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 think I have some quinoa left in my pantry! This is a perfect summer salad Liz!
Pretty sure I could eat the entire serving of this. Love everything in there!
I absolutely adore quinoa and try to incorporate it into my diet as much as possible. This salad sounds so fresh, flavourful and refreshing, Liz! And I don’t see butter or sugar anywhere 😉 (Those are my staples too so I felt the same way you did when I saw the challenge for this week). Great job, lady!
This looks & sounds lovely. I am always looking for new quinoa recipes. Adding this to my list ! Looks beautiful !
We love quinoa and this recipe is wonderful! Great flavors for summer! Mozzarella would also be a wonderful addition.
Basil and sun-dried tomatoes are a must for summer salads!
Perfect dish to be served alongside some grilled chicken and its going on my menu for our next BBQ!Love the flavors you’ve added here!Thanks Liz 🙂
My favorite salad is made with quinoa so I’m really looking forward to making this dish. I already know I’m going to love it.
Love quinoa, and will definitely we trying this ! Great make-over!!
Job well done Liz! I love quinoa, and I’m always looking for new recipes to try. I love the addition of the sun-dried tomatoes. They pack so much flavor for such little bites! Thank you for sharing!
Quinoa with sundried tomatoes looks mouthful and moreish!
Liz, I love all of the flavors you used!! It’s like you personally made it for me! Your picture is also beautiful!
Love the Mediterranean twist on this salad. A great little salad to bring to a picnic as you do not need it to be either cold or hot but also good at room temperature. Happy cooking! BAM
What a wonderful looking salad Liz! Love quinoa and that you used all these great add-ins – especially the sun-dried tomatos and kalamata olives! Definitely sounds like all kinds of goodness going on in this salad.
My niece and sister-in-law have a gluten intolerence and a long list of allergies and it has been a challenging ongoing journey of reading and learning which foods trigger reactions and which foods are acceptable. Thank you for helping to bring more awareness to more people with this post:) Can’t wait to try this with all the great combination of flavors!
I love quinoa salad with balsamic vinegar.
Thus looks great Liz. I love quinoa and your version sounds wonderful with the kalamata olives.
I love everything that went in with your Quinoa specially the sun-dried tomato which I usually put in pasta recipes.
You did really well. I don’t think there’s anyone that wouldn’t eat this (except perhaps your husband?) I love quinoa and it is just a perfect base for a summer’s salad xx
QUinoa is such a delicious ingredient, this looks perfect 😀
Cheers
CCU
Great recipe love the mediterranean twist to this.