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    Vegan Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

    By Elaine Gordon · Published: Aug 18, 2020 · Modified: Jul 18, 2022

    Jump to Recipe
    VGGFNFSFEV

    This vibrant Vegan Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is full of flavor and incredibly satisfying.  It is bursting with fresh vegetables and makes the perfect plant-based meal or side dish for picnics or outdoor gatherings.  It's got fresh parsley, Kalamata olives, vegan feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumber, green onions and red onion mixed with fluffy white quinoa.  The simple lemon garlic dressing is light and pairs perfectly with this summery salad.

    Vegan Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
    Lemon Garlic Dressing Poured over Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

    Vegan Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe

    I find the textures and flavors of this quinoa salad to be completely addictive.  The dressing is tangy, garlicky and slightly sweet.  It pairs beautifully with this Greek-inspired dish.  The fluffy quinoa soaks up the bright dressing and the veggies provide additional flavor and all the texture.  The briny meaty Kalamata olives paired with the juicy sweet cherry tomatoes, herby fresh parsley and creamy salty vegan feta cheese provides classic Mediterranean flavors.  The bold red onion and crispy bell pepper gives it a satisfying crunch that keeps you coming back for more after each spoonful.

    Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Ingredients
    Vegan Mediterranean Salad Ingredients

    Health Benefits of Quinoa

    Quinoa is one of my favorite pantry staples.  It is light and absorbs flavor wonderfully.  It has a light fluffy texture that is perfect for summertime salads like this one.  It is so easy to prepare and offers such amazing health benefits.  It is loaded with fiber (one serving has over 5 grams) and is considered a complete protein with all eight essential amino acids.  This makes it a great source of plant-based protein for vegans.  In fact, it has more protein than any other grain.  Quinoa is a good source of folate, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and many phytochemicals.  It also offers important minerals such as calcium, potassium, copper and zinc.

    Homemade Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe
    Homemade Quinoa Salad Recipe

    This recipe is vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free and nut-free.  It is great as a side at a cookout, as a make ahead lunch or even as a light summer dinner.

    Greek Quinoa Salad
    Greek Salad

    Looking for more quinoa recipes?

    These are all vegan and gluten-free recipes with quinoa:

    Mango-Avocado Quinoa Salad with Toasted Pepitas

    Easy Vegan Mexican Quinoa Salad

    Crispy Quinoa Falafel Bowls

    Roasted Veggies & Crispy Chickpeas over Quinoa with Garlic Maple Tahini Drizzle

    Roasted Beet Noodles Over Quinoa with Parsley Pesto

    Quick & Easy One-Pot Curried Quinoa & Chickpeas

    Crispy Quinoa and Avocado Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette

    One-Pot Sweet & Spiced Quinoa Lentil Salad

    Berry-Cherry Quinoa Salad with Candied Walnuts and Balsamic-Shallot Vinaigrette

    Vegan Mediterranean Salad

    If you give this Mediterranean quinoa salad a try, please snap a pic and tag #eatingbyelaine and @eatingbyelaine on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook so I can see you enjoying your creations.

    Easy Quinoa Salad Recipe
    Print
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    Vegan Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

    Vegan Mediterranean Quinoa Salad


    5 from 2 reviews

    • Author: Elaine Gordon
    • Total Time: 15 mins
    • Yield: 6 1x
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This bright and vibrant Vegan Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is full of flavor and incredibly satisfying.  It is bursting with fresh vegetables and makes the perfect plant-based meal or side dish for picnics or outdoor gatherings.  It's got fresh parsley, Kalamata olives, vegan feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumber, green onions and red onion mixed with fluffy white quinoa.  The simple lemon garlic dressing is light and pairs perfectly with this summery salad.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 4 cups cooked quinoa [1 cup dry quinoa] (use my stovetop or Instant Pot method)*
    • 1 cup diced red onions (from about ½ large red onion)
    • 1 ¼ cup diced English cucumber
    • 1 cup diced grape or cherry tomatoes
    • ½ cup halved Kalamata olives, pitted
    • ½ cup vegan feta cheese, diced (Violife is my favorite brand)
    • 2 green onions, diced
    • 1 bell pepper (orange, yellow or red), diced
    • ½ cup packed chopped fresh parsley

    Lemon Garlic Dressing

    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 lemon, juiced
    • 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
    • 1 large garlic clove, minced or pressed through a garlic press
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper

    Instructions

    1. In a medium sized mixing bowl combine the cooked quinoa (chilled or room temperature not hot), red onions, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, feta, green onions and parsley. Set aside.
    2. In a small glass bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until well combined.  Pour the dressing on top of the quinoa salad and gently toss to combine. Serve immediately.
    3. Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Equipment

    glass bowl

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    storage container

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    Notes

    *cooked quinoa measures 3 cups when tightly packed into the measuring cup and 4 cups when fluffed with a fork.  This recipe uses 1 cup of uncooked quinoa which for me yields 4 cups of fluffy unpacked cooked quinoa.

    • Prep Time: 15 mins
    • Category: Lunch or Side
    • Cuisine: Mediterranean

    Keywords: Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @eatingbyelaine on Instagram and hashtag it #eatingbyelaine

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alejandro Flores says

      April 27, 2021 at 11:02 pm

      Love this recipe its a big hit with the family and friends. Made this twice in one week thats how good it was.






      Reply
      • Elaine Gordon says

        April 28, 2021 at 11:34 am

        Thank you so much for letting me know! I'm so happy you enjoyed this one with your fam and friends! We make this one on a regular basis this time of year too! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Katie jamison says

      August 30, 2021 at 5:16 pm

      Delicious!! Great flavors and so colorful






      Reply
      • Elaine Gordon says

        August 30, 2021 at 6:27 pm

        Thank you so much, Katie! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed this one! I agree it is very colorful! 🙂 Best, Elaine

        Reply

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