Whole30 Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Bright, fresh, and irresistibly healthy, this Whole30 Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is a vibrant twist on a classic dish that’s perfect for meal prep, light lunches, or side dishes. Packed with the nutty goodness of fluffy quinoa, crunchy cucumber, sweet cherry tomatoes, and tangy kalamata olives, each bite bursts with the flavors of the Mediterranean. Fresh parsley and mint add a herby freshness, while a zesty lemon-garlic vinaigrette ties it all together in a wholesome, Whole30-compliant recipe. Quick and easy, with only 15 minutes of prep time, this nutrient-dense salad is naturally gluten-free, vegan, and utterly satisfying. Serve it chilled or at room temperature for a refreshing dish you’ll want to make again and again. Perfect for those embracing a Whole30 lifestyle or anyone seeking a deliciously nourishing recipe full of bold, Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 large cucumber
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 0.5 small red onion
• 0.5 cup kalamata olives
• 0.5 cup fresh parsley
• 0.25 cup fresh mint
• 0.25 cup lemon juice
• 0.25 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa under cold water using a fine-mesh sieve.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.

Step 3

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

Step 4

While the quinoa is cooling, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and chop the red bell pepper and red onion into small pieces.

Step 5

Roughly chop the kalamata olives, parsley, and mint.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, olives, parsley, and mint.

Step 7

In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.

Step 8

Pour the dressing over the quinoa salad and toss until well combined.

Step 9

Adjust salt and pepper to taste, if necessary.

Step 10

Serve immediately or refrigerate for a couple of hours to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1662.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1573.5

Total Fat 103.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 12.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5029.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 137.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.4g	0%
Total Sugars 19.0g
Protein 31.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 329.1mg	0%
Iron 13.1mg	0%
Potassium 1758.9mg	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: 57.9%

Protein: 7.7%

Carbs: 34.4%