• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Dinner at the Zoo

  • All Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Appetizers
  • Dessert
  • One Pot Meals
  • Slow Cooker
  • Asian Food

Home » Comfort Food » Quinoa Salad with Veggies

Published: July 2, 2019 Last Modified: July 2, 2019 By Sara 19 Comments

Quinoa Salad with Veggies

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe | Healthy Quinoa Salad | Chopped Salad #quinoa #healthy #cleaneating #lunch #dinner #dinneratthezoo

This recipe for Mediterranean quinoa salad is full of fresh vegetables, feta cheese and chickpeas tossed in a lemon and herb dressing and topped with herbs. It’s a light and colorful addition to any meal!

When I’m looking to eat a little healthier, I turn to fresh salads such as farro salad, tomato cucumber salad, and this amazingly delicious quinoa salad.

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe | Healthy Quinoa Salad | Chopped Salad #quinoa #healthy #cleaneating #lunch #dinner #dinneratthezooMediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe | Healthy Quinoa Salad | Chopped Salad #quinoa #healthy #cleaneating #lunch #dinner #dinneratthezoo

Quinoa salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions and olives.

I love salad, but I don’t love when it’s a sea of lettuce with a few tiny vegetable pieces sprinkled in. I’m all about the salad toppings, the more the better in my opinion. This Mediterranean quinoa salad actually doesn’t contain any lettuce at all – just plenty of fresh vegetables mixed with quinoa and tossed in a flavorful dressing!

How do you make quinoa salad?

This recipe starts with cooked quinoa, with is mixed with a variety of fresh vegetables, olives, chickpeas, feta cheese and herbs. A homemade dressing is drizzled over the top, then you can either eat your salad immediately or put it in the fridge to chill for later.

Cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, red onions, olives, feta and chickpeas over cooked quinoa.

How do you cook quinoa?

To cook your quinoa, you’ll need first rinse your quinoa well. If you don’t rinse the quinoa, it may have a bitter aftertaste. You’ll want to use 2 cups of water for every cup of quinoa. Place the water and quinoa in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, then cover the pot and let the quinoa simmer for 13-15 minutes or until tender. Turn off the heat and let the quinoa stand for 5 minutes. Fluff it with a fork, then you’re ready to use it.

Dressing being poured over a bowl of vegetables and quinoa.

Tips for quinoa salad

  • I use two colors of bell pepper because I like the color variety. You can use just one color if you prefer, the salad will taste the same!
  • I use English cucumbers which have tender, edible peels and seeds. You can also use small Persian cucumbers with a similar result.
  • This salad can be made up to 1 day before you plan to serve it.
  • You can use any type of fresh herbs that you like in this salad, I often use parsley, chives, dill or basil.

A bowl of Mediterranean quinoa with colorful vegetables and feta cheese.

Is quinoa healthy?

Quinoa is a very healthy food, and is high in protein, gluten free, and high in fiber. Quinoa also contains plenty of nutrients including magnesium, Vitamin B, iron, calcium and a variety of antioxidants.

A serving spoon in a bowl of quinoa salad with feta and vegetables.

This Mediterranean quinoa salad is the perfect side dish for a barbecue or a potluck or simply eat it as a meal in itself like I do. However you serve it up, this salad will likely become one of your go-to recipes as it has for me.

More great salad recipes

  • Watermelon Salad
  • Tuscan Kale Salad
  • Black Bean and Corn Salad
  • Ramen Noodle Salad
  • Mexican Coleslaw
Quinoa salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions and olives.
Print Pin
5 from 11 votes

Quinoa Salad

This recipe for Mediterranean quinoa salad is full of fresh vegetables, feta cheese and olives, tossed in a lemon and herb dressing and topped with herbs. It's a light and colorful addition to any meal!
Course Salad
Cuisine Mediterranean
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 385kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1 cup thinly sliced cucumbers
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup yellow bell pepper diced
  • 1/4 cup orange bell pepper diced
  • 1/4 cup minced red onion
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley plus more for garnish
  • 1 cup chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup sliced kalamata olives
  • For the dressing:
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • For the salad: Place the quinoa, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, feta cheese, chickpeas, parsley and olives in a large bowl.
  • For the dressing: Combine all of the ingredients in a jar and shake vigorously to combine. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
  • Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle with parsley, then serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 372mg | Potassium: 471mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1070IU | Vitamin C: 38.2mg | Calcium: 136mg | Iron: 3.2mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @DinnerAtTheZoo or tag #dinneratthezoo!

This post was originally published on April 7, 2016 and was updated on July 2, 2019 with new content.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Filed Under: Comfort Food, Eat Your Veggies, Gluten Free, Light & Healthy, Salads, Side Dishes

FREE TOOLKIT: 5 Secrets to Meal Planning

Learn my 5 Meal Planning Secrets & get my Meal Planning Toolkit...FREE!

    ​
    ​

    Still hungry? Follow Dinner at the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more great recipe ideas!

    « Seafood Pasta Recipe
    Broiled Salmon Fillets »

    Comments

    1. Luisa McDonald says

      May 6, 2022 at 1:31 pm

      5 stars
      This salad was so tasty. Such a great meal for a warm day too.

      Reply
    2. Karen says

      March 26, 2022 at 2:17 pm

      5 stars
      Love it!

      Reply
    3. Tiara says

      March 3, 2021 at 11:55 am

      I made the quinoa salad, which was soooo good. My husband even enjoyed this recipe. Also for the left overs I sprinkled the quinoa over some kale leaves and added dried cranberries, which was equally great!

      Reply
    4. Mackenzie says

      March 1, 2021 at 5:31 pm

      5 stars
      I made this and served it as a main course with garlic bread. It was really tasty and the leftovers the next day were just as good!

      Reply
    5. Shirl says

      June 1, 2020 at 9:50 am

      When ever I cook quinoa, it always comes out mushy. What can I do?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        June 1, 2020 at 4:00 pm

        It sounds like you’re using too much water or cooking it too long! How much water do you use per cup of quinoa?

        Reply
    6. Xuan Nguyen says

      March 20, 2020 at 7:29 pm

      5 stars
      This was delicious! Thank you!

      Reply
    7. Veena Azmanov says

      July 3, 2019 at 7:39 pm

      5 stars
      This is a platter full of health and goodness. Quinoa sounds so healthy and amazing for a salad too.

      Reply
    8. Krissy Allori says

      July 3, 2019 at 7:36 pm

      5 stars
      This looks like the perfect Summer salad! Can’t wait to try it.

      Reply
    9. Patty at Spoonabilities says

      July 3, 2019 at 7:30 pm

      5 stars
      What an amazing and absolutely gorgeous meal!

      Reply
    10. Caitlyn Erhardt says

      July 3, 2019 at 7:10 pm

      This looks so bright and healthy! Wonderful recipe!

      Reply
    11. Emily says

      July 3, 2019 at 6:27 pm

      5 stars
      I love how colorful and nutritious this quinoa salad is!

      Reply
    12. Jeff says

      December 22, 2018 at 8:31 am

      5 stars
      Any issues you find with making this ahead of time?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 22, 2018 at 9:27 am

        You can absolutely make it ahead of time!

        Reply
    13. Whitney @ Whitney's Real Recipes says

      October 5, 2016 at 10:46 am

      Love salads and I love having meal salads. This sounds like a great one for that. Also really enjoy the addition of quinoa – added protein and great texture.

      Reply
    14. Greg says

      April 11, 2016 at 11:20 am

      5 stars
      Amazing salad! What a flavor combination!

      Reply
    15. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says

      April 8, 2016 at 5:52 pm

      Great salad. So many great ingredients and pretty, too!

      Reply
    16. sue|theviewfromgreatisland says

      April 7, 2016 at 7:28 pm

      I love hearty salads like this, and you are so right about it keeping well, I love to make a big batch on the weekend and eat it for lunch all week long.

      Reply
    17. Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says

      April 7, 2016 at 6:52 pm

      It sounds like a wonderful side or hearty salad. I love anything with Mediterranean flavors. The colors are wonderful!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    With 3 young kids, dinner can feel like feeding time at the zoo! I'm a mom on a mission to create easy, healthy and family friendly recipes ...Read More

    Winter Soups

    A bowl of beef chili topped with cheese, sour cream and green onions.

    Beef Chili Recipe

    A bowl of matzo ball soup with chicken, garnished with parsley.

    Matzo Ball Soup

    A bowl of white bean soup with Italian sausage, tomatoes and spinach.

    Tuscan White Bean Soup

    A pot of New England clam chowder topped with oyster crackers, bacon and parsley.

    New England Clam Chowder

    A bowl of slow cooker turkey chili topped with sour cream and cheese.

    Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

    A bowl of ham and corn chowder garnished with bacon.

    Ham and Corn Chowder

    More Posts from this Category

    Featured Recipes

    A glass of frozen fruit smoothie in crushed ice, garnished with berries and mint.

    Frozen Fruit Smoothie

    These oven baked beef tacos are filled with beans, meat and melted cheese, then topped off with shredded lettuce and fresh salsa. The best way to make tacos for a crowd!

    Baked Beef Tacos

    Baked rosemary chicken in a lemon sauce, garnished with fresh herbs.

    Rosemary Chicken

    Slow cooker pot roast served with carrots, potatoes and green beans.

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast

    FREE TOOLKIT: 5 Secrets to Meal Planning

    Learn my 5 Meal Planning Secrets & get my Meal Planning Toolkit...FREE!

      ​
      ​

      Categories

      Sites I am featured In
      PRIVACY POLICY ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT © Sara Welch and Dinner at the Zoo® LLC, 2015-2022.
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • RSS
      • Twitter
      • About Me
      • Contact Me
      • All Recipes
      • Dinner
      • Appetizers
      • Dessert
      • One Pot Meals
      • Slow Cooker
      • Asian Food