This vegan, gluten free Mediterranean quinoa salad is the best make ahead recipe for a healthy lunch or dinner. It’s easy to make and super nutritious.

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad - Daisybeet

You know those meals that you just feel HAPPY eating? This is one of them for me. It’s a quinoa salad you’d order at a cute vegan cafe, or grab and go for a picnic lunch.

This recipe is super easy to make, with no complicated ingredients. It’s vegan and gluten free, so you can share with loved ones who have dietary restrictions. Additionally, it’s so tasty, fresh, and filling on it’s own, but makes an excellent side dish, too.

More delicious healthy quinoa recipes to try: red quinoa salad with feta cheese and quinoa beet salad with butternut squash.

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad - Daisybeet

What’s in this Mediterranean quinoa salad?

Here are all the ingredients you need to make this salad. Everything is plant based, and the summer vegetables are in season right now!

  • Quinoa: This pseudo-grain is the base of the salad. It has a mild, nutty flavor and slightly chewy texture. Quinoa also packs more protein than other grains. One cup cooked has 8 grams!
  • Cherry tomatoes: Choose the smallest ones you can find.
  • Cucumber: I recommend using English or greenhouse cucumber, because they have very few, small seeds.
  • Bell pepper: I used a red one, but any color will do.
  • Red onion
  • Parsley
  • Basil
  • Kalamata olives
  • Lemon
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Ingredients- Daisybeet

How to make Mediterranean quinoa salad

  • Cook quinoa on the stovetop according to package instructions.
  • Chop the tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion.
  • Mince the fresh herbs.
  • Slice kalamata olives in half.
  • Whisk together lemon juice and olive oil.
  • Mix everything together in a large bowl, and toss everything in the dressing with a generous shake of salt and pepper.
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad - Daisybeet

Let me know if you love this recipe by leaving a comment or rating below, and check out Instagram and Pinterest for more healthy lifestyle inspiration. Thanks for stopping by!

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad - Daisybeet
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Mediterranean Quinoa Salad (Vegan, Gluten Free)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Alex Aldeborgh
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: serves 4
  • Category: main dish
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Description

This vegan, gluten free Mediterranean quinoa salad is the best make ahead recipe for a healthy lunch or dinner. It’s easy to make and super nutritious.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup dry quinoa
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced small
  • 1 English cucumber, diced small
  • 1/3 cup red onion, diced small,
  • 1/3 cup kalamata olives, halved
  • 1/4 cup parsley, minced
  • 1/4 cup basil, minced
  • 2 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
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Instructions

  1. Cook quinoa according to package instructions. Add a pinch of salt to the cooking water. Let cool completely before adding to the rest of the salad.
  2. Once quinoa is cooled, combine it in a large mixing bowl with all the chopped veggies, olives, and herbs.
  3. Whisk together the lemon juice and olive oil.
  4. Pour dressing over the ingredients, along with a generous shake of salt and a fresh cracked pepper.
  5. Mix everything together, so all ingredients are well dispersed and coated in the dressing.

Notes

  • Can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days in an airtight container. Makes for great leftovers of a meal prepped lunch recipe.

Nutrition Disclaimer

As a Registered Dietitian, I create nutritionally-balanced recipes using whole food ingredients to promote good health and well-being.  Additionally, I am a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. My nutrition philosophy encompasses an all-foods-fit approach, and I do not promote tracking calories, macronutrients, or other numbers. Nevertheless, I understand that this information can be educational and helpful for some people.

I cannot guarantee complete accuracy of the nutrition information provided here, as these numbers are estimates. Nutrition is individualized. If you have specific nutrition needs, please consult your physician or a Registered Dietitian. 

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Mediterranean Quinoa Salad - Daisybeet