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!
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.
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
I definitely consider quinoa to be healthy! It’s gluten free, high in fiber, full of nutrients and much lower in carbs compared to rice.
If you don’t give your quinoa a good rinse, it can taste a little bitter once cooked. I recommend using a fine mesh strainer and running your raw quinoa under cool water for 30 to 60 seconds before boiling.
While quinoa can be enjoyed both hot or cold, I definitely recommend serving this salad chilled! You can reheat the salmon portion of the dish, if desired!
Watch the Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Web Story.
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
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.
Tips
- To see if salmon is done, press the thickest part of the fillet with your finger or a fork to see if it flakes apart!
- Rinse quinoa before cooking to avoid bitter flavor.
- Sub mozzarella balls (pearls) or goat cheese for feta, if desired.
- Meal-prepping? Keep dressing to the side and add right before eating.
- To Store: Transfer salad to an airtight container and refrigerate 1-2 days. If you store the dressing separately, it should stay good a bit longer (3-4 days). Air fryer salmon will stay good for 3-4 days with or without dressing added.
- To Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing this salad, but you can separate and freeze salmon for 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.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
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Baby June says
That looks delicious! Love the use of quinoa. 🙂
Leah | So, How's It Taste? says
Yum, this sounds so light and fresh! Perfect for a summer lunch. Love that you suggested pairing it with fish, too.
Olivia says
I love quinoa with fish. I think it goes so well together. Glad you like it 😉
Annie @Maebells says
Delish! I love that you used pearl bocconcini! It is one of my favorites and it is so cute in salads!
Olivia says
Isn’t it so cute??! I agree, pearl bocconcini works perfect in salads. Thanks for stopping by 😉
Julia says
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!
Olivia says
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 😉
Ashley says
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!
Olivia says
Cheese is his weakness too 😉 Thanks a lot for stopping by, Ashley!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong says
Ohh YUM!! Such a gorgeous simple and healthy salad.. Love the little addition of cheese in it… 🙂
Olivia says
Thanks, Arpita 😉
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
This looks absolutely delicious! I love those little pearls of cheese. This would great for lunch 😀 Pinning
Olivia says
So glad you like it, Cindy 😉
Isadora @ She Likes Food says
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!
Olivia says
I can’t get enough quinoa salad too, Isa. I eat quinoa salad at least 2 times a week. Thanks for your comment 😉
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I am a huge fan of quinoa, and this salad looks amazing! Love these flavors, and beautiful pictures, too!
Olivia says
Thanks for your nice compliment, Gayle 😉
Sharon says
Life without cheese is not worth living! 😉 Or life without quinoa, for that matter. This looks fresh and delicious!
Olivia says
Sharon, my husband just read your comment and said you are SO right… hahhahah!