Description
This Greek Salmon Quinoa Salad is a vibrant and nutritious dish combining perfectly baked salmon with fluffy quinoa and fresh Mediterranean vegetables. Tossed with tangy lemon juice, olives, and crumbled feta, it’s a deliciously healthy meal that’s ready in just 35 minutes, perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 2 fillets of salmon (about 6 ounces each)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Salt and pepper to taste
Quinoa Salad
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for the salmon.
- Prepare and Bake Salmon: Lightly season the salmon fillets with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place them on the lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
- Cook Quinoa: While the salmon bakes, rinse 1 cup of quinoa under cold running water to remove bitterness. Combine rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer covered for about 15 minutes until all water is absorbed and quinoa is tender.
- Prepare Salad Vegetables: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, sliced Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Toss Salad Dressing: Drizzle the salad with the juice of one lemon and the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Gently toss everything together to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Flake and Add Salmon: Once salmon is cooked and slightly cooled, flake it into bite-sized pieces and fold it into the quinoa salad just before serving.
Notes
- For best salmon texture, avoid overbaking—check for flakiness at 12 minutes.
- Rinsing quinoa prevents a bitter taste.
- This salad can be served warm or chilled, making it versatile for any season.
- Substitute the feta with a vegan cheese alternative for a dairy-free option.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best dressing flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
