there’s something about mediterranean flavors that always hits the spot—fresh herbs, juicy tomatoes, briny olives, creamy feta, and that perfect citrusy bite from a lemony dressing.
this healthy greek quinoa salad brings all of that together in one vibrant bowl.
it’s light yet satisfying, loaded with flavor, and easy to prep in advance for busy days. and yes—this is the exact salad i ate every single day during my stay in crete. no regrets.

the taste & texture
this salad is all about contrast. fluffy quinoa acts as the perfect base, soaking up the bold lemon oregano vinaigrette.
you get juicy bursts from cherry tomatoes, crunch from cucumber and red onion, the richness of kalamata olives, and that creamy tang from crumbled feta.
chopped dill and parsley brighten every bite. it’s refreshing, savory, zippy, and incredibly balanced.
each forkful feels like summer on the mediterranean coast.
inspired by crete
while visiting crete, the hotel i stayed at served a greek salad at nearly every meal—sometimes with lentils, sometimes with chickpeas, and often with quinoa.
i couldn’t get enough. it was simple, fresh, and deeply satisfying.
this recipe is my take on that daily ritual: a nod to the traditional greek salad, but with a plant-forward twist using quinoa to make it more filling and protein-rich.

the lemon oregano vinaigrette
this is where the magic happens. it’s a bold, tangy, herbaceous dressing made with fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic and oregano.
the oregano brings that classic greek flavor, while the lemon and vinegar cut through the richness of the feta and olives.
it’s the kind of dressing you’ll want to drizzle over everything.
how to make it
to make this greek quinoa salad, here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 cups cooked quinoa (cooled)
- cherry tomatoes
- cucumber
- red onion
- kalamata olives
- vegan or regular feta
- fresh dill and parsley
- lemon oregano vinaigrette (olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, vinegar, salt & pepper)
just mix everything together in a big bowl, pour the vinaigrette over top, and toss until everything is well coated. it tastes even better after sitting for 30 minutes in the fridge.
how to make it vegan
this recipe is naturally vegetarian and easy to make fully vegan.
just swap in your favorite dairy-free feta (i love violife or follow your heart). everything else is plant-based and packed with nutrients.
substitutions & add-ins
want to mix it up? here are some ideas:
- swap the quinoa for cooked lentils, orzo, or couscous
- use basil or mint in place of dill or parsley
- add chickpeas or grilled tofu for extra protein
- throw in avocado or artichoke hearts for a creamy twist
- skip the feta entirely if you want it lighter

storage tips
this salad keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
it’s perfect for meal prep—just store the vinaigrette separately if you want the veggies to stay ultra crisp.
or dress it all at once and enjoy how the flavors meld over time.
if you like Healthy Greek Quinoa Salad (Meal Prep Friendly!), you’ll also love these other recipes of mine!
Healthy Herby White Bean and Olive Salad Dip (Perfect With Chips!)
High Protein Low Carb Cottage Cheese Breadsticks (Easy Blender Recipe!)
Homemade Whole Wheat Pita With Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Veggie-Packed Protein Snacking Biscuits
Healthy and Delicious Sweet Potato Nacho Salad
Spicy & Creamy Chickpea Buffalo Salad Stuffed Cucumbers (Plant-Based!)
Cheesy Everything But the Bagel Quinoa Flourless “Breadsticks”
Meal Prep Healthy Seed Bread (Plant-Based + Gluten-Free)
High Protein Plant-Based Snacking Salad
Delicious and Nutrient-Rich: Antioxidant-Packed Hummus
Plant-Based Protein Chickpea Salad Wraps (Dairy-Free & Delicious!)

are you going to make my Healthy Greek Quinoa Salad (Meal Prep Friendly!)?!
if you make one of my recipes, i would LOVE to see your creation! be sure to leave a review in the comments section, it is so appreciated and helps my small business.
also, you can follow upbeetandkaleingit on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more vegan recipes!
do you want to save this recipe for later!? you can add the recipe to your recipe board on Pinterest!
it brings me so much happiness to see your beautiful recreations on Instagram :). tag me so that i can see and repost your food on my stories!
Healthy Greek Quinoa Salad (Meal Prep Friendly!)
Recipe by Mary5
servings15
minutes260
kcalAPPROXIMATE MACROS per serving:
calories: 260
protein: 6g
carbohydrates: 18g
fiber: 3g
sugar: 2g
fat: 19g
saturated fat: 4g (depends on feta type)
Ingredients
for the salad:
2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 english cucumber, diced
1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
1/2 cup vegan or regular feta cheese, crumbled
2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
for the lemon oregano vinaigrette:
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tbsp)
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, finely grated or minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp sea salt, more to taste
black pepper, to taste
Directions
- make the vinaigrette
whisk or shake together olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, dijon, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper until well combined and emulsified. - assemble the salad
in a large bowl, combine cooked and cooled quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, dill, parsley, and feta. pour the vinaigrette over the top and toss gently to combine. - chill or serve
enjoy immediately, or refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld even more.


