Greek(ish) Quinoa Salad

I call this Greek(ish) quinoa salad because it has most of the ingredients you’d expect from a traditional Greek salad (and trust me, I know after trying many in my neighborhood of Astoria, Queens). BUT this certainly isn’t an authentic Greek recipe, hence the “ish.”

The best part is you’ll still get the delicious flavors of a Greek salad like the tanginess from the feta, saltiness from Kalamata olives, and lots of crunchiness from the fresh vegetables. The quinoa makes it a complete side dish with your grains and vegetables all in one bite. And the homemade lemon vinaigrette brings it all together.

Like I said, this is the prefect side dish served with your favorite protein like salmon or chicken tenders. That’s why it’s perfect for meal prep, picnics, or as your offering at an upcoming party. You can also eat it on its own as a light lunch or healthy snack between meals.

Now, it’s time to get to work, and I promise all of the chopping will be worth it when this delicious salad is on your table! ENJOY!

What kind of feta should I use for my Greek(ish) quinoa salad?

You should buy your feta as fresh as possible, which might be buying a block of it in brine. This is my preferred route if I can’t make it to the Greek market. Just make sure to gently squeeze the extra brine out with a paper towel.

Crumble it in large pieces until your measuring cup is full (or overfull)! If you buy packaged pre-crumbled feta, it won’t taste as fresh or strong, but I understand if it’s the most affordable and accessible option. This salad will be delicious either way.

Can I eat quinoa salad cold?

Absolutely! This salad is best served chilled, which is why it’s essential to let the quinoa cool down before you toss it with the other ingredients. Room temperature also works.

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Greek(ish) Quinoa Salad

Servings: 4

Author: Austin Havens

This delicious quinoa salad has all of the elements of a Greek salad like cucumbers, tomatoes, feta, and Kalamata olives mixed with quinoa for the perfect side dish!

Ingredients

Salad ingredients

• 1/2 cup quinoa (This will make about 1 cup of cooked quinoa so use 1 cup if you're using pre-cooked quinoa)
• 2 Roma tomatoes
• 1 cucumber (Or half of an English cucumber)
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1/2 red onion
• 1/4 cup parsley (About a 1/4 of a bunch)
• 1/2 cup crumbled Greek feta cheese
• 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives
• Salt and pepper to taste

Dressing ingredients

• 1/2 lemon
• 1/3 cup olive or avocado oil
• 2 tsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Cook your quinoa according to the package (Don't forget to wash it first!) and let it cool in the fridge when it's ready.
2. Meanwhile, chop your tomatoes, red onion, and green pepper.
3. Cut your cucumber into quarters and chop.
4. Destem your parsley and finely chop.
5. Crumble your feta.
6. Juice the lemon and whisk it together with the other dressing ingredients.
7. Combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and add more salt and pepper to taste if needed.
8. Cool in the fridge for 30 minutes, or serve it room temperature! Enjoy!

Notes

Tip: If you're making this delicious salad ahead of time, hold off on mixing in the dressing until it's time to serve.

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