Easy Recipe: Quinoa Salad With Fresh Herbs and Feta, Perfect for Your Next Summer BBQ

Bring this delicious quinoa salad to your next party, plus add your own twist with whatever is on hand!
This easy recipe for quinoa salad is packed with fresh herbs, feta cheese, and is the perfect vegetarian side dish for your next summer event! Fresh quinoa salad recipe with feta cheese, cucumber, red onion, lemon salad dressing, fresh herbs.

As the weather (finally) starts to warm up here in the PNW, few things sound more delicious than a refreshing salad. But, of course, I like my salads to have a bit more to offer, so today we’re sharing the ultimate easy recipe: quinoa salad with fresh herbs and feta! It’s perfect for summer gatherings. This quinoa salad recipe makes a great side, a substantial vegetarian main dish, and it accompanies any summer BBQ spread flawlessly. A win-win situation, all around.

This easy recipe for quinoa salad is packed with fresh herbs, feta cheese, and is the perfect vegetarian side dish for your next summer event! Fresh quinoa salad recipe with feta cheese, cucumber, red onion, lemon salad dressing, fresh herbs.

The best way to make quinoa:

Before we go into the details of this recipe for quinoa salad, let’s breakdown how to cook the best quinoa. There are tons of methods, but this is what consistently works best for us:

As with most grains, the best cooking ratio is 2:1, which means two parts water to one part grain. Typically, this fail-proof method is listed on the packaging. With quinoa specifically, I find the real key to achieving light and fluffy end result is a 1:1 ratio. This gives the grain the right amount of water to achieve the desired outcome without overcooking.

Another way to enhance the flavor is to toast the quinoa a bit before cooking. Toasting adds a nice nutty flavor to your quinoa that really elevates this recipe and others!

This easy recipe for quinoa salad is packed with fresh herbs, feta cheese, and is the perfect vegetarian side dish for your next summer event! Fresh quinoa salad recipe with feta cheese, cucumber, red onion, lemon salad dressing, fresh herbs.

Should I rinse quinoa before cooking it?

The short answer is yes. To be more specific, the grains are coated in a protective coating called Saponins. Saponins are mildly toxic and can lead to stomach aches and digestive discomforts. While they are great at repelling birds from eating the seeds before they are mature, they aren’t too great for flavor (leaving a bitter taste) and stomach comfort. Always give your quinoa a rinse, even the pre-rinsed stuff.

This easy recipe for quinoa salad is packed with fresh herbs, feta cheese, and is the perfect vegetarian side dish for your next summer event! Fresh quinoa salad recipe with feta cheese, cucumber, red onion, lemon salad dressing, fresh herbs.

How to make a quinoa salad:

I find the best way to make a quinoa salad is to toast the seeds, cook, and then cool the quinoa thoroughly. Next, make the dressing, allowing it to sit and marinate a bit, so the flavors really come together. Once the grains are cooled, toss in the salad components one at a time. I really mean toss here! Avoiding smashing the grains is pretty crucial to a light salad.

If you plan to serve immediately, you can then toss the dressing into the salad and serve. If you’re making ahead, leaving the dressing off until right before serving is essential. An undressed salad will last in the fridge for about 2 days when stored in an airtight container.

This easy recipe for quinoa salad is packed with fresh herbs, feta cheese, and is the perfect vegetarian side dish for your next summer event! Fresh quinoa salad recipe with feta cheese, cucumber, red onion, lemon salad dressing, fresh herbs.

The Perfect Summer Quinoa Salad Recipe

A light and fluffy quinoa salad with chunks of fresh feta cheese, cucumbers, and red onion, finished with mint and parsley and tossed with a light lemon dressing.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 318 kcal

Ingredients
  

Quinoa salad

  • 1 cup quinoa rinsed
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup feta cubed
  • 1 whole English cucumber chopped
  • 1/2 red onion diced
  • 1 15 oz can chickpeas rinsed and dried
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp zaatar seasoning
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped

Salad dressing

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic finely grated using a micro-plane
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (or the juice of one large lemon)
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Roasted Za'atar Chickpeas

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Drain and rinse chickpeas, then pat dry with a paper towel. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and spread the chickpeas out evenly, making sure not to overcrowd. Toss with 1/4 cup of olive oil and sprinkle with the zaatar seasoning.
  • Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the chickpeas are crisp. Allow to cool completely.

Quinoa

  • Using a fine mesh sieve, rinse the quinoa under cool water, making sure to move the grains around with your hands. Strain and dry on a paper towel.
  • In a large saucepan, add the dry quinoa and toast over medium heat until slightly aromatic. About 5 minutes.
  • Add water and salt and bring to a simmer. Cover and turn the heat to low, cooking until most of the water is absorbed and the quinoa is nearly tender. Spread the grains out onto a rimmed baking dish and allow to cool for about 20 minutes.

Lemon Dressing

  • In a jar with a lid, combine the lemon juice, mustard, grated garlic, and olive oil. Shake to combine and pour over salad immediately. You can also whisk the dressing together in a small bowl.

Assembling The Quinoa Salad

  • Once the quinoa is cool, toss in the feta, red onion, parsley, mint, roasted chickpeas, and the dressing. Serve immediately. The salad can be stored for about 2 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 318kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 6gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 384mgPotassium: 181mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 340IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 132mgIron: 3mg
Keyword cucumber, feta cheese, fresh herbs, grain salad, quinoa, Quinoa Salad, salad, Summer Salad
Tried this recipe?Tag @jojotastic on Instagram & tag #jojotastic!
trying to eat healthier? check out this recipe for gluten-free sweet potato quinoa burgers on jojotastic.com

Looking for even more summer recipes? Try this delicious sweet potato and quinoa burger recipe!

This easy recipe for quinoa salad is packed with fresh herbs, feta cheese, and is the perfect vegetarian side dish for your next summer event! Fresh quinoa salad recipe with feta cheese, cucumber, red onion, lemon salad dressing, fresh herbs.
This easy recipe for quinoa salad is packed with fresh herbs, feta cheese, and is the perfect vegetarian side dish for your next summer event! Fresh quinoa salad recipe with feta cheese, cucumber, red onion, lemon salad dressing, fresh herbs.

So what do you think of this easy recipe for quinoa salad? It really is perfect your next last-minute BBQ or summer gathering, or even as an easy weeknight side dish that’s vegetarian. Be sure to let us know if you make a batch!

Photography, recipe and styling by Josh Borden of Wanderlust & Piecrust.

Behind The Blog

Joanna Hawley-McBride is a Pacific Northwest-based social media strategist, content creator, and former textile designer. Joanna is the founder and editor-in-chief of Jojotastic, a lifestyle blog focused on Joanna’s work-in-progress cabin, finding the best pair of underwear through #UnderwearThesis, and empowering women to explore nature — all in her signature unfiltered style. Her work has been featured in Domino, CNBC, and Eating Well.

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