Name: My Favourite Quinoa Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 cup uncooked quinoa; 2 cups water; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 cucumber, diced; 1/2 red onion, finely chopped; 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese; 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley; 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint; 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice; 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar; 1 garlic clove, minced; Salt and pepper to taste

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Let me introduce you to a dish that wins hearts at my table every single time: My Favourite Quinoa Salad. This Mediterranean-inspired creation is fresh, vibrant, and packed with nutty quinoa, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy feta, crisp cucumbers, and fragrant herbs. The tangy lemon-garlic dressing ties everything together beautifully, making it an irresistible option for lunches, dinners, or even as a crowd-pleasing potluck favorite. Every colorful bite bursts with flavor and nourishment, and it’s one of those recipes you’ll find yourself making on repeat.

My Favourite Quinoa Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what makes My Favourite Quinoa Salad shine: it uses simple, wholesome ingredients, each pulling their weight in flavor and texture. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or new to quinoa, every element elevates the final bowl into something special and memorable.

Quinoa: The star of the show—nutty, fluffy, and naturally gluten-free, it forms the hearty base for this salad.
Water: Essential for cooking the quinoa to tender perfection while keeping it light and fluffy.
Salt: Just a touch enhances every ingredient, bringing all the flavors together.
Cherry tomatoes: Juicy and sweet, these add pops of freshness and color.
Cucumber: Adds a cooling crunch that keeps each bite crisp and lively.
Red onion: A little goes a long way to give a sharp, savory kick.
Feta cheese: Crumbled for creamy, tangy notes just begging to be paired with the herbs.
Fresh parsley: Brings a garden-fresh vibrancy, balancing the richness of the cheese and oil.
Fresh mint: Lifts the whole dish with its cool herbal note—don’t skip it!
Extra virgin olive oil: The backbone of the dressing, delivering a lovely richness and subtle fruitiness.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice: Provides a burst of zesty brightness for irresistible tang.
Red wine vinegar: Adds depth and a gentle sharpness to balance the creamy and fresh elements.
Garlic clove: Finely minced for a kick of aromatic warmth throughout the salad.
Salt and pepper: Final seasoning to taste—because the best salads are perfectly seasoned!

How to Make My Favourite Quinoa Salad

Step 1: Rinse and Cook the Quinoa

Start by rinsing your quinoa under cold water with a fine mesh sieve. This quick step removes any bitterness from the outer coating, ensuring a clean, nutty flavor. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa, water, and salt. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer gently for about 15 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed and the quinoa grains are tender. Once done, remove from heat but keep it covered for 5 minutes—this lets the steam finish the cooking process. Fluff with a fork and let it cool completely, which helps the grains separate and keeps your salad light.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables and Herbs

While the quinoa is cooling, get your veggies and herbs ready. Halve the cherry tomatoes for sweet, juicy bursts in every bite, dice the cucumber for crunch, and finely chop the red onion for a bit of savory sharpness. Don’t forget to chop both the parsley and mint; these fresh herbs are crucial to that signature Mediterranean aroma and lift.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad Base

In your largest mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa with the chopped tomatoes, cucumber, onion, crumbled feta, parsley, and mint. This is where My Favourite Quinoa Salad really takes shape—the colors and aromas should already have you excited!

Step 4: Make the Dressing

In a small bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, add the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and minced garlic. Whisk or shake until smooth and slightly emulsified. The bright, garlicky tang of this dressing is what gives My Favourite Quinoa Salad its mouthwatering character.

Step 5: Toss and Season

Pour the dressing all over your salad and toss well to ensure everything is evenly coated and glistening. Taste for salt and pepper, adjusting to your liking. Cover and chill the salad for at least 30 minutes—this short rest lets the flavors meld and intensifies every forkful.

How to Serve My Favourite Quinoa Salad

Garnishes

For the finishing touch, try a sprinkle of extra chopped parsley or mint just before serving. A few more crumbles of feta give the salad an extra creamy bite and make the presentation pop. Sometimes, I even add a few toasted pine nuts or a pinch of chili flakes for a little adventurous flair—totally optional, but so tasty!

Side Dishes

My Favourite Quinoa Salad works perfectly alongside grilled chicken, fish, or lamb for a complete meal. If you want to keep it vegetarian, serve it with hummus, warm pita bread, or a chickpea stew. Honestly, it pairs beautifully with almost anything, making it a flexible anchor for your Mediterranean-inspired spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings or meal prep, spoon My Favourite Quinoa Salad into mason jars for an easy grab-and-go lunch. Serve it in lettuce leaves or on a bed of baby greens for stunning color. When I’m feeling especially festive, I’ll plate it in a large, shallow bowl and artfully arrange sliced avocados or roasted veggies on top.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This salad is a superstar when it comes to leftovers! Store any remaining My Favourite Quinoa Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it even better for lunch the next day.

Freezing

While many components freeze well on their own, I don’t recommend freezing the assembled salad as the fresh vegetables and herbs may lose their crispness. If you want to work ahead, you can cook and freeze the quinoa separately, then mix everything fresh before serving for that just-made taste.

Reheating

My Favourite Quinoa Salad is meant to be served cold or at room temperature, so there’s no need to reheat. If you do prefer it slightly warm (maybe on a chilly day), gently microwave individual portions for 20–30 seconds or let them sit on the counter for a bit before eating.

FAQs

Can I make My Favourite Quinoa Salad vegan?

Absolutely! Just skip the feta cheese or substitute with your favorite plant-based feta. The salad will still be bursting with flavor and creamy notes from the dressing and veggies.

What protein can I add to make this salad a full meal?

If you want to bulk it up, try adding cooked chickpeas, grilled chicken, shrimp, or even sliced boiled eggs. Each adds a little something special to My Favourite Quinoa Salad and turns it into a complete, satisfying meal.

How do I keep the quinoa fluffy and not mushy?

Make sure to use the right ratio of water and to let the quinoa cool completely after cooking. Fluffing it with a fork and spreading it out helps release steam and keeps the grains light and separate in the salad.

What other herbs work well in this recipe?

If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding fresh dill or basil alongside (or instead of) the parsley and mint. Both add a unique twist to the classic flavors in My Favourite Quinoa Salad.

Can I prep this salad in advance for parties?

Definitely. You can prep every component the night before and toss it all together the next day. In fact, letting My Favourite Quinoa Salad sit for a few hours actually helps the flavors meld, making it party-perfect!

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to fall in love with a salad, give My Favourite Quinoa Salad a try. It’s the kind of dish that’s easy enough for a busy weeknight but unique and flavorful enough to wow your friends and family. Whip it up once, and I have a feeling you’ll be making it again and again!

My Favourite Quinoa Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This refreshing and nutritious quinoa salad is a delightful blend of wholesome ingredients tossed in a zesty dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish for your next gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups water
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Salad:

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, diced
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

For the Dressing:

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Rinse the Quinoa: Rinse the quinoa under cold water using a fine mesh sieve.
Cook the Quinoa: In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until quinoa is tender. Remove from heat, let it sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and cool completely.
Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, parsley, and mint.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and minced garlic.
Toss and Chill: Pour the dressing over the salad, toss well to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.