This Greek Quinoa Salad is an easy-to-make, protein-packed, crowd-pleasing recipe filled with Mediterranean flavors.
![Greek Quinoa Salad Bowl of Greek Quinoa Salad with parsley with tomatoes in the background.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Simple-Quinoa-Salad-with-Greek-Dressing.jpg)
Quinoa is a staple at my house, as it cooks up fast, is loaded with protein and fiber, and can be served in endless ways.
While I love to use quinoa in place of rice or to make Sweet Potato Quinoa Chili and Quinoa Burgers, my favorite way to enjoy quinoa happens to be in a salad, like Quinoa Spinach Salad, Mexican Quinoa Salad, and this Greek Quinoa Salad.
From the salty feta to the sweet roasted peppers to the briny olives to the tangy dressing, the quinoa is dressed to perfection to create an insanely flavorful quinoa salad.
Reasons to Love Greek Quinoa Salad
- Nutritious. This quinoa salad is high in plant-based protein, full of fiber, low in fat, and features tons of nutrients.
- Delicious! This light and refreshing quinoa salad starts with perfectly cooked Instant Pot Quinoa, then is dressed to perfection with briny olives, sweet tomatoes, salty feta, and a Homemade Greek Dressing.
- Perfect for Potlucks. This flavorful Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is always a crowd-pleasing dish. It also happens to travel well and can be made several days in advance, making it perfect for entertaining.
- Great for Meal-Prep. I often make a big batch of this Greek Quinoa Salad on a Sunday and enjoy lunch for the week. Not only is it nutritious and keeps me full for hours, but it also packs well and can be enjoyed both cold or at room temperature.
- Allergy-Friendly. This salad is gluten-free, egg-free, nut-free, and soy-free, and can easily be made dairy-free by leaving out the feta.
Notes on Ingredients
![Healthy Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Ingredients for greek quinoa salad on counter labeled.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Greek-Style-Quinoa-Salad.jpg)
- Quinoa: This recipe can be made with white quinoa, red quinoa, or multi-colored quinoa. While this recipe walks you through how to prepare dry quinoa, you can also throw this salad together quickly using leftover chilled quinoa.
- Greek Dressing: While you can use a store-bought Greek dressing, this recipe for homemade Greek dressing comes together in minutes and is much more flavorful. The dressing is made with red wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic, dried herbs, and capers. It is tangy, vibrant, and fresh.
- Feta: The addition of feta cheese is optional. While crumbled feta adds a nice salty, creamy flavor, feel free to omit it to keep this Mediterranean Quinoa Salad dairy-free and vegan-friendly.
- Olives: I strongly recommend using Kalamata olives, rather than Spanish olives or black olives, as they impart the most authentic Greek flavor to the salad.
- Cucumber & Tomatoes: Cucumbers and tomatoes add a nice fresh touch to the quinoa salad. I recommend using a seedless or English cucumber and grape or cherry tomatoes for the best texture and flavor. Keep in mind that if using a regular cucumber or vine-ripened tomatoes, you will want to remove the seeds from them to keep the salad from becoming watered-down.
- Parsley: Use flat-leaf or curly parsley to impart fresh flavor to the salad.
- Optional Additions: Feel free to use your imagination and pick and choose any vegetables and herbs you like for this Quinoa Salad. I love to also add roasted red peppers and artichoke hearts for an additional Mediterranean flavor. Diced red onions, pickled red onions, or Giardiniera.
How to Make Greek Quinoa Salad
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Prepare Quinoa
To cook the quinoa, you can opt to simmer it on the stovetop or use my method for Instant Pot Quinoa. I prefer using the instant pot method, as it is a bit faster and hands-off, but I have included instructions in the recipe card for both methods.
Blend Greek Dressing
I recommend using a food processor or mini blender to blend the dressing, which will ensure the capers are fully broken down. That ensures, the capers will not overwhelm the dressing, instead they just add a nice briny flavor.
![Quinoa Salad with Greek Dressing Homemade Greek Dressing blended in a mini food processor.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Quinoa-Greek-Dressing.jpg)
Dress Warm Quinoa
Before the quinoa is cooled fully, I like to dress it with a portion of the Greek dressing. The slightly warm quinoa will absorb the dressing immediately, flavoring the quinoa from the inside out.
Assemble Greek Quinoa Salad
Once the quinoa reaches room temperature, add in the remaining dressing, along with the olives, tomatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, artichoke hearts, and roasted red peppers.
Chill Before Serving
It is best to cover the quinoa salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. And then right before serving, give the quinoa salad a good stir to distribute the ingredients and sprinkle with feta if using.
![Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe Quinoa in blue bowl dressed with greek dressing, olives, feta, and tomatoes.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Easy-Greek-Salad.jpg)
Storage
This Greek Quinoa Salad can be assembled and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I love dividing the salad into individual serving dishes for quick lunches perfect for on-the-go or workdays.
Recipe Modifications
- Vegan-Friendly: Leave the feta cheese off this Greek Quinoa Salad, and it becomes dairy-free and vegan-friendly.
- Add More Protein: To really amp up the protein in this Quinoa Salad, add diced-up Greek Chicken or canned, rinsed chickpeas to the salad.
- Change up the Dressing: Instead of dressing this quinoa salad with homemade Greek dressing, keep it simple and dress the salad with fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and a good pinch of salt.
More Hearty & Flavorful Salad Recipes
- Mexican Quinoa Salad
- Quinoa Spinach Salad
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Asian Noodle Salad
- Mediterranean Couscous Salad
If you enjoyed this simple Greek Quinoa Salad, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
![Greek Quinoa Salad served in blue serving dish with tomatoes in background.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Homemade-Greek-Quinoa-Salad-Recipe-360x360.jpg)
Greek Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
For Quinoa
- 1 cup dried quinoa
- water for cooking quinoa see instructions
For the Quinoa Salad
- 1 large roasted red pepper diced
- ¼ cup chopped kalamata olives
- 1 large English cucumber diced
- ½ cup chopped tomatoes
- ½ cup artichoke hearts chopped
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup feta cheese optional
For the Greek Dressing
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 minced garlic glove
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon capers
Instructions
Stovetop Quinoa Instructions
- Combine the quinoa and salt with 2 cups of water in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil. Place a lid on the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let it sit, covered for 10 more minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Instant Pot Quinoa
- Combine the quinoa and salt with 1 cup of water in the inner pot of the instant pot. Cook on high pressure for 1 minute. Allow the pressure to release naturally on its own for at least 10 minutes. Open the pressure cooker and fluff with a fork.
Quinoa Salad
- While the quinoa is cooling, prepare the dressing by placing the red wine vinegar, olive oil, oregano, garlic, capers, salt, and pepper into a blender or food processor and blending until the capers are broken down and well combined.
- Once the quinoa is cooled slightly (about 10 minutes), pour half the dressing over the cooked quinoa and allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Once the quinoa has reached room temperature, pour the remaining salad dressing over the quinoa. Add in the cucumbers, feta, olives, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, roasted peppers, and parsley. Toss together until everything is well distributed.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to come together.
Sharina
I love bringing this quinoa salad to the office for my lunch! It is always incredibly delicious and so easy to make. One of my favorites!
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing this, Sharina! Nothing wrong with a gold old PB&J, but this is so much better 🙂
Kristyn
Love the Greek flavor!! The dressing brings all the flavors together and the quinoa makes it more filling.
Kristen Chidsey
I agree, Kristyn! This salad is so flavorful and filling. Thanks for taking the time to share your review 🙂
Kara
My family doesn't like capers, so I didn't use those, but it was still so good! I'll be making it often this summer I'm sure!
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing this Greek Quinoa Salad will on your menu often 🙂
Shannon
The Quinoa came out perfect. This recipe tasted so good.
Kristen Chidsey
Wonderful! So happy to hear you enjoyed, Shannon.
Krystle
So fresh and flavorful. The homemade dressing is just divine.
Kristen Chidsey
Thank you Krystle! So happy you enjoyed.
Kristyn
Healthy & so tasty!! Quinoa has become one of my favorites & I love it with the Greek flavors!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so happy to hear you enjoyed Kristyn.
Allyson Zea
I made this alongside some hamburgers and it was delicious!
Kristen Chidsey
Sounds like a great meal! Thanks for sharing Allyson.
Chrysa
So delicious! I'm a big fan of adding the feta for a big flavor boost.
Kristen Chidsey
The feta adds so much for sure! I am so glad you enjoyed Chrysa!
Dennis
Nutrition facts does not list what s serving is. Could you tell me what that is?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Dennis, one seeing is about 2/3 cup of prepared salad.
Shannon Leparski
This recipe is right up my alley! Anything with quinoa and veggies I love. This recipes sounds like it has great flavor. Can't wait to give it a try!
Shannon
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Shannon. I love quinoa as well!! I hope you enjoy this recipe!!!
Kristen