Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Mediterranean quinoa salad is delicious, healthy and packed full of bright flavors. Whip it up in just 15 minutes! This recipe is perfect for lunch, meal-prep, or a light dinner.

I always make my mediterranean quinoa salad with crunchy cucumber, olives, red onion, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes and salty feta (these are common ingredients in Mediterranean cuisine). But this recipe is super flexible, so feel free to play around with your mix-ins. 

Looking for more gluten-free quinoa salad? Try these ones too: Chicken Quinoa Salad, Quinoa Salad Recipe and Shrimp Quinoa Bowl.

I really love quinoa salads because they’re super easy to whip up, tasty, and perfect for creating hearty veggie-packed main dishes or side dish for vegetarians. Quinoa pairs seamlessly with nearly any vegetable, making it a fantastic option for maintaining a healthy diet.

In the mood for Mediterranean food? I’ve got some more yummy recipes for you!

Be sure to check out my Mediterranean Chicken Skillet, Instant Pot Mediterranean Chicken, Mediterranean Chopped Salad or Mediterranean Cauliflower Salad.

Ingredients To Make Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

• Salmon — I generally buy a large piece of salmon and cut it down into 4oz fillets!
• Extra virgin olive oil — Avocado oil can also be substituted.  
• Seasonings — Salt and black pepper are my go-to for this salad.
• Lemon juice — I highly recommend using fresh lemon juice as bottled tends to taste a bit stale. Or you can replace it for your favorite vinegar.
• Garlic — Fresh will taste best, but you can use a jar of minced garlic to save time if desired.
• Quinoa — A delicious, hearty and filling ancient grain! Check out my tips for making perfect, fluffy quinoa.
• Mix-ins — Spicy red onion, black or kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, yellow or red bell pepper and crisp cucumber.
• Feta — Salty feta crumbles, or cheese of choice.
• Parsley or other fresh herbs — Optional garnish for extra flavor and color.

Instructions

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!

How To Store Leftovers

To Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate 1-2 days. If you keep the dressing separate, it should stay good a little longer (3-4 days). Note: the salmon will stay good for 3-4 days with or without dressing added.  

To Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing this mediterranean quinoa salad, though you can separate and freeze salmon in a freezer-bag or container for around 4-6 months.  

To Reheat: You can reheat salmon in the air-fryer if desired, but it’s not necessary and this salad tastes great chilled.

What To Serve With Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe

• Pair your salad with some warm pita bread or dinner rolls and butter.
• Roasted veggies like asparagus, cauliflower, green beans or sweet potatoes would be yummy on the side.
• A tasty dipping sauce can add extra interest to your salad! Fresh tzatziki sauce, hummus or some creamy avocado sauce would be fantastic.
• Taking this salad for lunch? I like to pack some quick fruit salad and a little treat like a chocolate chip cookie bar on the side!

Recipe Variations

Protein: Not in the mood for salmon? Sub shrimp, tilapia, cod or scallops. Chicken, grilled chicken or sausage would also work if you’re not feeling seafood. You can also serve it with tofu, chickpeas and beans to make it vegan. This mediterranean quinoa bowl goes well with any kind of protein.

Grain: Instead of quinoa, you can swap it for fluffy rice, rice pilaf, brown rice or cauliflower rice.

More green: You can enhance this salad with additional greens such as spinach, arugula, and finely chopped kale.

Seasonings: I generally keep things simple with salt and pepper to taste, but you can really use any seasonings you like! A homemade or store-bought Greek seasonings blend would be delicious with this mediterranean quinoa salad.

This Mediterranean quinoa salad is a meal prep champion too, perfect for having a tasty and nutritious option ready whenever you need it.

Recommended Tools

• Air Fryer: It offers a convenient and efficient way to achieve that perfect balance of crispy exterior and tender interior in your salmon.
• Sharp Chef Knife: A sharp chef knife is an indispensable tool for effortlessly and precisely preparing your fresh produce.
• Medium Saucepan: Its size offers just the right capacity to accommodate the grains and liquid, ensuring even cooking and optimal absorption.

Frequently Asked Questions

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