oil and lemon. This mediterranean-inspired salads (mediterranean, vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs quinoa, pint halved cherry tomatoes, pitted Kalamata olives 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 6, 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 pint halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives
- 4 oz crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 1 cup quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy. Fluff with a fork and let cool to room temperature.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, 4 oz crumbled feta, and 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp dried oregano. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
- Step 4: Gently fold in the cooled quinoa. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional lemon juice or olive oil if needed. Chill for 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best-Ever Mediterranean Quinoa Salad take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (25 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 The Best-Ever 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 The Best-Ever 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 The Best-Ever Mediterranean Quinoa Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 The Best-Ever 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
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better salads dishes though.
