Dairy-Free Mediterranean Grain Salad

Bright, wholesome, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors, this Dairy-Free Mediterranean Grain Salad is a vibrant and healthy dish perfect for any occasion. Made with protein-packed quinoa, crunchy cucumber, sweet cherry tomatoes, and briny kalamata olives, this salad is both nourishing and satisfying. Chickpeas add heartiness, while a zesty lemon and red wine vinegar dressing infused with oregano ties it all together with a tangy kick. Completely dairy-free and ready in just 40 minutes, this versatile dish is ideal as a refreshing side, a light lunch, or a make-ahead meal for busy weeks. Packed with fresh herbs and bold flavors, it’s a colorful celebration of Mediterranean cuisine that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 15-ounce can chickpeas
• 1 medium cucumber
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 0.5 small red onion
• 0.5 cup kalamata olives
• 0.5 cup parsley
• 1 medium lemon
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked and the water is absorbed. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool.

Step 2

While quinoa is cooking, drain and rinse the chickpeas. Dice the cucumber and red bell pepper. Halve the cherry tomatoes and finely chop the red onion and parsley.

Step 3

In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, chickpeas, cucumber, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and kalamata olives.

Step 4

In a small bowl, whisk together the juice of the lemon, olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 5

Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss well to ensure everything is evenly coated.

Step 6

Garnish with chopped parsley, and serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1877.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2076.3

Total Fat 96.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 11.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3871.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 247.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 49.2g	0%
Total Sugars 36.0g
Protein 67.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 508.1mg	0%
Iron 25.1mg	0%
Potassium 2615.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.7%

Protein: 12.7%

Carbs: 46.6%