Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Olives, Basil and Sun-dried Tomatoes

This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Olives, Basil, and Sun-dried Tomatoes is perfect for a picnic, side dish, or even a marvelous vegetarian entree! You’ll love this combination of Mediterranean flavors!

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Could I make something without butter or sugar or flour? Those are my staples. The challenge was on. I love using quinoa as a substitute for other grains. A complete protein, quinoa packs more powerful nutritional benefits than ordinary white rice, barley, and pasta.

Impressed with how this Quinoa Risotto with White Beans and Roasted Brassica used quinoa to make a dreamy risotto, I decided to make a loaded Mediterranean Quinoa Salad. All I’d do is substitute orzo with quinoa in an old favorite pasta salad recipe!

A Twist on a Favorite Pasta Salad

I took a favorite picnic salad, Orzo with Everything, and tweaked it to make it gluten-free. I’d eaten a delightful quinoa salad at a recent luncheon and turned to this super-grain of the Andes as a substitution for the orzo. I found a certified gluten-free organic pearl quinoa at Whole Foods. Note that quinoa is naturally gluten-free, but is often cross-contaminated during processing. Make sure to check your label carefully.

Adding flavorful ingredients such as kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan and basil along with a simple dressing of balsamic vinegar and olive oil, gave a powerful flavor punch to this exotic grain. I added artichoke hearts to this batch and am dreaming of a version with bocconcini (mini fresh mozzarella balls). But no matter, it was sublime just the way I made it. Be sure to give quinoa, and this amazing Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, a shot.

You May Also Like:

• Slow Cooker Lentil and Quinoa Chili from Aggie’s Kitchen
• Blueberry Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette from Foodness Gracious
• Crockpot Chicken Veggie Quinoa Soup from Chelsea’s Messy Apron
• Fruit and Nut Quinoa Salad
• Caribbean Salmon Quinoa Salad 
• Quinoa Tabbouleh Recipe 
• More Healthy Recipes

Helpful Tools

• Easy-Clean Garlic Press (affiliate links)
•  Henckels Kitchen Shears
• Wusthof Classic 6-inch Wave Knife
• OXO Non-Slip Cutting Board

Continue to Content

Print

The Recipe:

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Olives, Basil and Sun-dried Tomatoes

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Yield 6 servings

A Quinoa Salad with a Mediterranean twist!

Ingredients

• 1-1 1/2 cups quinoa (use a certified gluten-free brand)
• 3 cups vegetable or chicken stock, optional, to cook quinoa
• 1/3 cup (packed) chopped drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup chopped Kalamata olives
• 1/2 cup artichoke heart quarters (marinated)
• 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced

Instructions

1. Cook quinoa in a pot of boiling salted water (or chicken stock) as directed on the package (mine suggested twice as much liquid as quinoa). Drain well.
2. Place in a large bowl.
3. Add sun-dried tomatoes, oil, vinegar, and olives and toss to blend. Let stand until cool.
4. Mix pine nuts, chopped basil, Parmesan, and garlic into orzo mixture.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 332Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 280mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 5gSugar: 5gProtein: 10g

HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest