• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go Eat Green
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Vegan Mediterranean Salad (Healthy High-Protein Meal)

    Published: Aug 19, 2021 · Modified: Oct 3, 2021 by Marinela


    Jump to Recipe

    Mediterranean quinoa salad is an easy vegan and high-protein meal prep you'll certainly love! Healthy, gluten-free, and meat-free lunch, dinner, or side. You choose!

    Looking for simple and authentic Mediterranean food recipes that taste really good and aren't difficult to make? Need something special but not so complicated?

    Here is the most exciting, vibrant, and hearty quinoa salad that will surely amaze everyone at home or at the next picnic, party, potluck, or any special occasion!

    This Mediterranean salad with quinoa, chickpeas, and lots of veggies is a great option for everyone on a vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free diet. It's suitable for both kids and adults, even picky eaters will adore it!

    I know it will become one of your favorite go-to quinoa recipes.

    Best quinoa salad with vegetables

    High protein vegan Mediterranean salad with quinoa and garbanzo beans with fresh vegetables for lunch or dinner.

    What could be better than a bountiful bowl of fresh protein-packed salad? Don't skip your light and yummy salad ever again, make it today and delight in it with your family and friends.

    This gorgeously vibrant Mediterranean salad mix that bursts with flavor will make you feel good and well-nourished. Whether you want to lose weight and shed some extra pounds or trying to adopt a healthy, well-balanced diet that will help you improve your overall health this veggie salad is just for you.

    Ready for this enjoyable and super filling rainbow salad recipe? Let's make it together!

    What's in a Mediterranean salad

    What does a Mediterranean salad contain? Do I have all the staples to prepare it? I'm sure you already have almost all (if not all) the ingredients to make this bright everyday salad recipe.

    Plant-based, wholesome, raw ingredients for preparing easy side dish or appetizer.

    For the vegan quinoa salad (no cheese, no dairy)

    • Cooked quinoa
    • Cooked chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
    • Avocado
    • Kalamata olives
    • Red onion
    • Cucumber
    • Tomatoes
    • Shishito peppers

    For the Mediterranean quinoa salad dressing

    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • Mustard
    • Lime (juiced)
    • Spices (salt, dry garlic, oregano and ground cumin)

    Time needed: 30 minutes.

    How to prepare vegan Mediterranean salad?

    This shiny colorful salad comes together very quickly, especially if you have cooked the quinoa in advance. It's a brilliant salad idea for busy weeknights or any part of the day. Truly, it will make the cooking time a real pleasure and your life less stressful.

    1. Cook the quinoa and chickpeas

      First, cook the quinoa according to the package instructions. Let it cool completely. My advice is to cook it ahead of time (even the night before), store it in the fridge so it will be nice and cold the day after. In that way, you can easily assemble all the ingredients together in 10 minutes or less. For this recipe, you can use home-cooked or canned chickpeas.

      Cooked quinoa and chickpeas (garbanzo beans)

    2. Chop up the vegetables

      Next, chop up all the vegetables into small pieces.

      Fresh chopped vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, Shishito peppers and avocado) for preparing healthy, plant-based, gluten free salad

    3. Prepare the dressing

      After that, mix all salad dressing ingredients together in a small container or jar.

      Mediterranean quinoa salad dressing

    4. Combine and enjoy

      Finally, in a big bowl combine cooled quinoa, chickpeas, chopped veggies, and salad vinaigrette. Give it a nice toss and enjoy it on its own or serve it as an appetizer, meze, side dish for lunch, or dinner.
      Serve it cold or at room temperature for those Mediterranean flavors to really pop up.
      Store any leftovers in an airtight container, refrigerated for up to 3 days.

      Easy vegan Mediterranean quinoa salad recipe for kids and whole family

    As always, you can find the full recipe with a list of ingredients with measurements in a printable recipe card at the end of this post.

    Chopped rainbow salad recipe (kid-friendly)

    Do you have a kid who refuses to eat his/her daily portion of greens? Need nutritious (yet delicious) back-to-school lunch ideas? This rainbow recipe is the ultimate winner. It abounds with grains, veggies, and legumes that will certainly impress your children and make them feel full and happy. Pack their lunch boxes only with wholesome and nutritious food. Don't forget that healthy habits start at a very early age from the comfort of our homes. So be a loving parent and don't miss the opportunity to set a good example for your child.

    Is this salad mix gluten-free

    Yes, this fresh homemade salad is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, too. It's safe to eat if have any gluten intolerances, coeliac disease, or dairy (cow's milk) allergies. Treat yourself and include this unique combination loaded with Mediterranean flavors in your gluten-free food list so you can enjoy it whenever your want throughout the day.

    Protein-packed, antioxidant-rich gluten-free salad for side dish or meze.
    How to cook fluffy quinoa on the stove?

    Put the quinoa seeds into a fine-mesh strainer and rinse well under running water. Combine quinoa and water in a medium-sized pot. Keep the liquid-grain ratio to 2 cups water with 1 cup quinoa. Bring to boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer, for 10-15 minutes. Remove from the stove and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the quinoa with a fork.

    Is quinoa salad healthy?

    The traditional Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, fiber, and healthy fats. That makes it an amazing choice for people who want to adopt clean eating habits. What makes this recipe for quinoa and garbanzo bean salad even more indulgent is that is packed with plant-based protein and contains no meat in it. It's 100% vegan. Avocado and olive oil are rich in beneficial, healthy fats, and tomato, cucumber, green peppers, and red onion are packed with essential antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. This nutrient-rich salad will boost your immunity, keep off any disease and keep your mind and body young and strong.

    Quinoa health benefits and nutrition facts

    Cooked quinoa

    Quinoa-the world's most popular gluten-free SUPERFOOD. The quinoa seeds are one of the main sources of complete nonanimal protein. In fact, 1 cup of cooked quinoa provides you with 8,14 gr plant protein. In addition, this whole-grain food offers you a large range of amino acids which are crucial for muscle development. Unlike many other grains, it's an outstanding source of lysine that is vital for the synthesis of protein in your body.

    This highly beneficial edible seed with exceptional nutrient-dense content is rich in phosphorus, iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, and folate.

    Thanks to its high-fiber content, this versatile ingredient is with a low glycemic index is also good for your gut. It may also be helpful for improving your metabolic health by boosting your metabolism and help you lose weight when combined with other plant-based foods and daily physical activity.

    Why you'll love this stunning Mediterranean salad with quinoa and chickpeas. It's:

    Light meal prep for side dish, dinner, lunch. Weight-loss friendly dish.
    • Perfect make-ahead salad for a crowd
    • Inexpensive
    • Fancy weekday summer salad
    • Weight-loss friendly
    • Simple go to family salad
    • Perfectly savoury
    • So refreshing and versatile!

    More must-try vegan salad ideas

    • Crunchy cucumber vinegar salad
    • Tasty fruit summer with apricots and strawberries
    • Low-calorie butter lettuce salad
    • Delicate dessert-like strawberry avocado salad
    • Antioxidant power green salad

    📖 Recipe

    Mediterranean quinoa salad with chickpeas and various colorful veggies (cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, avocado and olives) drizzled with simple olive oil-mustard dressing.

    Vegan Mediterranean Salad (Healthy High-Protein Meal)

    Marinela
    Mediterranean quinoa salad is an easy vegan and high-protein meal prep you'll certainly love! Healthy, gluten-free, and meat-free lunch, dinner, or side. You choose!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, dinner, Lunch, Side Dish, vegan
    Cuisine Mediterranean-inspired
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 251 kcal

    Equipment

    • Knife
    • Cutting board
    • Saucepan
    • Big bowl
    • Small container or jar
    • Spoon

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups cooked quinoa
    • 1 cup cooked chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
    • 1 avocado diced
    • ½ cup Kalamata olives pitted, sliced
    • ½ cup red onion diced (approximately 1 small onion)
    • 1 cup fresh cucumber circle sliced (approximately 1 English cucumber)
    • 1 ½ cup tomatoes diced (approximately 2 small-medium sized tomatoes)
    • ½ cup shishito peppers thinly sliced ( approximately 2 shishito peppers)

    For the Mediterranean salad dressing

    • 3 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
    • 1 teaspoon mustard
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed
    • ½ teaspoon salt or adjust it to your taste
    • ¼ teaspoon dry oregano, dry garlic, ground cummin

    Instructions
     

    • First, cook the quinoa according to the package instructions. Let it cool completely. My advice is to cook it ahead of time (even the night before), store it in the fridge so it will be nice and cold the day after. In that way, you can easily assemble all the ingredients together in 10 minutes or less. For this recipe, you can use home-cooked or canned chickpeas.
      Cooked quinoa and chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
    • Next, chop up all the vegetables into small pieces.
      Fresh chopped vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, Shishito peppers and avocado) for preparing healthy, plant-based, gluten free salad
    • After that, mix all salad dressing ingredients together in a small container or jar.
      Mediterranean quinoa salad dressing
    • Finally, in a big bowl combine cooled quinoa, chickpeas, chopped veggies, and salad vinaigrette. Give it a nice toss and enjoy it on its own or serve it as an appetizer, meze, side dish for lunch, or dinner. Serve it cold or at room temperature for those Mediterranean flavors to really pop up.
      Store any leftovers in an airtight container, refrigerated for up to 3 days.
      Easy vegan Mediterranean quinoa salad recipe for kids and whole family

    Notes

    • You can totally adapt this quinoa salad to your taste because it's easily customizable. Add any other veggie you prefer more and leave out any ingredient you don't like.
    • I recommend you cook the quinoa in advance and keep it refrigerated so it will be completely cool before adding the other ingredients.
    • Always serve it cold or at room temperature.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 251kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 5gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 530mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 7gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 431IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword garbanzo bean salad, gluten-free, healthy, high protein meal prep, kid friendly, mediterranean quinoa salad, mediterranean salad with quinoa, plant based, quinoa vegetables salad
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Made this beautiful Mediterranean quinoa salad with raw veggies? If yes, please rate it, leave a comment below, and share your photo on Instagram with the tag @go_eatgreen and hashtag it #go_eatgreen. I would love to hear about your experience and your comments just make my day!

    Follow me on Pinterest for more easy and delicious vegan recipe ideas.

    Love, Marinela💚


    More Salads

    • Fresh Strawberry banana cheesecake salad in a bowl with female hand holding wooden spoon
      Strawberry Banana Cheesecake Dessert Salad For Summer
    • Mediterranean cucumber tomato onion salad with parsley in a bowl with female hands holding a wooden spoon
      Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad For Weight-Loss (Vegan)
    • Fresh winter fruit salad with homemade poppy seed dressing in a glass cup with wooden spoon
      Best Winter Fruit Salad For A Crowd
    • Apple walnut salad with spinach, buckwheat and cranberry in a bowl tossed with homemade vinaigrette in a bowl with wooden spoon
      Best Apple Walnut Salad Recipe (Healthy + Vegan)

    Filed Under: Dinner, Salads, Side dish Tagged With: garbanzo bean salad, gluten-free, healthy, high protein meal prep, kid friendly, mediterranean quinoa salad, mediterranean salad with quinoa, plant based, quinoa vegetables salad

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emily

      August 19, 2021 at 6:34 pm

      5 stars
      This fresh and delicious salad is an instant favorite, thank you for sharing the recipe! It's bursting with flavor and textures, I can't wait to make it again!

      Reply
      • Marinela

        August 20, 2021 at 7:04 pm

        I'm happy to hear that it became one of your favorites Emily. Thank you for your lovely comment.

        Reply
    2. Kayla DiMaggio

      August 19, 2021 at 8:28 pm

      5 stars
      This quinoa salad was so refreshing! I love how healthy I felt eating it!

      Reply
      • Marinela

        August 20, 2021 at 7:03 pm

        Ohh, I'm so glad to hear that Kayla! Thank you for sharing this lovely feedback with us.

        Reply
    3. Lucy

      August 19, 2021 at 9:38 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a quick and easy yet healthy salad, packed full of flavour! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Marinela

        August 20, 2021 at 7:03 pm

        I'm so pleased you loved it, Lucy. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

        Reply
    4. Anaiah

      August 20, 2021 at 1:35 am

      5 stars
      I am loving all of the freshness in this salad and range of nutritious vegetables! It's so delicious and the quinoa helps to make it more filling. I especially loved the kalamata olives and shishito peppers in this!

      Reply
      • Marinela

        August 20, 2021 at 7:00 pm

        I'm so happy to hear that Anaiah, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.

        Reply
    5. Julia

      August 20, 2021 at 9:44 am

      5 stars
      This made such a lovely lunchtime salad and it was easy to take to work in a lunch box. Great taste with the spices and lovely texture from all the vegetables. I'll be making this again.

      Reply
      • Marinela

        August 20, 2021 at 7:02 pm

        I'm so glad you liked this quinoa salad recipe, Julia. Yes, it's easy to store in a lunch box, great for work or traveling. Thanks for your lovely feedback.

        Reply
    6. Choclette

      August 20, 2021 at 10:00 am

      5 stars
      Healthy salads like this are just the best. Fresh, colourful and tasty. Love your addition of quinoa.

      Reply
      • Marinela

        August 20, 2021 at 6:59 pm

        Totally agree with you Choclette, thanks for commenting.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A vegan food blogger, photographer, and recipe developer who is passionate about cooking simple, tasty, and budget-friendly recipes with wholesome God-given ingredients. Welcome to my vegan world! My goal is to share these delicious plant-based recipes with you so you can lead more healthy and happy lives!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Weight loss overnight oats in a jar with raspberries, banana, blueberries, and mint
      Weight Loss Overnight Oats (Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast)
    • Easy vegan scrambled eggs with chickpea flour (no tofu)
      Easy Vegan Scrambled Eggs With Chickpea Flour (No Tofu)
    • Cucumber vinegar salad recipe with red onion and sesame seeds. Easy vegan side dish.
      Cucumber Vinegar Salad Recipe (Weight-Loss Side Dish)
    • Recipe for unleavened bread for Passover Festival. Bible flatbread, homemad and easy to make with red wine and open Bible. No yeast, yeast-free bread.
      3 Ingredient Recipe for Unleavened Bread (Bread Without Yeast)
    • Recipe for peach smoothie without yogurt. Creamy vegan beverage.
      Recipe for Peach Smoothie Without Yogurt or Banana (Vegan)
    • Best recipe for potato latkes without eggs or matzo meal. Easy, gluten-free , vegan pancakes.
      Best Recipe for Potato Latkes (Crispy No Eggs Vegan Pancakes)

    Footer

    ↑ BACK TO TOP

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Meet Marinela

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2023 Go Eat Green