30 Minute Meals
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Prep
10 minutes
Cook
20 minutes
Yield
6
š„ This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is fresh, healthy, and perfect for meal prep! Ready in 30 minutes with fresh herbs and vegetables!
This Mediterranean quinoa salad is a healthy salad you can meal prep for lunches for the week. It’s filling from the quinoa, and fresh and delicious from the fresh herbs and veggies. This is a great Greek quinoa salad to whip up for a healthy meal.
ā¤ļø Why You’ll Love This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
- Quick & Easy: This easy Mediterranean quinoa salad recipe is super easy to make and will only take 30 minutes to create.
- Meal-Prep Hero: Perfect for prepping lunches for the week with containers that stay fresh for days.
- Plant-Protein Rich: Quinoa provides complete protein plus fiber, iron, and antioxidants in every bite.
- Naturally Gluten-Free: This healthy Mediterranean quinoa salad is naturally gluten-free and suitable for various dietary needs.

š² Ingredients
Quinoa ā A hearty, plant-based source of complete protein that’s packed with fiber, iron, and antioxidants. Quinoa is so good for you and incredibly easy to make and prep in advance. Always rinse quinoa before cooking to remove the natural coating that can taste bitter and ensure fluffy, perfectly cooked grains. White quinoa cooks fastest and has a mild flavor, while red quinoa offers a nuttier taste and slightly firmer texture that holds up beautifully in salads.
Fresh Herbs ā I used fresh oregano and mint for this quinoa Mediterranean salad, but you can experiment with different fresh herbs you have on hand like parsley, dill, or basil. Fresh herbs provide antioxidants and that authentic Mediterranean flavor that makes this salad so special and aromatic.

š©āš³ How to Make Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
- Cook & fluff quinoa: Rinse quinoa thoroughly and cook according to package directions until fluffy and tender.
- Chop the vegetables: While quinoa cooks, chop all your fresh vegetables into bite-sized pieces for the perfect texture.
- Shake dressing: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, and seasonings until well combined.
- Toss & taste: In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except the avocado and stir until everything is well coated with dressing.
- Store or serve: You can store it in the refrigerator in individual containers or one large container. When serving, add the desired amount of fresh avocado on top.
šŖ Tips and Tricks
- Quinoa: Always rinse quinoa before cooking to remove bitter coating and achieve the best flavor.
- Avocado: Only add avocado when serving to prevent browning during storage.
- Freshness: Use the freshest vegetables possible for the best taste and crunch in your salad.
- Customization: Add ingredients like olives, capers, bell peppers, or cucumber for extra Mediterranean flair.
- Jar-Salad: Layer dressing on the bottom, quinoa in the middle, and greens on top for perfect meal-prep mason jar salads that stay fresh for 4 days.

š Variations
- Quinoa: Couscous, bulgur wheat, or farro work as grain alternatives for different textures.
- Herbs: Parsley, dill, or basil can replace mint and oregano based on your preferences.
- Veggie Matrix: The beauty of this Mediterranean quinoa salad is adapting to what’s in season. For summer freshness, use tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers for crisp, hydrating vegetables. In winter months, try roasted butternut squash, olives, and massaged kale for heartier, warming flavors that still deliver that Mediterranean essence.
- Protein: Add chickpeas, grilled chicken, or cannellini beans for extra protein and substance.
- Dress It Your Way: To mix it up, you could try classic lemon-oregano, creamy tahini-lemon, or tangy Greek-yogurt herb.
š Best served with
- Greek Burger with Flaming Saganaki Cheese
- Greek Baby Back Ribs in the Oven
- Vegan Greek Meatballs
- Greek Lentil Soup (Fakes)

š How to Store Leftovers
This vegan Mediterranean quinoa salad will last up to 5 days in a tightly sealed container in the fridge. Be sure to only add the avocado when serving to maintain freshness and prevent browning.
š¤ Common Questions
Yes! Cooked quinoa freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw completely and fluff with a fork before using in this recipe.
When stored properly in a sealed container, this salad stays fresh for up to 5 days without the avocado added.
This salad is delicious served cold or at room temperature, making it perfect for meal prep and summer dining.
Simple olive oil and lemon juice dressing is naturally gluten-free, or use any certified gluten-free vinaigrette.
Store dressing separately and add just before eating, or layer dressing on the bottom with sturdier ingredients on top.
Quinoa provides complete protein and is naturally gluten-free, while couscous is lower in protein but has a different texture preference.
Add chickpeas, hemp hearts, pumpkin seeds, or cannellini beans for extra plant-based protein and texture.
Absolutely! Leftover roasted vegetables add amazing depth of flavor and work perfectly in this Mediterranean quinoa salad.
Add protein like chickpeas or grilled chicken, healthy fats like nuts or seeds, and extra vegetables for a more substantial meal.

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Your Greek mommy that is. š Step into my kitchen to learn how to make yummy Greek food. š½ļøš
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked quinoa cooled
- 1 1/2 cups assorted cherry tomatoes halved
- 8 radishes trimmed and quartered
- 1/2 cup of vegan or regular feta
- 1/4 cup fresh mint chopped
- 3 tbsp. fresh oregano chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 avocado pitted and cut into cubes
Instructions
- Into a large bowl, combineĀ all the ingredients apart from the avocado and stir till combined.
- You can storeĀ it in the refrigerator in individual containers or 1 large container.
- When serving, serve with the desired amount of avocado on top or tossed into your serving size. I recommend 1 avocado for 4 servings.
Video

This is the best quinoa salad Iāve tasted! It makes a perfect light lunch.
thank you, marie!
Another great recipe! Keeping this on rotation, thanks so much!
thank you so much!
A beautiful refreshing salad, and an excellent way to use extra vegetables from my garden!
yes!!!!!
I loved the salad so so so much, but I think I didn’t leave the quinoa enough, it watered down the salad!
next time let it cool completely
Delicious! This will be a go-to recipe for me, I am a student and like to prepare my food so I don’t waste time. A great salad to pack and go.
Amazing salad! Once again the flavor profile is delicious.
hey kelly! Thank you!
This recipe is perfect to make when you are trying to eat healthier during the workweek. I make it on Sunday then pack it for lunch for several days.
thank you so much carla!
Great recipe! Fresh tasting, easy and healthy!
yes, thank you so much emily
I made this last week and then again for a friend dinner, I got asked for the recipe! Makes a great potluck dish or make it for lunches for the week.
thank you julia!
I made it. Super easy, yummy, and healthy. Thanks, for the recipe !
you are so welcome!