A healthy superfood Quinoa Feta Salad packed with garbanzo beans, roasted peppers, onion and feta cheese. Add some grilled chicken or shrimp for the ultimate healthy salad!
I know we’ve only just entered March but this quinoa feta cheese salad isn’t just for good weather and backyard rosé parties. If you’re looking for something healthy and tasty, it checks all of the boxes. You can eat it as I made it or you can add a protein like chicken or shrimp for dinner or lunch. The dressing is a garlic and lemon style vinaigrette with lots of cilantro. It’s also packed with garbanzo beans, feta cheese and crunchy bell peppers. This salad will last for a couple of days at least even after being tossed with the dressing, in fact it actually tastes better once the quinoa takes on all of the flavors!
How to make this easy quinoa feta salad
Quinoa which has been around for thousands of years is now classed as a superfood. It’s packed with protein and low in fat and calories so it’s pretty much the perfect grain to use for healthy side dishes and salads or even soups!
It’s no secret that I really like grain salads and most of them on my blog are results of fridge clean ups believe it or not. There’s not many ways to screw things up using some simple veggies, a little cheese, and some olive oil and lemon or balsamic. This salad is packed with fresh tasting ingredients and loaded with protein, but if you feel like adding some grilled chicken or shrimp, I wouldn’t stop you!
Like this grilled chicken rice bowl or maybe a huge platter of pan-seared scallops with orange mango salsa? or glorious Garlic Shrimp.
Why should I use quinoa?
There are many different forms of quinoa though they all have similar nutritional content. Color is the easiest way to tell the difference. Paler colors of quinoa will have less flavor than the darker versions. I used white quinoa which tastes just fine but you can use any color you like.
It’s an excellent filler grain for salads and power bowls and can easily be made a few days ahead of time. It’s a great idea to make a big pot at the beginning of the week and use it for multiple lunches and dinners! I like to replace rice with quinoa if I can as quinoa has a higher nutrient density than white or brown rice. It only takes minutes to cook quinoa too so it’s quicker and easier than cooking rice.
What’s the best quinoa for you to eat?
With various colors like red, white and even black quinoa to choose from it can get confusing. While all quinoa is a great option to use in cooking, it seems like red is a little bit ahead of the others due to its high antioxidants.
Tips for making this salad!
- Make the quinoa ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you need it.
- Add the dressing gradually and adjust to your taste.
- Use good quality olive oil for the dressing.
- You can use goat cheese in place of the feta cheese.
- Make a double batch and just add a diffrent protein each day for simple lunches.This is one of my favorite summer recipes and I always make it for pot luck parties. Everyone loves it and I always end up being asked for the recipe!Best salad ever!
This post has been updated from 2014.
Healthy Quinoa Salad with Feta Cheese and Mixed Vegetables
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 14 ounces garbanzo beans drained
- 1/2 cup red roasted peppers sliced into thin strips
- 1/4 cup yellow roasted peppers sliced into thin strips
- 3 tbsp thinly sliced onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
For The Dressing
- 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp fred wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp fresh minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 1/3 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Place the quinoa and water in a pot and cook according to the instructions on the pack, about 15 minutes. Let cool in the fridge.
- Make the dressing while the quinoa is cooling.
- Place all of the dressing ingredients in a blender or food processor except for the oil.
- Pulse on high speed until well mixed.
- Slowly drizzle in the olive oil with the machine on high and blend until the dressing starts to emulsify. Set aside.
- Once the quinoa is cool, transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the garbanzo beans, peppers, onion, cilantro and feta.
- Gently toss together then start to add the dressing.
- Once the dressing has been added toss again and transfer to a serving bowl.
- Add some more cilantro or feta to garnish.Serve at once or keep in the fridge until ready to use.
Love this salad for summer picnics and BBQs!
This looks like the perfect summer salad. I love the balance of fresh flavors and the addition of feta! Yum!
This looks amazingly delicious, nutritious and perfect for spring!!
so colorful and fun looking who in the world would not want to sink there teeth or rather fork into it! I mean it screams summertime!
It is indeed summer in Los Angeles (already!). GREG
lovely spring salad! love feta cheese!
Can’t get enough of quinoa! This looks scrumptious.
This is absolutely beautiful and I love the freshness of this salad.
It sounds as though you guys had a wonderful Mother Day. And that bloody Mary looks fantastic (phallic or not). This quinoa salad is exactly the sort of thing I could happily bring to every summer potluck (and then eat half of it myself).
Wow what a Mom’s Day. Fun! I like your comment that you can’t screw up on this kind of a salad. Yay! I am scheduled for a barbeque this Sat. I normally take potato salad, But ya know, I am going to branch out!
So one of the pictures looks like you have added edamame…. Nice addition!
That’s actually another salad Beth, thanks
I love everything about this salad!!! From the quinoa to the roasted red peppers to the feta! must make!
I am so into this salad!!!
I didn’t realize Quinoa had been around that long. But it sure is the grain of the year these days. What works out, its actually good. My first introduction was via a salad and I was hooked. This is another great version of the versatile grain.
This salad is delicious! I just made it for a party tonight. I had a few spoonfuls to check on the taste, and I love the tangy dressing but a little sweetness from the red peppers. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Jess I appreciate it and glad you liked it :)
That is one gorgeous salad! What a fun new twist on the usual-boring quinoa salads! Stunning photos! :)
Thanks Sarah!
I love everything about this salad!!! YUM.
Awesome Kelly!
Loving the tricolor quinoa, I will have to look for it! This is my kind of eating!! Looks delicious.
Do you have any recommended substitute for the red and yellow peppers to make it different?
Hi Maz, maybe try some zucchini or carrots?
thanks everyone!
Are you fricken kidding me?!?!?! I pinned this receipe about two years ago and just made it tonight. What am I stupid?!?!?! I could have been eating this deliciousness every week for that long!!!!! I used fresh bell peppers and mixed with baby spring mix and baby spinach. LOVED IT!!!
I could eat this every day!
Gorgeous salad!!
love the look of this! light and fluffy and feta addition is perfecto
This is my kind of quinoa salad!