This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is light, refreshing, and full of Mediterranean flavor, without any fuss. With fluffy quinoa, fresh veggies, herbs, and a zesty dressing, it comes together quickly for a light lunch or side dish. It’s perfect whether you’re meal prepping for the week or want something wholesome and satisfying after a busy day.
Olivia’s Personal Note
I always make my Mediterranean quinoa salad with all the crunchy, colorful goodies like cucumber, olives, red onion, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and of course, salty feta (you know… all the Mediterranean classics!).
But honestly, this recipe is SO flexible. You can totally play around with the mix-ins and make it your own. Use whatever veggies you’ve got hanging out in the fridge!
I love quinoa salads because they’re ridiculously easy to throw together, they taste amazing, and they make the perfect veggie-packed lunch or side dish. Quinoa just goes with everything, which makes it such a great staple when you’re trying to keep meals balanced but still delicious.
Craving more Mediterranean flavors? I’ve got you!
Check out my Mediterranean Chicken Skillet, Instant Pot Mediterranean Chicken, Mediterranean Chopped Salad, or Mediterranean Cauliflower Salad. They’re all super fresh, super tasty, and totally weeknight-friendly.
Key Ingredients to Make this Mediterranean Quinoa Salad:
All ingredients and their amounts are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Quinoa — I’ve tested this salad with white, red, and tri-color quinoa, and they all work beautifully. Just make sure it’s cooked and fluffed, that’s what gives the salad its light, perfect texture.
Salmon: You can go with skin-on or skinless since both work perfectly for this simple air fryer salmon recipe. Skin-on fillets tend to hold together a little better, but as long as you handle them gently when transferring, skinless is totally fine too. And if you can get your hands on wild-caught salmon like coho, sockeye, or king salmon, even better!
Cucumbers, Cherry Tomatoes, Bell Peppers & Red Onions — This veggie combo is one I’ve used over and over again, and it always makes the salad taste fresh, bright, and super satisfying. The cucumber gives that refreshing crunch, the tomatoes add sweetness, the peppers bring color and a little bite, and the red onion ties everything together with that subtle zing. I’ve tried swapping things out based on what I had in the fridge, and honestly it’s pretty forgiving, but this mix is my favorite.
Olives (Kalamata or Black) — I’ve made this salad with all kinds of olives, and both Kalamata and black olives work great. They add that salty Mediterranean flavor that really makes the whole bowl come alive.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil + Lemon Juice — I’ve tested different vinaigrettes, but I always come back to this simple combo. Good olive oil and fresh lemon juice give the salad that bright, clean, Mediterranean flavor that keeps you going back for another bite.
Instructions to Make Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Air fry Salmon:
- If your air fryer requires preheating, do that before anything else! Set it to 400°F (200°C).
- Drizzle salmon fillets with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Rub the oil and spices all over each fillet to fully coat.
- Arrange salmon fillets in the air fryer, avoiding overlap as much as possible, then cook for 7-9 minutes.
Make quinoa:
- While salmon is cooking in the air fryer, you can get started on your quinoa!
- Boil water on the stovetop over high heat and rinse quinoa really well while you wait for the water to heat up.
- Add rinsed quinoa to boiling water, then reduce heat and cover with a lid. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, then remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
Mix dressing:
- While you wait for you quinoa to cool down a bit, make your salad dressing! Simply measure all ingredients into a small mason jar and whisk or shake until emulsified.
Assemble salad:
- Grab a large bowl and add cooked quinoa, red onion, olives, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber and feta cheese. Stir until ingredients are well combined.
- Drizzle dressing over salad and give it another good stir. Serve with salmon and fresh parsley garnish. Enjoy!
Olivia’s Recipe Tips
You’ll know your salmon is done when it flakes easily at the thickest part of the fillet. Simply press with your finger or a fork to see if it flakes apart!
Make sure you rinse your quinoa before you cook it, skipping this step can result in a bitter tasting grain.
If you don’t like feta cheese, feel free to substitute cheese of choice. Small mozzarella balls (pearls) or goat cheese would make a delicious substitute!
Meal-prepping this salad? Don’t add the dressing until you’re ready to enjoy! This will keep ingredients fresh for a longer time period.
More Quinoa Recipes
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Air Fryer Salmon
Video
Ingredients
For the Salmon
- 1 lb. salmon cut into 4 ounce fillets
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
For the Dressing
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 small garlic gloves minced
- Salt and black pepper
For the Quinoa Salad
- 1 cup quinoa rinsed
- ½ cup red onion chopped
- ⅓ cup black olives sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup yellow bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup cucumber chopped
- ¼ cup feta cheese crumbles
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Prepare Salmon
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Pour olive oil over the salmon fillets. Then, rub each fillet with salt and black pepper.
- Place the salmon in the basket of the air fryer and cook for 7-9 minutes, depending on this thickness of the salmon.
Cook Quinoa
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and add rinsed quinoa. Cover the saucepan with a lid and let it cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove saucepan from the heat, uncover and fluff quinoa with a fork. Set aside and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes.
Make Dressing & Assemble
- In a mason jar or small bowl, pour the freshly squeezed lemon juice and olive oil. Add minced garlic, salt and pepper. Whisk well and set aside.
- In a large bowl, add cooked quinoa, red onions, black olives, cherry tomatoes, yellow bell pepper, feta cheese and cucumber. Stir really well.
- Pour the homemade vinaigrette dressing over the quinoa salad and stir again. Serve with air fryer salmon and garnish with fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Meal-prepping
- Place an even amount of quinoa salad and salmon into 4 glass containers. Cover with a lid, and place in the fridge for up 4 days. You can also store your salad in one, large container if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?
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That looks delicious! Love the use of quinoa. 🙂
Yum, this sounds so light and fresh! Perfect for a summer lunch. Love that you suggested pairing it with fish, too.
I love quinoa with fish. I think it goes so well together. Glad you like it 😉
Delish! I love that you used pearl bocconcini! It is one of my favorites and it is so cute in salads!
Isn’t it so cute??! I agree, pearl bocconcini works perfect in salads. Thanks for stopping by 😉
I’m all about quinoa salad and this one looks so fresh and flavorful! Love how simple and delicious it is. Perfect for my 4th of July get together!
So glad you like it, Ju! I love quinoa salads of any kind and they are always welcome at my table.Thanks a lot for stopping by 😉
haha I loveeee cheese so I agree with your husband! It’s such a weakness of mine!
This salad looks awesome – so light and simple and perfect for summer!
Cheese is his weakness too 😉 Thanks a lot for stopping by, Ashley!
Ohh YUM!! Such a gorgeous simple and healthy salad.. Love the little addition of cheese in it… 🙂
Thanks, Arpita 😉
This looks absolutely delicious! I love those little pearls of cheese. This would great for lunch 😀 Pinning
So glad you like it, Cindy 😉
I just ate a very similar salad at a restaurant the other day and I was thinking that I needed to recreate it at home! I can’t get enough quinoa salads and this definitely looks like one that I would love!
I can’t get enough quinoa salad too, Isa. I eat quinoa salad at least 2 times a week. Thanks for your comment 😉
I am a huge fan of quinoa, and this salad looks amazing! Love these flavors, and beautiful pictures, too!
Thanks for your nice compliment, Gayle 😉
Life without cheese is not worth living! 😉 Or life without quinoa, for that matter. This looks fresh and delicious!
Sharon, my husband just read your comment and said you are SO right… hahhahah!
I love quinoa, especially a Greek quinoa salad. So delicious!!
Me too, Dani. Greek quinoa salad is my favourite! So fresh 😉
Beautiful summer salad Olivia! This is the kinda salad I can eat from a big bowl while standing over the kitchen counter – and before I know it the whole bowl is gone! So yummy!
hahahah… I do that sometimes, Grace. So funny you said that! Thanks a lot for stopping by 😉
This is such a healthy and light summer lunch or perfect as a side dish for a backyard bbq! Yum!
Agree, Chris! This salad is a perfect side dish for a backyard bbq 😉
I can add Kalamata olives to this beautiful salad of yours and I have a full meal. I do not need any meat with it. Thanks Olivia.
Oh Yes… Kalamata works really well in here 😉 Excellent idea!!!
Mmmm looks like and refreshing! Perfect for a summer lunch or dinner. I love my quinoa!
Me too, Allison! Anything with quinoa is always a “Yes” in my book 😉
This quinoa salads look amazing, Olivia! I love the flavours!
Thanks a lot, Jess 😉
Love this beautiful salad! The flavors sound awesome! So light and fresh and perfect for summer 🙂
Thanks, Kelly! I am glad you like it 😉
Bocconcini is my favorite summer salad mixin! This looks so good!
I also love this cheese in salads. Thanks a lot, Joanne 😉
How totally gorgeous is this salad?! I adore anything mediterranean and love the quinoa in this pretty salad. Would LOVE this for lunch today! 😉 Pinned.