Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe
User Reviews
4.6
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
25 mins
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Servings
5 servings
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Calories
519 kcal
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Cuisine
Mediterranean
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe
Description
This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad recipe begins by cooking diced red onion in olive oil until softened and slightly brown to deepen the flavor. Quinoa is added to the pan and toasted briefly before simmering with water, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar until the liquid is absorbed. Once cooked, fresh spinach is stirred in to wilt gently.
Once cooled slightly, drained chickpeas, quartered artichoke hearts, pitted kalamata olives, and crumbled goat cheese are combined into the quinoa. The salad is seasoned with cardamom, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, and optionally a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat. The mixture offers varied textures from soft quinoa and spinach to tangy cheese and savory olives, with refreshing acidity from the lemon and vinegar dressing. This salad pairs well with grilled meats or as a vegetarian main or side.
Artichoke options include canned packed in water or frozen thawed and drained, avoiding those packed in oil to prevent greasiness. Quinoa may require a bit of extra water during cooking if needed. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to five days; freezing is possible though texture of spinach will change.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 red onion diced small (white or yellow onion may be substituted, medium
- 1 cup quinoa I used white; another color may be substituted, dry uncooked
- 1 ½ cups water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2-3 cups spinach loosely packed (2 heaping handfuls, fresh
- chickpeas drained and rinsed (I use no-salt added, one 15-ounce can
- artichoke hearts drained and halved or quartered or 1 cup frozen that have been thawed and drained (See Notes, one 15-ounce can
- ⅔ cup kalamata olives or as desired, pitted and drained, black
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste if desired
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper or to taste, freshly ground
- 6 ounces goat cheese crumbled (feta may be substituted)
Instructions
- To a large skillet or saucepan, add the olive oil, onion, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until onion has softened and just begun to barely brown, about 7 minutes.
- Add the quinoa and stir it into the onions and let it toast for about 30 seconds.
- Add the water, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until all liquid has been absorbed** (See Notes). While it’s simmering, prep and drain the remaining ingredients.
- When the quinoa is done, turn off the heat, add the spinach, and stir into the quinoa until it wilts, about 1 minute.
- Add the chickpeas, artichokes, olives, cardamom, salt, pepper, stir well to combine, and taste. If desired, add additional salt, pepper, cardamom, or for a tiny bit of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Add the goat cheese (wait until the quinoa has cooled if you don't want it to melt into the quinoa and disintegrate), stir to combine, and serve. Quinoa salad may be served warm and fresh, at room temp, or chilled straight from the fridge.
Notes
- Use artichoke hearts packed in water or thawed frozen ones to avoid greasiness; rinse and drain thoroughly.
- If quinoa needs more water to cook through, add a little extra during simmering to ensure tenderness.
- Store the salad airtight in the fridge for up to five days; it tastes better after flavors meld, though spinach may discolor if frozen.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 5servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 519 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 519kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 54g | 18% |
| Protein | 21g | 42% |
| Fat | 26g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 17g | 100% |
| Cholesterol | 16mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 1238mg | 52% |
| Fiber | 13g | 52% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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