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
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Olives, Basil and Sun-dried Tomatoes
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
- 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.
- Place in a large bowl.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes, oil, vinegar, and olives and toss to blend. Let stand until cool.
- Mix pine nuts, chopped basil, Parmesan, and garlic into orzo mixture.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 332Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 280mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 5gSugar: 5gProtein: 10g
48 Comments on “Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Olives, Basil and Sun-dried Tomatoes”
I love this Italian twist on quinoa! It sounds wonderful!
This sounds fantastic! With all those great ingredients, you’d never feel like you were giving up on flavor. I’d love to try it too!
My mom would love this, even though she’s not a fan of quinoa. This could change her mind I think
I’m making this for lunch tomorrow!
I have a similar quinoa salad with dried tomatoes. I am loving all of these delicious salads!!!!!
Quinoa is great, and I don’t use it enough. I love big salads like this in the summer – they really can be a meal in themselves. Really nice and creative – thanks.
wow this looks great–I may have to make it this week, and I love the idea of tossing in a little mozzarella!
Oh yes that’s a Mediterranean recipe to my liking. Thanks fro sharing Liz, love all the flavors involved here!
I started out eating quinoa hot but have quickly learned that I really love it cold and in salads. Tihs looks wonderful!
This looks great, Liz! Going to have to try this for the little vegan in my house!
This is great, Liz! I adore quinoa, and what a great combination of flavors. I have all the ingredients and look forward to giving this a try!!!!
I cannot WAIT to try this! I am a total quinoa addict!
Love this Mediterranean style quinoa salad. I’m also one who likes a lot of add-ins (it’s the best part!). And I agree that bocconcini would be a fabulous addition.
I will be making this salad!! I have been trying a variety of Quinoa recipes and yours sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing this…. Happy Sunday to you and yours.
I´d be happy with this quinoa salad instead of my usual pasta. The flavors are so perfect! I love mediterranean flavors, and I agree about the ratios. And of course some mozzarella will make it even better. Happy sunday Liz!
I love quinoa so much and I have some leftover sun dried tomatoes from my recipe so I think I need to give this recipe a try this week
I still haven’t tried quinoa but do like everything you have in your salad:@)
I think I’m one of those few who haven’t tried quinoa yet 😛 Wonderful and delicious salad , Lizzy ! The sun-dried tomatoes sounds good in this nutrient-packed dish !
Yay for taking on the challenge, Liz 🙂 I love quinoa and your salad looks amazing. Thank you so much my friend.
Thank you, Liz, for mentioning the bit about checking labels carefully for cross contamination. Sun-dried tomatoes in quinoa looks to be a great idea! Mille fois merci!