Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas, Kalamata Olives & Mint Recipe (2024)

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Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas, Kalamata Olives & Mint Recipe (1)

If you loaded the amount of quinoa our family eats in one year into a small boat, that vessel would sink to the bottom of the sea faster than you could say "healthy mini grain" five times fast. Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is actually healthy; I didn't just make that up. It is a complete protein source, plus it packs a punch with its fiber and iron content. Not too shabby for a grain that only takes 20 minutes to cook and can be livened up with flavors such as lime and chipotle peppers or cumin and orange. Or serve it as a hot side dish, like Quinoa with Braised Fennel.

With a mint plant that is trying its darnedest to bust out of its pot, we started to use the fragrant leaves in drinks, salads and desserts. In this recipe, it is mixed with protein-rich chickpeas and briny kalamata olives to make a light salad that can be served either as a side dish or vegetarian entree.

The recipe:

In a fine-mesh strainer, rinse quinoa well and drain.

In a medium pot, combine quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then cover and turn heat to low. Cook until all the water is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, fluff the quinoa and transfer to a cookie sheet, spreading the quinoa in a thin layer, to cool.

Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas, Kalamata Olives & Mint Recipe (2)

In a large bowl, mix together cooled quinoa, chickpeas, tomatoes and kalamata olives. Stir well.

Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas, Kalamata Olives & Mint Recipe (3)

For the dressing, whisk together white wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. While whisking constantly, slow pour in olive oil until combined.

Pour the dressing over the quinoa salad, toss to coat and stir in fresh mint. Serve.

Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas, Kalamata Olives & Mint Recipe (4)

Other quinoa salad recipes:

Quinoa Chickpea Salad

Printable Recipe

Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas, Kalamata Olives & Mint Recipe (5)

Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas, Kalamata Olives & Mint

This quinoa salad has all of the flavors of a traditional Greek salad. Perfect for a potluck, picnic or meal prep.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Salads, Side Dishes

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keyword: Meatless Monday

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cooling Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 to 6 Servings as Side Dish

Calories: 480kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 14 ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 ½ cups quartered cherry tomatoes
  • ½ cup pitted and sliced kalamata olives

The Vinaigrette:

Instructions

  • In a fine-mesh strainer, rinse quinoa well and drain.

  • In a medium pot, combine quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then cover and turn heat to low. Cook until all the water is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, fluff the quinoa and transfer to a cookie sheet, spreading the quinoa in a thin layer, to cool.

  • In a large bowl, mix together cooled quinoa, chickpeas, tomatoes and kalamata olives. Stir well.

  • For the dressing, whisk together white wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. While whisking constantly, slow pour in olive oil until combined.

  • Pour the dressing over the quinoa salad, toss to coat and stir in fresh mint. Serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 480kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 576mg | Potassium: 650mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 410IU | Vitamin C: 15.8mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 5.4mg

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

Disclaimer: This post contains links to my Amazon affiliate page. Any revenue made from sales through these links helps to support this blog. Thank you!

Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas, Kalamata Olives & Mint Recipe (6)

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  1. Missy

    Just made this fir dinner and LOVED it! I didn't have any tomatoes but used cucumber instead and it came out great. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas, Kalamata Olives & Mint Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long will quinoa salad last in the fridge? ›

Make ahead: The salad can be made up to 1 day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

How many calories in a Mediterranean quinoa salad with chickpeas? ›

Mediterranean Quinoa Chickpea Salad
  • Serving Size 3/4 cup (175 mL)
  • Calories 189.
  • Fat 11 g.
  • Saturated Fat 2 g.
  • Cholesterol 5 mg.
  • Carbohydrate 18 g.
  • Fibre 3 g.
  • Sugars 4 g.

What to eat quinoa with? ›

Quinoa's got the carbs covered, so you'll likely want to add some additional protein (eggs, lentils, beans, tofu, chicken), a fat (olive oil, nuts, butter, cheese), and, ideally, some kind of fruit or vegetable (broccoli, berries, squash, spinach).

Is it okay to eat quinoa salad everyday? ›

You can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day. You should avoid eating it if you experience stomachache, itchiness or vomiting after consuming it. A study by Harvard Public School of Health has reported that eating a bowl of quinoa daily is healthy and without any side effects.

What to add to quinoa to make it better? ›

I find that some of the best seasonings for quinoa are cumin, dried bay leaf, turmeric, and salt, and black pepper. I also love to flavor it with fresh garlic and herbs such as parsley, dill, and cilantro. You can add the seasonings of your choice into the pot at the same time with the liquid and cook it as directed.

Which is healthier chickpeas or quinoa? ›

In terms of nutrition, chickpea and quinoa pasta offer unique benefits. Chickpea pasta is higher in protein, averaging around 25 grams of protein per serving, while quinoa pasta contains about 15 grams of protein per serving.

What are the benefits of quinoa and chickpeas? ›

The Benefits

Pairing chickpeas with whole grains like quinoa offers a balanced complement of essential amino acids, especially beneficial for those with plant-based diets. What's more? Protein and fibre work together to help promote feelings of fullness, which can aid in weight management.

Why is quinoa salad good for you? ›

Quinoa is a nutritious choice for people looking for plant-based protein sources—it's a complete protein, containing all nine of the essential amino acids. Plus, its dietary fiber may help improve your digestion. Likewise, its fiber and protein content can help make you feel more satiated than other grains.

Does quinoa burn belly fat? ›

It is very healthy due to its plant chemical contents that cause the secretion of appetite-suppressing hormones that curb your appetite. 25. Quinoa: High in protein, quinoa keeps you full with its high levels of plant-based proteins. It decreases your appetite and promotes belly fat decrease.

How to flavor up quinoa? ›

What can I add to quinoa after it's cooked? In addition to more of the spices, salt and pepper, or squeeze of citrus, fresh herbs such as cilantro, basil, and mint work beautifully with this spiced quinoa.

What is the best time to eat quinoa? ›

Quinoa can be consumed anytime – at breakfast, lunch or dinner. But it is best to eat healthy food like quinoa before going to bed. It induces sleep, because it relaxes the muscles, due to its high magnesium and protein content. “One can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day.

Can I eat quinoa after 5 days? ›

When steamed or simmered with water or broth, it expands, taking on a soft, fluffy texture. A rival to rice or barley, quinoa can be cooked in batches as your carb of choice for the week. This way, you can store the cooked quinoa in the fridge for up to five days.

Can you eat quinoa after 7 days? ›

How long does cooked quinoa last in the fridge? With proper storage, the shelf life of quinoa is 5 days in the refrigerator. Always check it when you remove it from the refrigerator and if there are any off smells or visible signs of mold or a milk liquid present, you should discard it.

Can I eat 5 day old quinoa? ›

In an airtight container, cooked quinoa can last safely for 5 to 7 days. Uncooked quinoa also benefits from refrigerated storage; when kept in a tightly sealed container, it can extend its shelf life well beyond its expiration date.

Can you keep quinoa in the fridge for a week? ›

If the temperature in the fridge isn't kept low enough or your container isn't properly sealed, quinoa can easily go bad in less than five days. The most obvious indication that quinoa is spoiled is the smell. In the fridge, it won't smell like much unless it's begun to spoil.

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