Greek Quinoa Salad Recipe

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If you hate quinoa salad, you should try the Greek version of it, aka Greek Quinoa Salad. This Greek Quinoa Salad is more impressive to look at, eat, and make. It also makes for quick lunch ideas, which is everyone’s dream.

Like you, I was never a salad or quinoa person. But since I started my healthy era, Ihave been looking up salad recipes. Although quinoa isn’t my top choice, I considered giving Greek Quinoa Salad a try. Well, it did leave an impression because I still enjoy it to this day.

It is the total package that you need to enjoy a refreshing flavor. Regular quinoa can be just quinoa and vegetables. Hence, I prefer the Greek version because the cheese and olives make it 10 times better.

Being busy throughout the week, I often make this quick meal. It lasts about 5 days, which is enough for a busy weekday. Mark my words, this Greek Quinoa Salad will blow you off your mind, so prepare to make some easy lunches for the week.

Equipment Required

Saucepan: For making my quinoa, I am using a saucepan.
Spatula: I am using a spatula to stir the quinoa in between.
Knife: This recipe calls for fine slicing, so I have my sharp knife.
Bowl: I am using a bowl to serve the final dish, but you can also use a plate.

Greek Quinoa Salad Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: This recipe is big enough to serve two people If you want to make more or less, you must adjust the recipe accordingly.

2 Cups Quinoa
1 Cup Halved Grape Tomatoes
¾ Cup Chopped Fresh Parsley
½ Cup Minced Red Onion
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Red Bell Pepper (Chopped)
1 Tbsp Ginger (Chopped)
2 Cloves Garlic, Minced
1 Lemon, Halved: If you don’t have a fresh lemon, use lemon juice instead.
2 Sprigs Coriander
1½ Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Additional Time	Total Time
15 Minutes	15 Minutes	1 Hour	1 Hour 30 Minutes

How To Make Greek Quinoa Salad At Home

Step 1

To make the dressing, combine garlic, ginger, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, parsley, and coriander.

Step 2

Next, take a saucepan and boil quinoa.

Step 3

Let it simmer until you see bubbles forming.

Step 4

To assemble the salad, combine boiled quinoa with cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, and onions. Then, pour the dressing on top and mix.

Step 5

Your Quinoa Salad will be ready in no time.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

I am keeping this vegetarian because this recipe calls for it. But you can add chicken breasts for a protein boost.
If not chicken, you can still add other veggies. My top suggestions are cucumbers, chickpeas, kale, spinach, and tomatoes.
I add fresh herbs to my salad for a refreshing flavour. I add basil, parsley, or dill to refresh my Greek quinoa salad.
When I get tired of quinoa, I make it with barley or lentils.
If your quinoa is not fluffy, then I know how to fix it. To avoid this, I let my quinoa rest for 5-10 minutes after taking it off the heat. This allows the quinoa to absorb all the flavours and steam. Overall, it is more flavorful and fluffy.
To avoid interrupting the cooking process, I avoid opening the lid. If you open the lid too often, then the steam escapes. This affects the cooking time of the quinoa.
A secret that I follow while making this recipe is to wash it with cold water. Do it once, and you will be shocked by the results.
I have made a similar recipe using leftover quinoa. If you have it too, then use it as the results will be the same.

FAQs About Greek Quinoa Salad Recipe

Why is your Greek Salad Quinoa not cooking properly?

Your quinoa is not cooking properly because you have not added enough water. To avoid this, add adequate water and cook it covered. Finally, let it cook and later cool down for the best results.

Why is your Greek Quinoa Salad not fluffy?

Your Greek Quinoa Salad will not be fluffy if you have not added enough water or overcooked it. Also, if you did not rinse it properly, it will be more palatable but less fluffy in texture.

Should you soak your quinoa in water before cooking it?

No, you should not soak your quinoa in water before cooking it. This makes it more concentrated in saponin. Going forward it will alter the taste and texture of the final dish. Instead, thoroughly wash it in water.

Why is your Greek Quinoa Salad so bitter in taste?

Your Greek Quinoa Salad is bitter because you did not wash your quinoa properly. Quinoa has saponin on it, which needs to be washed away. Failing to do this will leave a bitter aftertaste.

Can you make Greek Quinoa Salad by boiling quinoa in regular water?

Yes, you can make it with regular water, but that would make it too bland for this recipe. Hence, it is best to use chicken broth instead of regular water.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

There are many reasons to love Greek Quinoa Salad; one is that it is healthy to enjoy. Being low in calories, people who follow a balanced diet can enjoy it quite enough to know about it in detail. Have a look at the nutritional chart below:

Calories	227 kcal
Total Fat	11g
Saturated Fat	3 g
Cholestrol	12 g
Sodium	666 mg
Total Carbohydrates	26 mg
Dietary Fibre	3 g
Total Sugar	1 g
Protein	7 g
Vitamin C	10 mg
Calcium	84 mg
Iron	2 mg
Potassium	283 mg

Another good thing about this recipe is that it is entirely vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and keto. Hence, people following those diets can have it without any restrictions. On the other hand, people following a vegan diet need to make specific changes first.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegan: This recipe does not contain chicken broth, but you can use vegetable stock instead to make it vegan. Also, use vegan cheese and ditch regular cheese while making it vegan-style.

Storing & Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Countertop: I leave the Greek Quinoa Salad on the counter for only half an hour. It tastes best when enjoyed immediately and hot. After this, I put it in the fridge for further storage.
Refrigeration: If you have leftovers from your Greek Quinoa Salad, you are lucky because they refrigerate well. Add them to airtight containers, which will stay fresh for up to five days.
Freezing: Freezing is also an excellent option for Greek Quinoa Salad. I allow it to cool down completely first. After this, I add it to airtight bags and freeze it for up to 6 months.

Reheating

Stovetop: I prefer to reheat my leftover Greek Quinoa Salad on the stovetop as it is hassle-free. I start by adding a little bit of butter to a skillet. Then, I add the leftover Greek Quinoa Salad and toss it around until it is warm enough. I noticed that making it in the oven can dry the salad. To prevent this scenario, I add broth to the salad before reheating.
Microwave: When facing a time crisis, I use a microwave to reheat my Greek Quinoa Salad quickly. I put it in a microwave-friendly bowl and covered it. Then, I heat it for 30-second increments at medium heat. I added some butter to prevent the Greek Quinoa Salad from drying out.
Oven: I reheat Greek Quinoa Salad in the oven for big gatherings. I preheat my oven to 350 degrees F, then add the leftovers to a baking dish. Then, I cover it with foil and let it heat for 15-20 minutes. For the last few minutes, I like to remove the foil to crisp up the veggies.

What To Serve With This Recipe

You can serve Greek Quinoa Salad with multiple options. I like to have it as a snack with burgers or sandwiches. When I have it for breakfast, I also enjoy delicious Pancakes.

Other options include stuffed peppers, Casserole, porridge, or simple drink options.

Printable Version

More Salad Recipes That You Can Try

Conclusion

I enjoy clean food, and this Greek Quinoa Salad is the perfect example. It is low-maintenance and irresistibly scrumptious, and even non-quinoa lovers can clean their plates in no time.

You must try this recipe if you also want to step up your healthy eating game. After trying it out, tell me how it turned out in the comments below, as it will encourage others to make it too

Greek Quinoa Salad Recipe

Equipment Required

Greek Quinoa Salad Ingredients & Substitutions

Preparation And Cooking Time