This healthy Greek Quinoa Salad is an easy make-ahead vegetarian side dish that is ready to rock your plate!
Chickpeas and quinoa are a match made in heaven.
Both offer up amazing texture and shine with every sort of dressing/seasoning combo under the sun.
I have a few tasty variations on the blog including my crazy popular Tomato Quinoa Salad and tasty Chickpea Quinoa Taco Bowls so this marvelous Mediterranean style salad is the perfect addition!
My OCD tendencies are telling me I probably need to add better photos next time I make it bc these don’t do the sheer deliciousness of this quinoa justice.
It’s SO. FLIPPING. GOOD.
Between the bevy of fresh veggies, fluffy quinoa, and delish dressing, I’m in quinoa salad heaven over here!
Dress it up!
For the dressing I went with an easy whisk-and-pour lemony Greek dressing.
You’ll want to grab your favorite olive oil (avocado works gloriously too) and a lemon to squeeze for juice. Add in a little apple cider vinegar to brighten up along with a clove of garlic to amp up the flavor, then season with salt, pepper, and dried oregano leaves.
Whisk it all together in a small bowl or add the ingredients to a mason jar to tightly cover and shake. BAM! You now have a deeeeelish dressing for your Greek Quinoa Salad.
Healthy Vegetarian Greek Quinoa Salad
As written this tasty quinoa salad is vegetarian and gluten-free.
Need a vegan version? Simply skip the optional feta and you’re good to go!
This salad is amazingly meal prep friendly so feel free to make it in advance to enjoy all week long.
You can pair it with your favorite protein, veggie burger, or sandwich as a side dish or simply load up your plate and enjoy it all on it’s own!
Greek Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- ½ cup dry quinoa
- ¾ cup water
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 can chickpeas (15 oz) drained and rinsed
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1 cup diced + peeled English cucumber
- ½ cup crumbled feta (skip if vegan)
- ¼-⅓ cup minced red onion
- 2-4 TBSP fresh chopped parsley (optional but tasty!)
LEMONY GREEK DRESSING
- 1 lemon , juiced
- 3 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
- 1 clove garlic , smashed and minced
- ¼ tsp dried oregano leaves
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- First rinse and drain your quinoa using a mesh strainer or sieve. Bring a small pot to medium heat and lightly toast the quinoa to remove any excess water, stirring often. This step is optional but really adds to the nuttiness and fluff factor of the quinoa! Next add your water, set burner to high, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer, covered with the lid slightly ajar, for 12-13 minutes or until quinoa is fluffy and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Once your quinoa is ready, fluff with a fork and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a medium bowl to cool.
- While the quinoa cooks, chop all your veggies and make the dressing.
- To make the salad dressing, whisk together all the ingredients in a small bowl or add to a mason jar (with a tight fitting lid) and shake well.
- Combine cooled quinoa with chopped veggies, optional parsley, and dressing. Mix well. Top with crumbled feta and enjoy!
- You can dive in right away or chill before serving. I love it both ways! If meal prepping, pop it in the fridge and dive in when your'e ready. The dressing will soak into the salad and amplify the flavor even more. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
If you get a chance to try this Greek Quinoa Salad, let me know!
Leave some love in the comment form below or tag your photos with @peasandcrayons on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creation. I can’t wait to see what you whip up!
Crazy for Quinoa?
Check out my round-up of 11 Easy Quinoa Recipes to find your next quinoa recipe to try.
I hiiiiighly suggest you try my Quinoa Fried Rice (with it’s super awesome guide for how to cook perfectly fluffy quinoa) or Cranberry Quinoa Salad next — they’re two of my favs!
Also this Baked Quinoa Casserole from Joy Food Sunshine looks delish!
I love this recipe!! It’s my all time favorite. I always bring it to potlucks and there’s always someone asking for the recipe. I always add diced avocados, it’s seriously the best ever with avocados!
Yay thank you Ciera!!! I try to add avocado whenever I have it on hand too!
Delicious! I will be making this often!!
So happy you enjoyed it Cathy – thanks!
There is something green chopped up (parsley?) in pictures but not listed on ingredient list.. what would that be and how much? Looks yummy!
Hi Sharon! Oh gosh yes it’s parsley and I totally should include it as a mix in. It’s totally optional but tasty. I usually add 2-4 TBSP when I have fresh parsley on hand.
This recipe is made ALOT. I add mixed greens and spinach and make a salad sometimes too.
Highly recommend.
Thanks for the recipe!!!!
I’m so thrilled you’re loving the recipe Harmony — thank you so so much!
Hiii! This looks amazing . I have a bridal shower tomorrow at noon can I make it this morning in advance? Thanks!!
Yes absolutely! Enjoy!
So bright and fresh, and packed with good for you stuff. This will 100% be a summer go-to.
Thanks for a great recipe!
I love this fresh and colorful salad. It’s one of my very favorite things to make in the summer with my garden fresh ingredients.
Thank you Renee!
Yum! This made for the perfect lunch, making again soon!!
Yay!!! So happy to hear it!
This was amazing! Another great take on healthy quinoa bowls that taste delish for a few days.
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!