Greek Quinoa Salad as a Healthy Side Dish

This Greek Quinoa Salad recipe brings together delicious Mediterranean flavors into a quick, delicious and healthy Greek side dish that is sure to please!

The other night I cooked a whole box of quinoa and stuck it in the fridge.  This grain-like seed is full of nutrition and the perfect food to make a quick weeknight dinner.  I had dreams of making all kinds of healthy dishes but then forgot about my big bowl of quinoa.

After ordering pizza tonight, I remembered the quinoa in the fridge and thought I'd make this salad as a healthy side dish to balance things out.  Instead of eating half a pizza myself (yes, I can do that), I had a slice (or two) and a nice bowl of this salad.  It was made before the pizza was delivered.

If you need a gluten free option, this is a good one.

Greek Quinoa Salad Ingredient FAQs

How do I buy the best cucumbers?

• Look for cucumbers that are nice and firm, with a surface that is fairly free of spots and blemishes.
• Also make sure to avoid any soft spots, which may indicate rotting.
• The best cucumbers are an even dark green, and yellow spots typically indicate that over-ripening has occurred.
• Avoid skins that are wrinkled, as this can mean that the cucumbers were stored for too long or are dried out.

How do I buy the best tomatoes?

• Perfect tomatoes look plump and juicy, and their skins are smooth.
• The skin should be free of bump or bruises, but some cracking near the stem is perfectly normal.
• Ripe tomatoes have a lovely fragrance to them. If there’s no aroma whatsoever, this could mean the tomato was picked before it was ready and won’t ever ripen properly.
• Planning on using the tomatoes right away? Try to pick ones that are soft to the touch. But if you know you won’t need them for a couple of days, aim for tomatoes that are a bit firmer.

How do I buy the best lemons?

• First, look for rinds that are pretty clear of blemishes and have an even coloring.
• The lemon should feel heavy for its size; this means lots of juice!
• Lemons with skins that are less textured and more smooth tend to yield more juice and fruit flesh as well.
• Avoid any lemons with soft spots or wrinkles.
• Smell the lemons and choose the ones that have sweet, strong aromas.

How to buy and cook quinoa?

• Quinoa can be bought in frozen bags or boxes in your freezer section of the grocery store. This type is precooked and only needs to be heated up in the microwave before using.
• You can also purchase quinoa in boxes or bulk. I like to rinse mine before cooking as it gets rid of the earthiness.  Follow the package directions for perfect cooked quinoa. 
• This is a great ingredient to make a lot of and keep in your refrigerator. You can also cook it then freeze and defrost when you need it. 

 How should I store my leftover Greek quinoa salad?

• Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store in the fridge. It should last up to 5 days there.

 Recipe Variations and Substitutions

• There are lots of things you could add in to this Greek side dish for extra flavor!
• Try some chopped green onion and black or kalamata olives for a little bit of extra saltiness and bite. 
• Chickpeas and quinoa pair really well together, and adding them will provide some extra plant-based protein!
• For a pop of color and flavor, chop up some roasted red peppers and mix in.
• Consider incorporating red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar into the dressing to bring out some of the flavors of the other ingredients!

More Greek Recipes

1. Rainbow Greek Chicken Salad
2. Greek Shrimp and Artichoke Salad 
3. Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce via Swirls of Flavor
4. Greek Shrimp Skewers

More Healthy Side Dish Recipes

1. Easy Roasted Veggies
2. Tomato Chickpea Salad
3. Marinated Mushrooms
4. Warm Brussels Sprouts Slaw
5. Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Zest

First Published March 2013; Updated October 2020

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RECIPE

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