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    Home » Salads

    Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas, Kalamata Olives & Mint Recipe

    Published: Jul 12, 2011 · Modified: Mar 30, 2021 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 56 Comments

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    Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas, Kalamata Olives & Mint Recipe

    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.

    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 (think Watermelon Mojito Sorbet). 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.

    QuinoaSaladMint1

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

    QuinoaSaladMint2

    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.

    QuinoaSaladMint3

    Other quinoa salad recipes:

    Quinoa Chickpea Salad
    Black Quinoa Salad with Orange & Cumin Dressing
    Quinoa with Black Beans, Corn with Chipotle Pepper & Lime Dressing

    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
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Cooling Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 5 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:

    • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • ¾ teaspoon honey
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • 4 large mint leaves thinly sliced
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    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!

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Katrina

        July 16, 2011 at 10:04 am

        I'm having the same love affair with this stuff! 😉

        Reply
      2. Skylar

        July 16, 2011 at 9:38 am

        Looks delicious. I love quinoa because it can really go together with anything I can pull out of the garden, it's wonderfully versatile.

        Reply
      3. Aggie

        July 16, 2011 at 9:06 am

        This is great Dara. We (I) love quinoa so much...have to start making more with it! This is a great salad, I like quinoa cold in a salad so much more than warm. This looks delicious!

        Reply
      4. marla

        July 16, 2011 at 7:49 am

        Dara, we love quinoa too. Bet our boat will sink quicker than yours 😉 You combine so many great flavors in this dish. My kids LOVE kalamata olives and all the other ingredients you use here. Gotta bookmark this for sure! xo

        Reply
      5. Maureen

        July 16, 2011 at 12:48 am

        I've gotta make this salad -- it looks so fresh and delicious!

        Reply
      6. melissa@IWasBornToCook

        July 15, 2011 at 8:50 pm

        Looks delicious, and contains some of my favorite ingredients! Yum.

        Reply
      7. Dana

        July 15, 2011 at 2:07 pm

        Dara, this is funny! I just posted a similar recipe on my not-so-foodie blog.
        Yay for summer salads!

        Reply
      8. Roxana GreenGirl

        July 15, 2011 at 8:31 am

        We are getting close to eating quinoa as much as you 🙂 There are so many ways to throw in these delicious nutty seeds. Love the pairing with the mint, perfect for summer.
        Thanks for sharing Dara

        Reply
      9. Sasha (Global Table Adventure)

        July 14, 2011 at 8:29 pm

        I need to get on the quinoa bandwagon again. I fall off occasionally - my mom didn't make it growing up so I often forget about it. I love it though! 🙂 Nice recipe!

        Reply
      10. Kate@Diethood

        July 14, 2011 at 7:42 pm

        I’m just getting into eating more quinoa and this dish sounds amazing! I love the inclusion of chickpeas and mint... delicious!

        Reply
      11. Charissa

        July 14, 2011 at 4:23 pm

        Hey there fellow Canadian!
        This looks amazing...just saying!
        Now I'm super inspired to make a serious quiona salad...thanks for the inspiration!

        Reply
        • Dara (Cookin' Canuck)

          July 14, 2011 at 4:24 pm

          Thanks, Charissa. Where in Canada are you from?

          Reply
      12. The Food Hunter

        July 14, 2011 at 1:21 pm

        this looks great...i've tried quinoa but haven't cooked it myself yet.

        Reply
      13. Tracy

        July 14, 2011 at 12:00 pm

        Oooh, I love the mint in there! I just got a whole bunch of it from my CSA so I will have to make this!!

        Reply
      14. Sally

        July 14, 2011 at 10:54 am

        So pretty (and so are the photos!)

        Reply
      15. kelley

        July 14, 2011 at 8:04 am

        Hey reader, I can tell you that this salad is delicious! I was lucky enough to try it!! Another great recipe and, girl, your photos are something else!

        Reply
      16. wizzythestick

        July 14, 2011 at 7:19 am

        If you're wondering how much quinoa my family eats the answer would be none:-( I've been reading how healthy it is but it's still an impossible item to find in my country-bummer:-(

        Reply
      17. Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum

        July 14, 2011 at 6:09 am

        Awesome! I love that there is mint in this salad - I actually have some mint sitting around right now that it begging to be used in something delicious like this!

        Reply
      18. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com

        July 13, 2011 at 11:22 pm

        Love quinoa! Massive consumption in salads and entrees, and not gonna lie, we ain't missing rice 🙂

        Reply
      19. A Canadian Foodie

        July 13, 2011 at 8:14 pm

        Simple - economical, delicious - nutritious - and absolutely stunning... this is my mantra and you are singing it proud!
        A beautiful summer dish! YUM!
        🙂
        valerie

        Reply
      20. claudia lamascolo/aka pegasuslegend

        July 13, 2011 at 5:40 pm

        This is such a delcious healthy meal I just love chick peas!

        Reply
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