Quick Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Achieving a nutritious and satisfying meal in under 30 minutes is effortlessly simple with our Quick Mediterranean Quinoa Salad. With approximately 10 minutes of preparation and 18 minutes of cooking, this delightful dish offers a practical solution for anyone seeking a healthy, flavourful, easy-to-prepare, and versatile option. The vibrant combination of fresh ingredients and authentic Mediterranean flavours makes it an excellent choice for light lunches or quick dinners, providing a superb nutritional balance with minimal fuss. Its robust nature also makes it ideal for efficient meal prepping, supporting your wellness goals with ease.

Quick Overview

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 15-18 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 4.2 oz (120g) quinoa
• 8.5 fl oz (240ml) water
• ½ tsp fine sea salt
• 5.3 oz (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cucumber, diced small
• 1.8 oz (50g) pitted Taggiasche olives
• 2.8 oz (80g) feta cheese, crumbled
• ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
• A small bunch of fresh basil, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp dried oregano

Method

1. Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold running water using a fine-mesh sieve. Transfer the rinsed quinoa to a medium saucepan with the water and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to its lowest setting, cover, and cook for 15-18 minutes, or until all the water has been absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy.
2. Whilst the quinoa is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, and chop the fresh basil. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, prepare the dressing by whisking together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and dried oregano. Mix well until a homogeneous consistency is achieved.
4. Once cooked, remove the quinoa from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Gently fluff it with a fork.
5. In a large bowl, combine the cooked and slightly cooled quinoa with the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, Taggiasche olives, red onion, and fresh basil. Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese.
6. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix gently to combine all the ingredients, ensuring they are well coated.

Serving & Leftovers

Serve the quinoa salad warm or cold. It makes a superb packed lunch option or a delightful side dish. It can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, making it perfect for your weekly meal preparation.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portions.

One Last Thing

Embracing simple yet nutritious recipes like this one significantly streamlines your weekly meal management. It’s an effective way to ensure you eat well, even when time is tight, offering a reliable foundation for your culinary routine and fostering stress-free, balanced eating habits.