True Mediterranean Quinoa Power Bowl

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-07 · Updated 2026-04-07

A vibrant grain bowl featuring true-to-tradition Mediterranean ingredients—sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and lemon-herb dressing. This Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs quinoa, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup, pitted Kalamata olives
• 1/2, diced cucumber
• 1/4 cup, thinly sliced red onion
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup rinsed quinoa with 2 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
2. Step 2: While quinoa cooks, whisk together 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, and 1/4 tsp salt to make the dressing.
3. Step 3: Once quinoa is done, fluff with a fork and let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
4. Step 4: Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, 1/2 diced cucumber, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion to the bowl with the cooled quinoa.
5. Step 5: Drizzle with 2 tbsp lemon-herb dressing and toss gently until evenly coated. The quinoa should be moist but not soggy, with bright, tangy flavors from the lemon and savory notes from the olives.
6. Step 6: Top with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley just before serving. The dish should be vibrant in color with a balanced blend of sweet, salty, and fresh elements.