Protein Powerhouse Greek Quinoa Salad

Recipe Introduction: Unleash the Greek Goodness!

Fancy a taste of sunshine on a plate? Ever wondered if you could teleport your taste buds to the Mediterranean? Well, you can! My Protein Packed Greek Quinoa Salad is the answer.

It’s a party in your mouth, honestly.

Quick Hook

Ready for a flavor explosion? This Protein Packed Greek Quinoa Salad is bursting with fresh, tangy goodness. Think sunshine, feta, and happy vibes.

Brief Overview

This Vegetarian Greek Salad is inspired by the sunny shores of Greece, this little beauty is packed full of flavor and nutrients.

It’s super easy to throw together and takes around 40 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for a light lunch or a side dish at your next BBQ.

Makes about 4-6 servings. Enough to share... or not!

Main Benefits

This High Protein Vegetarian Salad is not just delicious; it's also good for you. Quinoa is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids.

Perfect for a post workout boost or a healthy midweek meal. It's also great for meal prepping and a fantastic choice for a Healthy Quinoa Meal Prep .

I once made this for a picnic, and it was gone in minutes. Everyone loved how fresh and flavorful it was.

Plus, it's so easy to customize. You can easily adapt this to a Vegan Greek Salad by simply leaving out the feta and adding in a few toasted pumpkin seeds for extra protein!

Ready to get cooking? Let's dive into the list of ingredients you'll need to make this amazing Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad .

This Fresh Quinoa Salad will leave you feeling refreshed and satisfied. It's also a fantastic Greek Salad Side Dish to bring to any gathering.

Get ready to impress!

Ingredients & Equipment for Your Protein Packed Greek Quinoa Salad

Alright, let's talk grub! We are diving into the Protein Packed Greek Quinoa Salad . It's easier than finding a decent parking spot in London, I promise.

I will let you know the essentials. No need to be a Michelin star chef for this Greek Salad Side Dish .

It's that simple.

Main Ingredients: Fresh is Best!

Here's what you will need. Remember, quality counts! Think sunshine in a bowl.

• Quinoa: 1 cup (180g) , rinsed until the water runs clear. Honestly, don't skip the rinsing, or it can taste a bit bitter, you know?
• Vegetable Broth/Water: 2 cups (475ml) . Vegetable broth adds extra flavor, but water works just fine.
• Cucumber: 1 English cucumber , diced. Choose one that's firm to the touch. No soggy cucumbers allowed!
• Cherry Tomatoes: 1 pint (2 cups) , halved. The riper, the better.
• Red Onion: 1 , finely diced. If you are not a fan, use spring onions.
• Kalamata Olives: 1 cup (150g) , pitted and halved. The brinier, the better.
• Feta Cheese: 4 ounces (115g) , crumbled. You can use vegan feta too for a Vegetarian Greek Salad .
• Chickpeas: 1 (15-ounce/425g) can , rinsed and drained. Drain them well.
• Fresh Parsley: 1/2 cup (packed) , chopped. Flat leaf parsley gives the best flavour.
• Fresh Mint: 1/4 cup (packed) , chopped. It adds a lovely freshness.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 1/4 cup (60ml) . Splurge on the good stuff here.
• Lemon Juice: 1/4 cup (60ml) , fresh. About 2 lemons . Bottled juice just isn't the same.
• Garlic: 2 cloves , minced. Fresh is always best.
• Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon . This is that Essential spice combination .
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon .
• Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon .

Equipment You Will Actually Need

You don't need a fancy kitchen for this. Just the basics!

• Medium saucepan: For cooking the quinoa. A decent one will do the trick.
• Large mixing bowl: To toss everything together.
• Cutting board & Chef's knife: Obvious, innit?
• Whisk or fork: For the dressing.

That's it! Now you're all set to create this amazing Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad . It's gonna be your new favorite Easy Quinoa Lunch Recipes ! You know what i mean!.

And It's so good for you, a real High Protein Vegetarian Salad or a tasty Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl . Perfect if you are doing Healthy Quinoa Meal Prep .

This Fresh Quinoa Salad tastes amazing.

Cooking Up a Protein Packed Greek Quinoa Salad!

Right then, let's get down to it! I'm buzzing to share my take on a Protein Packed Greek Quinoa Salad. Honestly, this isn't just a salad; it's like a Mediterranean holiday in a bowl.

It is a Greek Salad Side Dish that's bloody delicious. Plus, it is perfect as Easy Quinoa Lunch Recipes , and it keeps you full for ages.

So, ditch the boring sarnies and let's get prepping!

Get Your Ducks in a Row: Prep Steps

First things first, the essential mise en place . Basically, get everything chopped, measured, and ready to roll. Honestly, it saves so much time and stress later on.

Chop the cucumber, halve those cherry tomatoes, and dice the red onion. Rinse your quinoa, you don't want any bitterness in this Fresh Quinoa Salad ! Remember to wash your hands before you start, safety first!

step-by-step to Quinoa Perfection

1. Cook the quinoa: In a saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa with water or broth and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low . Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes , or until all the liquid is gone.
2. Chop your veggies: Dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, and finely dice the red onion. Halve your Kalamata olives too.
3. Whip up the dressing: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. The dressing is what will bring this Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad to life!
4. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, olives, and chickpeas. If using feta, toss it in now too.
5. Dress it up: Pour that lovely dressing over the salad. Toss it gently to make sure everything is coated nicely.
6. Chill it! Pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let all those flavors get to know each other.

Pro Tips for a Greek Quinoa Salad That Pops

Want to really nail this Quinoa Salad with Feta ? Use good quality olive oil and fresh lemon juice; they make a massive difference.

Don't overcook the quinoa; mushy quinoa is a sin! Also, remember to taste and adjust the dressing to your liking.

You can prep this Healthy Quinoa Meal Prep up to 3 days in advance, so it's great for meal prepping! One thing I learned is to go easy on the feta to keep the salt levels in check, especially if using salty olives.

Enjoy this delicious Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl that’s also a High Protein Vegetarian Salad .

Recipe Notes for Your Protein Packed Greek Quinoa Salad

Right then, you've made this Protein Packed Greek Quinoa Salad , and it’s looking and smelling amazing! But before you tuck in, let’s cover a few bits and bobs to make sure it's absolutely spot on every time.

Honestly, it is one of my favorite Easy Quinoa Lunch Recipes . I have been testing this one for years!

Serving Suggestions: From Plate to Palate

Fancy making it look a bit posh? For plating, try layering the salad in a bowl, finishing with a generous crumble of feta and a sprig of mint. Presentation is key, innit?

As a Greek Salad Side Dish , this goes brilliantly with grilled chicken or fish. If you want a proper Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl , add a dollop of hummus and some warm pita bread.

A Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad goes excellent on it's own! Don't forget your drink! A crisp, dry white wine really brings out the fresh quinoa salad's flavours.

Storage Tips: Keepin' it Fresh

This Vegetarian Greek Salad is perfect for Healthy Quinoa Meal Prep . If you have leftovers, just pop them in an airtight container and shove them in the fridge.

It'll keep for up to 3 days. This is where Recipe Quinoa is at it's best.

Fancy making a big batch? Freezing isn't ideal, as the cucumber and tomatoes can get a bit soggy. But if you must, freeze without the dressing.

Thaw overnight in the fridge. To reheat, let it come to room temperature and give it a good stir. Maybe add a squeeze of fresh lemon to liven it up.

Variations: Get Your Twist On

Need a vegan version? Easy peasy! Just ditch the feta for a completely delicious High Protein Vegetarian Salad . You could even add some toasted pumpkin seeds for extra protein.

Also, for a seasonal twist, try adding roasted butternut squash in the autumn or some juicy watermelon in the summer.

Seasonal ingredients keep things interesting.

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite

Let’s be real, nobody wants a lecture on nutrition. But this salad is seriously good for you. It's packed with protein from the quinoa and chickpeas, loads of fibre, and plenty of vitamins from all the veggies.

Each serving has around 15g of protein, about 35g of carbohydrates, and about 20g of fat. It's a proper High Protein Vegetarian Salad , basically.

So there you have it! A cracking Protein Packed Greek Quinoa Salad with all the tips and tricks you need. Give it a go, and let me know what you think! You got this!