Greek Quinoa Salad

I seem to always have food on my mind, whether it’s something I want to eat or a recipe that I want to create.  I’d say it’s a food blogger thing but I’ve been this way since before I had my blog.  I guess I’m just a big fan of food.

The other day I was thinking about lunch time at about 10 am.  I was in the mood for quinoa and I was craving Greek food.   I used to hate quinoa a few years ago so it’s funny that I look forward to creating new recipes with it.  Just goes to show ya!

This salad is loaded with healthy quinoa and has a Greek flair to it.

07Greek Quinoa Salad

Greek Quinoa Salad Recipe
(About 4 servings)

Ingredients for Dressing:

  • 1 to 2 fresh lemons (the goal is 1/4 cup lemon juice and the zest of 1 lemon)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Ingredients for Salad:

Directions for Dressing:

  1. In a small bowl, add the zest of 1 lemon.
  2. Add the juice of 1 to 2 lemons.  (The goal is to get about 1/4 cup lemon juice.)
  3. Add in the oil.
  4. Season with salt and pepper and then whisk all of the ingredients together.

Directions for Salad:

  1. Prepare the quinoa according to the directions on the package.
  2. In a large bowl, gently mix together the cooked quinoa, chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta cheese.
  3. Drizzle the dressing on top and gently mix everything together.
  4. After you plate the salad, top with cucumber yogurt dip and sprinkle chopped dill on top.

Source:  Tina’s Chic Corner

 

I’ve visited Greece twice and most recently with my husband back in 2010.  When you order a salad there you get tomatoes, cucumbers, and a lot of feta cheese (sometimes in one huge block) tossed in a simple lemon or oil dressing of some sort and there is no lettuce at all.  Lettuce just isn’t used there for salads like it is here in the U.S.

I’m building my quinoa salad off of a traditional Greek salad, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, and some salty feta.  (I seriously cannot get enough of the gorgeous fresh veggies available this time of the year.)

01Greek Quinoa Salad

I love, love, love, yogurt cucumber dip (aka tzatziki sauce).  If you’re not familiar with it, it’s a yogurt mixed with cucumbers, olive oil, and herbs.  In Greece, it’s traditionally served with meats or appetizers.  I could eat that stuff with just about anything, like my Spicy Sweet Potato Fries, but today I thought I’d use it as a topping to my salad.  It kicks up the “Greek-ness” of this salad.

02Greek Quinoa Salad

Greek flair.  Check.  Now for the quinoa.  It makes this salad super hearty and filling.

I whipped this lunch up in less than 30 minutes!  Actually, it took me more like 20 minutes but just in case you’re a slower veggie chopper than me I’ve factored in a few additional minutes.     😉

03Greek Quinoa Salad

Does your world revolve around food?

 

Rating:

3 Hats

 

Here are some other refreshing salads.

Asparagus and Peas Medley

08Pea And Asparagus Medly

Indian Chickpea Salad

02Indian Chickpea Salad

White Beans and Couscous with Fresh Tomato Salad

05White Beans Couscous Tomato Salad

 

Comments

  1. I am always looking for new ways to use quinoa, so I’m loving this recipe! Especially the dressing, I love how light it is. Perfect for the summer!

    1. Tina says:

      Awesome! 🙂

  2. Haha… Does my world revolve around food? Yes, I finish my breakfast and move right onto thinking about my next meal. LOL! I really should be the size of a house. 🙂
    I wonder why we add lettuce to all our salads when the cultures we are claiming the dish comes from doesnt? I like the addition of quinoa to a Greek salad, filling and tasty too. PS: How delicious is fetta. #drool

    1. Tina says:

      I’m always thinking about my next meal! Glad I’m not alone. 😉

  3. That looks delish! I love Greek salad, adding quinoa sounds yummy. 🙂

    1. Tina says:

      Thanks so much!

  4. Bill says:

    We went to Greece a few years ago and I couldn’t agree with you more about Greek salads. I think I had one every day while I was there. This recipe is a perfect way to make a Greek salad a hearty meal. Great recipe and post, Tina!

    1. Tina says:

      How wonderful you’ve experienced Greece! I just love it there. 🙂

  5. Quinoa is so flexible. I love it as a base in your recipe.

    1. Tina says:

      Thanks!

  6. Delicious! I love both quinoa and greek salad, and I think the usage of tzatziki as dressing is GENIUS 🙂

    1. Tina says:

      Glad you like! 🙂

  7. This sounds like a perfect summer lunch or a great side dish for a backyard bbq! Yum!

    1. Tina says:

      Yum indeed. 🙂

  8. Ashley says:

    Ha! My world totally revolves around food! And I’ve been the same way – I only really recently (like last few months) started to like quinoa and now I keep thinking up all the recipes I want to make! Making up for lost time I guess 🙂 This sounds awesome – I love greek salad anything!

    1. Tina says:

      Haha…yes, I’m making up for lost time too!

  9. Yeah, my world does revolve around food, especially feta!! I simply ADOOOOORE the stuff. Throw some quinoa and fresh produce into the mix and you hae a delicious winner lunch! This looks so good!

    1. Tina says:

      I’m with ya! I think we always have feta cheese in the house.

  10. I’ve gotten really into Greek food lately, and I’ve been experimenting with quinoa….so this quinoa salad is like you read my mind and handed me the perfect recipe to satisfy all my foodie needs! Can’t wait to try it, Tina!

    1. Tina says:

      Cool! I hope you love it. 🙂

  11. marcie says:

    I always have food on my mind, too, Tina — I’m right there with ya! This quinoa salad looks so delicious, especially with that creamy tzatziki sauce on top!

    1. Tina says:

      Thanks Marcie!

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