Cucumber Quinoa Salad with Feta

Erin Alderson

Cucumber Quinoa Salad with Feta- @naturallyella

When cucumbers are in season, it takes everything in my power to not combine them with tomatoes for every salad (like this sumac chickpea salad). Then I remember that I can make a refreshing, beautiful salad without the pop of red. I originally threw this cucumber quinoa salad together with ingredients I happen to have in my mother’s kitchen, while all my belongings were packed up on a truck headed to California. It’s a rough approximation that has changed over the years, primarily swapping balsamic for a lighter, crisper champagne vinegar. If you’re looking to make this salad ahead of time, wait to combine the cucumbers with the spinach until right before serving.

3 reviews

Cucumber Quinoa Salad with Feta

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Preparation 5 mins 2017-07-27T00:05:00+00:00 Cook Time 15 mins 2017-07-27T00:15:00+00:00 Serves 2 servings     adjust servings Calories 341 kcal

An easy and fresh summer quinoa salad using cucumbers, spinach, and a tangy dressing. 

Ingredients

  • 1 medium cucumber 1/2" diced
  • 4 scallions minced
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 2 ounces feta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon champagne vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups chopped baby spinach

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the diced cucumber, scallion, quinoa, and feta.
  2. In a jar with a lid, shake together olive oil, vinegar, and salt. Pour over quinoa, mix well, and let sit until ready to serve.
  3. Toss with spinach just before serving.

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Recipe Notes

Recipe Notes

Tips & Tricks: If the cucumber has a tough skin, be sure to peel it before using. Also, this recipe is best with fresh, crisp cucumbers as they really provide the texture. 

Stock up: get the pantry ingredients you will need: quinoa, cucumbers, parsley

Nutrition: see the information.

 

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
Amount Per ServingAs Served
Calories 341 kcal Calories from fat
% Daily Value

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:

Calories2000
Total FatLess than65g
Sat FatLess than25g
CholesterolLess than300mg
SodiumLess than2,400mg
Total Carbohydrate300g
Dietary Fiber25g

Step by Step

Cucumber Quinoa Salad

variations

I originally made this salad without the addition of the spinach but the salad felt a little lacking. You could easily add a variety of summer produce to this salad or a handful of herbs. Make the quinoa ahead of time for quick assembly.

Grains: I primarily used quinoa for it’s quick cooking but I also love this salad with a chewier sorghum or the flavor of buckwheat. If you’re not looking to have this salad be gluten-free, use freekeh or bulgur.

Greens: Spinach isn’t always in season with cucumbers, so try using a heartier green like kale or even chard.

Vegan: Swap out the feta for tofu- you can make a mock feta.

Explore Cucumbers

cucumbers

July is my favorite time to let cucumbers really shine. Most of the time I usually toss them in my salads as a secondary thought but as evident with this cucumber quinoa salad, they can be the star. There’s usually a few different varieties at the market. I love the slightly sweet Persian cucumbers.

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Cucumber Satay Crunch
Bread and Butter Pickles

Cucumber Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Feta | @naturallyella

Originally Posted on May 6th, 2013. Last updated on July 3rd, 2016.

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