This Mezze Quinoa Salad is what dreams are made of: quinoa, artichokes, roasted red peppers, hearts of palm, olives, and a whole bunch of herbs tossed in a light and simple lemon vinaigrette. It doesn’t get much easier or delicious than this! This grain salad is the perfect healthy lunch or picnic side!
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Recipe updated July 24, 2023
Mezze Quinoa Salad
When I’m craving something healthy, fresh, simple, and crave-worthy…this Mezze Quinoa Salad is what I make.
Truth be told, however, I didn’t exactly start with a recipe for this one. This “recipe” has definitely morphed over time, and it’s now one of my go to meal prep lunches I’ll make on Sundays. I just started adding things from my pantry each time I made a semblance of this recipe, and its transformed in to what it is today: absolutely mouthwatering. Read on to learn how to make it yourself!
What Is Mezze?
me·ze
/ˈmezā/ noun
In the Mediterranean, an appetizer.
(Thanks google).
Or colloquially speaking, the best damn summertime supper (or anytime snack). You know what I’m talking about: it’s a fancy platter filled with the most appetizing nibbles, dips, and spreads. A few things commonly found on a mezze platter include:
- Roasted vegetables
- Pickled items like olives
- Spreads such as hummus, baba ganoush, tzatziki
- Bread or pita
- Cheese such as feta, mozzarella, burrata, or manchego
This salad is my favorite way to enjoy all my favorite mezze things in one place. Add in the protein-packed quinoa, and toss it with a sunny lemon vinaigrette, and you’ll be eating like you’re on the Mediterranean Sea.
How To Make Mezze Quinoa Salad
The thing I love most about it is exactly what I just explained: it’s so versatile.
- Only have rice? Swap it in for the quinoa.
- No artichokes? Nix ’em.
- Don’t like hearts of palm? Add if your favorite veggie.
- Wanting to add some protein? Top with grilled chicken, tofu, or add some garbanzo beans!
The point is, make it your own! Here’s what I put in mine.
Ingredients
- Quinoa
- Artichoke Hearts
- Castelvatrano Olives
- Kalamata Olives
- Hearts of Palm
- Parsley
- A lemony dressing
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine quinoa, artichokes, hearts of palm, roasted red peppers, castelvatrano olives, parsely, and kalamata olives.
For the vinaigrette
- Combine lemon juice, garlic, and shallot in a mason jar. Shake to combine. Add Olive oil, shaking vigorously to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
- Alternatively, add all lemon juice, garlic, and shallot in a food processor and pulse to combine. with motor running, add olive oil slowly to emulsify. Season with salt and pepper.
- Drizzle vinaigrette over salad. Note that you may not need it all (save it for your next salad!).
What To Serve With Mezza Quinoa Salad
A dish like this can be a meal or a component on a larger mezze platter. Here are a few things I would consider serving with this delicious salad:
- Dolmads (rize-stuffed grape leaves)
- Hummus
- Warmed pita bread
- Crunchy veggies like sliced cucumber, peppers, and carrots
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Tzatziki Sauce ( a great recipe is right here!)
- Garlic Dip
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Mezze Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups Cooked quinoa
- 17.5 oz jar Marinated artichokes
- 17.5 oz jar Hearts of Palm sliced
- 12 oz jar roasted red peppers, chopped
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, sliced or chopped
- 8-10 castelvatrano olives pitted and ripped
- 1/4-1/2 cup parsley chopped + additional for garnish
For the vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup olive oil more as needed
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 Tbsp shallot minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine quinoa, artichokes, hearts of palm, roasted red peppers, and kalamata olives. Reserve castelvatranos and parsley.
For the vinaigrette
- Combine lemon juice, garlic, and shallot in a mason jar. Shake to combine. Add Olive oil, shaking vigorously to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
- Conversely, add all lemon juice, garlic, and shallot in a food processor and pulse to combine. with motor running, add olive oil slowly to emulsify. Season with salt and pepper.
- Drizzle vinaigrette over salad. Note that you may not need it all.
Notes
- Marble Slab
- Castelvatrano Olives
- Marinated Artichokes
- Hearts of Palm
- Quinoa