Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend: An Easy Greek Salad Inspired Recipe
I love this Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend recipe inspired by one of my favorite dishes, Greek Salad!
This recipe is not only delicious but also healthy and loaded with nutrition.
This Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend recipe has veggies like baby garbanzo beans, cherry tomatoes, fresh parsley, and crunchy kale.
Why You Will Love This Harvest Blend Trader Joe’s Recipe
You will love this harvest blend trader joe’s recipe because it makes an excellent main dish. Additionally, it makes for a fantastic side dish accompanying roast chicken, grilled fish, or baked tofu!
This recipe makes for great leftovers. The flavors meld in the refrigerator overnight and are excellent the next day.
Ingredients and Tips for This Salad
In this recipe, I encourage you to use your favorite combination of veggies. If I use a vegetable you do not care for, omit it or swap it for one you love!
Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend – If you do not have the Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend you can sub for orzo, red quinoa, Israeli couscous, rice, or a combination of grains. If you would like the grains mix to have more flavor, cook in vegetable broth, chicken stock, or broth.
Red Bell Pepper – Any color bell pepper works in this recipe
Red Onion – I prefer red onion, however, sweet onion or shallots would be excellent too
Cucumber – Option to remove the seeds or keep them. Use any cucumber variety you love.
Tomatoes – I use cherry tomatoes in this recipe. Grape tomatoes would work well too
Kale – I use curly kale and cut it in small strips. This is easier to chew and allows the dressing to soften with each bite of greens.
Parsley – Lots of fresh parsley is used in this recipe. Mix it right into the salad but also use it to garnish with beautiful pops of green.
Feta Cheese – I prefer full-fat feta cheese with all it’s salty, tangy, creamy, “crumbilyness”. You could use goat cheese or parmesan if you prefer.
Kalamata Olives – The briny olives are excellent in this dish. Plus, I love the deep purple hue they bring to the dish. Don’t have Kalamata? I also love to use green or black olives.
Optional Ingredients in This Greek Salad Grain Bowl with Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend
Pine nuts or sunflower seeds for a nutty, buttery, crunchy element.
Trader Joe’s Greek Chickpeas with Parsley and Cumin make a flavorful, high protein, and high fiber addition to this dish!
Ingredients and Tips for The Dressing
Greek Yogurt – I use full-fat Greek yogurt for lots of flavor
Olive Oil – Use a quality flavorful olive oil in salad dressing! In this recipe I use Graza Drizzle Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Red Wine Vinegar – If you don’t have red wine vinegar, white balsamic vinegar or white vinegar.
Fresh Lemon Juice – I prefer to use fresh lemon juice in this recipe for citrusy notes. If you don’t have lemon, swap it for more red wine vinegar.
Oregano – I use dried oregano in this dressing. Italian seasoning works well too.
Salt and Pepper – to round out the flavors! I prefer sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Optional Ingredient in This Creamy Greek Inspired Dressing
I sometimes add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
I’ll also include lemon zest when I am feeling zesty. Lemon zest has a lot of flavor.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Cook The Grains
Cook the Trader Joe’s Harvest Grains Salad according to the package instructions. Once cooked, let it cool to room temperature.
Alternatively, you can cook based on my recipe for the best and fluffiest Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend recipe.
Prepare The Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked grains from the Trader Joe’s salad with diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh parsley.
Make The Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the dressing: extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
Combine and Toss
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
Adjust Taste
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or vinegar according to your preference.
Let the salad sit for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serve chilled or at room temperature, garnished with additional parsley if desired.
FAQ (Ask A Dietitian!)
What can I add to Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend?
You can make many variations and varieties of grain bowls using Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend.
Some of my favorite flavor combinations include:
- Southwestern with corn and black beans like my Southwestern Grain Bowls.
- Garlic and Herb with tons of garlic and fresh herbs like mint, parsley, basil, and thyme.
- Autumn Flavors with butternut squash, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds.
What’s in Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend?
Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend contains different grains of Israeli couscous, orzo, baby garbanzo beans, and red quinoa.
Is Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend Good?
Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend is a versatile, delicious, and healthy product! To read my entire review check out my article Is Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend Good? Dietitian Review.
Enjoy This Harvest Blend Trader Joe’s Recipe? Check Out These Delicious Recipes!
Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles Peanut Stir Fry Recipe
Arugula Cottage Cheese Salad with Balsamic Dressing
Greek Salad with Harvest Blend (A Trader Joes Recipe)
Equipment
- small pot or sauce pan
- large bowl
- Small bowl
- measuring cups and spoons
- large spoon or rubber spatula
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups Trader Joe's Harvest Blend or other grain mixture such as quinoa, couscous, farro, orzo, rice
- 1 cup chopped kale
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers
- 1 cup chopped red onion
- 1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
- 8 oz feta cheese
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
Creamy Greek Dressing
- ½ cup Greek Yogurt
- ¼ cup Olive Oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tbsp oregano
- sea salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional toppings Trader Joe's Greek Chickpeas
Instructions
Cook The Grains
- Cook the Trader Joe's Harvest Grains Salad according to the package instructions. Once cooked, let it cool to room temperature.
Prepare The Ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked grains from the Trader Joe's salad with cucumber, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, kale Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and chopped fresh parsley.
Make The Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the dressing: Greek yogurt, olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
Combine and Toss
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated.
Adjust Taste
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or vinegar according to your preference.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature, garnished with additional parsley and fresh squeezed lemon if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Hi, I'm Sarah Harper. I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves to cook, eat, and talk about food! Here at The Addy Bean, you'll discover an array of flexitarian recipes. My mission is to inspire and encourage others to eat and explore the world of plant-based foods!
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