Strawberry Quinoa Salad
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Make this Strawberry Quinoa Salad recipe for a refreshing spring lunch. Mix cooked quinoa with chopped strawberries, cucumber, fresh mint and feta for a delicious cold quinoa salad.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Burst of Spring flavors – Each spring I look forward to combining fresh ingredients like strawberries, cucumber and mint. This bright quinoa salad recipe combines all three with salty, savory feta and the crunch of almonds.
- Vegetarian favorite – This meatless salad is a great option for a meat free meal. You could add some tempeh or tofu for even more protein to make it extra filling.
- Great for a party – This salad is so easy to double or even triple if needed. It is a great option for a dinner party or gathering because you can prep it all ahead of time.
Serving Suggestions
Since it’s starting to warm up, I would serve this quinoa salad with all of my favorite grilled proteins, like Grilled Marinated Flank Steak, Marinated Grilled Chicken Thighs, or Grilled Surf and Turf Skewers.
For a meatless option, you could serve some grilled watermelon salad or baked tofu.
Ingredients
- Dry quinoa – I love quinoa because it is packed with fiber and protein. I like to use white quinoa, but you can use any color
- Strawberries – strawberries are the star of the show, and I love pairing them with feta and white balsamic
- Cucumber – you can leave the seeds in or deseed them. Use a thin skinned cucumber so you do not have to peel it
- Feta – I like to use a block of feta in brine and crumble it myself because it is so fresh and creamy
- Sliced almonds – you can use them toasted or raw, whatever you prefer
- Extra virgin olive oil and white balsamic vinegar – I like using white balsamic as a way to mix it up, but you can use regular as well
- Coarse sea salt – if you use Kosher, you may need to add a bit more salt to taste because it is not as concentrated
- Mint – the mint tastes so good to top off this salad
Ingredient Substitutions
If you do not like quinoa, you could also use farro or couscous instead.
There are plenty of ways to customize this salad. In place of the mint, you could use other herbs like parsley or basil. If you want more greens, you could add chopped baby spinach. Red onion could also be a great addition.
For the almonds, you could use walnuts, pecans, or any nut you like! Crumbled goat cheese would also be so good instead of feta. You can really mix up the salad ingredients depending on your taste and what you have on hand.
I kept the dressing simple with just olive oil and vinegar, but you could make this more of a vinaigrette with some dressing ingredients like a bit of honey, fresh lemon juice from lemons, black pepper, and a little dijon mustard.
How to make
Step 1: Prepare quinoa
To begin, prepare quinoa in a pot according to package instructions. Bring to a boil, simmer on the stove, then, cool and fluff with a fork.
Step 2: Chop cucumbers and strawberries
While the quinoa cooks and cools, chop the cucumbers and strawberries and slice the mint. Then, mix together the olive oil and the white balsamic in a small mixing bowl.
Step 3: Mix salad together
Next, pour the cucumbers, strawberries, feta, almonds, mint and vinaigrette over the cooled quinoa. Sprinkle a pinch of salt on top and toss to combine thoroughly.
Finally, serve chilled or at room temperature.
Storage
I find that this quinoa salad recipe is best enjoyed immediately, but it will be good in the fridge for up to 4 days.
If you want to prepare this salad ahead of time, prepare the quinoa and place it in the fridge to chill for up to 24 hours. Then, mix all of the ingredients together just before serving.
Check out these other delicious vegetarian side dish recipes!
- Veggie Couscous Salad
- Mediterranean Orzo Salad
- Easy Greek Salad Recipe
- Slow Roasted Tomato and Burrata Salad
- Kale Quinoa Salad
You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!
Strawberry Quinoa Salad
Make a delicious and refreshing quinoa salad with strawberries, cucumber and feta
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup chopped strawberries
- 1 cup crumbled feta
- 1/2 cup almond slices
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
- Pinch of coarse sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare quinoa according to package instructions. Cool and fluff with a fork.
- While the quinoa cooks and cools, chop the cucumbers and strawberries and slice the mint. Mix together the olive oil and the white balsamic in a small mixing bowl.
- Pour the cucumbers, strawberries, feta, almonds, mint and vinaigrette over the cooled quinoa. Sprinkle a pinch of salt on top and toss to combine thoroughly. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Amanda says
I have been dying for a fresh salad… without the “salad” and this is it! Absolutely delicious. Thank you!
Madeline says
wonderful!! thank you!!
Camille says
I can’t stop making this! I initially threw this together at home to have on-hand to grab for lunch during the week, and loved it so much that I then brought it over to a friend’s house for dinner and made it again this week. It’s been a hit with everyone, and it is so beyond easy to prepare. Love this easy, healthy, fresh recipe – thank you!
Madeline says
Wonderful!! so glad to hear that!
Bonnie says
I loved this! I’m not a big mint or cucumber person, but they were absolutely right for this salad. I can’t wait to eat this again tomorrow!
Madeline says
woo so glad to hear that ! Thank you!
Emily says
Perfect side salad for spring & summer. Put it over arugula with a squeeze of lemon to make a bit more of a “salad”. Delicious.
Madeline says
Wonderful! Thank you!
Caitlin says
This strawberry quinoa salad is DELICIOUS. I made it for the first time today and it will easily become a summer staple and go to easy lunch for work. I swapped walnuts for the almonds because that’s what I had in my pantry. Make this recipe, you won’t regret it!!!
Madeline says
so glad !! thank you!
Kate says
This was so delicious! Really light but also satisfying. Paired with grilled chicken for a meal!
Madeline says
wonderful! sounds great!
Judith F says
This was absolutely delicious! I doubled it and served it as side with flank steak! I will be making this all summer to bring to gatherings!😎
Madeline says
wonderful! thank you so much!!
Nicole says
This is so delicious, make it immediately!!
Madeline says
thank you!!
Frances says
I’ve made this dish twice now. The first time I followed the recipe exactly and loved it. But this, this was the dish where I found out that my husband isn’t a fan of mint… The next time I made it with some basil thrown in instead of the mind, and he loved it. When I make it again I’ll probably split it in half and do it both ways.
Madeline says
amazing!! so glad you could make that swap!
Karen M says
Perfect balance of sweet, tart, crunchy, earthy and creamy! Loved it. Going to make multiple times this summer for lunches and dinners
Madeline says
thanks so much Karen!
Aimee says
I made it today and a added chick peas and subbed vegan feta. This will be my go to lunch all summer! Delicious!
Madeline says
that sounds great! love that it was customizable for you. Thanks Aimee!
Sydney says
This is the perfect spring/summer dish! I’ve made this both with quinoa and also farro when that was all we had. Either way is delicious! We served this as a side to grilled steak but the leftovers were perfect for lunch the next day too.
Madeline says
yum love this paired with steak! and great idea to do farro too. thanks Sydney!
Joelle says
Ive made this recipe twice in 2 weeks! Perfect time of year for it and super easy to throw together for a bbq- pool party or just have on hand in fridge for quick lunch!
Sammi Richer says
This strawberry quinoa salad is delicious and so easy to throw together! Personally, I love making it as a meal prep and eating it all week. It’s gets even tastier as the week goes on and all the flavors marinate together.
Madeline says
yay thank you!
Maria says
I’ve made this recipe at least 6 times and everyone I make it for absolutely loves it! It’s perfect to bring to a BBQ or to meal prep for lunches throughout the week. Sometimes I make it with dill instead of or in addition to the mint.
Madeline says
So glad to hear it! Thanks, Maria!
Nikki S says
So good. I added grilled chicken to it. Will definitely be making this again. Nikki
Madeline says
Awesome! Thanks, Nikki!