Sardine Quinoa Mediterranean Bowl

A gut-friendly, fiber-rich Mediterranean bowl with sardines and quinoa.

Protein Rich Mediterranean
92%

General Gut Health Match

This score is based on all ingredients included in the food recipe and provides a match score for the general population which is not personalized to your personal profile or gut microbiome test.

Your Microbiome Match

Connect your microbiome test results to see how this recipe matches your personal gut profile.

Microbiome match
🔐
Unlock your personal microbiome match

Log in or create an account to connect your test results and personalize recipe recommendations.

Recipe description

This Sardine Quinoa Mediterranean Bowl pairs protein-packed sardines with quinoa and a bright medley of vegetables. Built for everyday balance, it provides fiber from quinoa and polyphenols from colorful produce. The combination supports gentle digestion and helps nourish diverse gut bacteria, while olive oil and herbs add flavor and healthy fats. Easy to customize with your favorite vegetables, this bowl offers a practical way to enjoy a variety of plants and nutrients in one meal.

June 10, 2026
Sardine Quinoa Mediterranean Bowl
Prep 15 min Cook 20 min Easy

Alignment with Your Personal Profile

Create a free account to see how well this recipe aligns with your diets, allergies, intolerances and selected health topics.

--
Overall
🔒
Unlock your personal recipe match

Create a free account and complete a short profile to replace these placeholders with your personal recipe scores.

✓ Save diets and preferences ✓ Check allergies and intolerances ✓ Match recipes to gut goals ✓ Save better recipe recommendations
Takes about 2 minutes.
2-minute self-check Is a gut microbiome test useful for you? Answer a few quick questions and find out if a microbiome test is actually useful for you. ✔ Takes 2 minutes ✔ Based on your symptoms & lifestyle ✔ Clear yes/no recommendation Check if a test is right for me

Why this recipe fits you

  • Rich in fiber from quinoa and vegetables.
  • Colorful plant foods and olive oil add polyphenols.
  • Balanced with sardine protein, healthy fats, and slow carbs.

Gut Health Score

🌿 Fiber diversity
85
🍇 Polyphenol density
80
🧬 Diversity support
85
🛡️ Inflammation support
85
🫧 Fermentation support
0
⚖️ Blood sugar stability
80

Ingredients

Quinoa
4 serving spoon
Quinoa
Sardine
2 piece
Sardine
Cherry tomatoes
1 cup
Cherry tomatoes
Cucumber
0.5 bowl
Cucumber
Onion, red
0.25 piece
Onion, red
Feta cheese
0.5 cup
Feta cheese
Olive
10 piece
Olive
Oil, olive
2 tablespoon
Oil, olive
Lemon juice
3 teaspoon
Lemon juice

Instructions

1

Rinse the quinoa under cold water and cook according to package instructions.

2

In a bowl, combine diced bell pepper, cucumber, and chopped red onion.

3

Once the quinoa is cooked, let it cool and then mix it with the vegetables.

4

Add the sardines to the quinoa and vegetable mixture.

5

Drizzle olive oil and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the mixture.

6

Garnish with chopped parsley and mix well.

7

Serve the Mediterranean bowl chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition

580 kcal Calories
30 g Protein
62 g Carbohydrates
9 g Fiber
6 g Sugar
32 g Fat
4 g Saturated fat
1.0 g Salt

FAQ

Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes—it's naturally gluten-free if you use plain quinoa and avoid gluten-containing add-ins; watch for cross-contamination.
What nutrients does it provide?
It supplies protein from sardines and quinoa, plus fiber from quinoa and vegetables and healthy fats from olive oil.
Can I make it vegan or vegetarian?
Yes—swap sardines for plant-based protein like chickpeas or beans, and add extra veggies.
How should I store leftovers?
Cool promptly and refrigerate in an airtight container; best eaten within 2–3 days; keep the dressing separate to prevent sogginess.
How can I customize it with more vegetables?
Use any mix of cucumber, tomatoes, bell peppers, spinach, olives, or roasted vegetables; finish with a lemon-olive oil dressing.
What ingredients can replace sardines?
Other oily fish like tuna, salmon, or mackerel; or plant-based proteins like chickpeas or white beans.
Is this suitable for people with seafood allergies?
If you have a fish allergy, omit the sardines or substitute with plant-based protein.
How long does it take to prepare?
About 20–30 minutes from start to finish, including cooking quinoa and assembling the bowl.
Can I meal-prep this bowl?
Yes—cook quinoa and chop vegetables ahead of time; store separately and assemble before serving.

Your Gut Has a Story. Read It — Then Fix Potential Problems

Full microbiome sequencing + Gut Health Index. Metabolic pathways, diversity, keystone species. Personalized plans available (diet, supplements, diary, recipes). EU lab + Maastricht University spin-off + GDPR-safe.

Start My Gut Test