High Protein Mediterranean Garden Salad with Olive Oil

Elevate your salad game with this High Protein Mediterranean Garden Salad with Olive Oil, a vibrant and nutrient-packed dish perfect for lunch or dinner. Featuring a blend of protein-rich quinoa and chickpeas, crisp baby spinach, and fresh vegetables like cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red bell pepper, this salad is a feast for both the eyes and palate. Tangy feta cheese, briny black olives, and a zesty homemade dressing of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and dried oregano bring bold Mediterranean flavors to every bite. Quick to prepare in just 35 minutes, this wholesome salad is a satisfying, healthy option that’s as delicious as it is nourishing. Perfect for meal prep, a light meal, or a refreshing side dish, it’s a must-try for Mediterranean cuisine enthusiasts.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 425 grams chickpeas, canned and drained
• 120 grams quinoa
• 240 ml water
• 1 medium cucumber, diced
• 200 grams cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 100 grams black olives, sliced
• 100 grams feta cheese, crumbled
• 30 grams fresh parsley, chopped
• 100 grams baby spinach
• 60 ml extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper, ground

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa with the water and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 12-15 minutes, or until the quinoa is cooked and the water has been absorbed.

Step 2

Once the quinoa is cooked, fluff it with a fork and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3

In a large salad bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, drained chickpeas, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, red bell pepper, black olives, feta cheese, chopped parsley, and baby spinach.

Step 4

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

Step 5

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to ensure all the ingredients are well coated with the dressing.

Step 6

Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1751.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1996.9

Total Fat 113.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 26.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 83.3mg	0%
Sodium 4725.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 195.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 38.9g	0%
Total Sugars 33.9g
Protein 65.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 951.5mg	0%
Iron 19.1mg	0%
Potassium 2756.9mg	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: 49.4%

Protein: 12.7%

Carbs: 37.9%