Mediterranean-Inspired Quinoa and Chickpea Salad
I love a good quinoa salad and always feel so healthy when I’m eating one. This quinoa salad is easy, ready in 20 minutes, and is chock full of Mediterranean-inspired ingredients including chickpeas, artichoke hearts, black Kalamata olives, and goat cheese. I also added fresh spinach to amp up the green level, red onion for a flavor boost, as well as lemon juice and apple cider vinegar to give the quinoa salad some tangy zest!
Ingredients in Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
This flexible quinoa salad recipe is made with everyday ingredients that you may likely have in your pantry and fridge. To make this naturally gluten-free salad, you need to use:
Olive oil Red onion Quinoa Water Lemon juice Apple cider vinegar Fresh spinach Chickpeas Artichoke hearts Kalamata olives Cardamom Kosher salt Pepper Goat cheese (feta may be substituted)
How to Make Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
This quinoa and chickpea salad comes together in about 20 minutes and is hearty enough to enjoy as a main or as a side dish!
How to Serve Chickpea Quinoa Salad
For me, the salad is great at any temperature. Serve it freshly made and warm, serve it at room temperature, or serve it chilled straight from the refrigerator. Your choice!
Can This Recipe Be Made in Advance?
Yes! This is a great meal prep recipe and keeps very well in the fridge for up to 5 days or you can freeze it for up to 4 months. However, take note that the color and texture of the spinach will change upon thawing, but the taste is just fine. I actually find that this simple flavors marry together and this quinoa salad almost tastes better the second day!
Recipe Variations to Try
As I mentioned above, this is a very flexible recipe. Try or more of the following variations on this easy quinoa salad recipe:
Add in some sliced almonds like I did in this Lemon and Sun-dried Tomato Quinoa Salad. Don’t have a red onion but have white or yellow? Go for it. Leftover homemade chicken or from a store-bought rotisserie chicken would amp up the protein content. If you’re not a fan of olives, and I know they are a hotly contested food, just omit them. I love garbanzo beans and always have a can or more on hand, but another cooked white bean will work.
Is The Cheese Necessary?
No, the goat cheese is not absolutely necessary and if you’re trying to keep this vegetarian salad vegan, then go ahead and omit the cheese. Likewise, you can also substitute another type of cheese for the goat cheese such as crumbled feta cheese or even freshly grated Parmesan would be nice here. For me, cheese of most any flavor or type is always a great idea!
Can I Add Another Protein Source?
Of course! You’re welcome to add cooked shredded chicken or even shrimp to this recipe. Season with your favorite Mediterranean-inspired spice blend and simply mix into the salad.
Tips for the Best Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
All quinoa cooks slightly differently and if during the cooking process your quinoa looks like it needs a bit more water in order to fully soften, feel free to add another one-quarter cup or so. If you want to keep the hunks of goat cheese more intact as shown in the photos, and not have it melt into the quinoa, wait until the quinoa cools a bit before adding the cheese. For the artichokes, I used one 15-ounce can of artichokes packed in water that I rinsed, drained, and quartered. If you have a Trader Joe’s in your area, I recommend their frozen artichoke hearts in a pale yellow bag; thaw and drain them and use about 1 cup. I don’t recommend artichokes packed in oil for this recipe because I think it will make the overall quinoa salad taste greasy
More Easy Quinoa Salad Recipes:
Zesty Lemon and Sun-Dried Tomato Quinoa Salad — Fast, easy, and fresh! Bright flavors and loads of texture! This clean-eating salad keeps you full and satisfied! Healthy never tasted so good!! (No mayo and great for outdoor events or lunch boxes!) Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes!
Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad — Easy and packed with big fall flavors!! Maple syrup, squash, and cranberries were made for each other! Love it when healthy tastes so good!!
Favorite Greens Quinoa Salad – Cucumber, zucchini, basil, and mint tossed with a sweet-and-tangy honey-lemon vinaigrette! Healthy, easy, ready in 15 minutes, and the best way to eat your greens!!
Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Quinoa Salad (GF) — Trying to keep meals healthier and lighter? Make this easy, refreshing and satisfying salad!
Garden Fresh Quinoa Salad – Loaded with everything fresh, light, healthy, and SUMMERY!! Great for parties, potlucks, and lunch boxes because there’s no mayo!
Tabbouleh — Never had it? Think couscous or quinoa mixed with vegetables, herbs, lemon and olive oil! Easy, no cooking required, healthy, and packed with so much flavor! (Great for outdoor events because there’s no mayo!)
