Cooked Oat Salad Recipe: Fresh Mediterranean Bowl 2026

This cooked oat salad is proof that a great meal does not need a stove. Made with ready-to-eat cups of cooked oats, it comes together in about five minutes with cherry tomatoes, red onion, black olives, sweet corn and creamy goat cheese, all brought together by a glossy Modena vinaigrette and fresh basil.

It is a refreshing, satisfying bowl that works just as well for a quick dinner as it does for a summer lunch. Pack it in a container for the office or a picnic, or make it in the morning and keep it in the fridge so it is perfectly chilled by noon.

The ingredient list is short and flexible, and everything here is easy to keep on hand. Any component you do not like or do not have can simply be left out or swapped for something else, and the salad will still taste delicious.

Ingredients for Cooked Oat Salad

This makes 4 servings as a main dish.

• 2 cups cooked oats (125 g each)
• 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Modena vinegar
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (150 g)
• 1 small can black olives (50 g)
• Half a red onion (50 g)
• 1 piece goat cheese (80 g)
• 1 small can sweet corn (140 g)
• 3 basil leaves

How to Make Cooked Oat Salad Step by Step

1. Prepare the Cooked Oats

The first thing we are going to do is prepare 2 cups of cooked oats, 125 g each, following the instructions on the package. In the case of these cups, the oats were already ready to eat in salads, so there was no need to heat them in the microwave. We simply opened the cups of oats and set them aside while we prepared the rest of the ingredients.

2. Make the Vinaigrette

Now we are going to make a vinaigrette by mixing in a bowl 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil with 2 tablespoons of Modena vinegar, salt and ground black pepper.

3. Cut the Ingredients

Wash and cut 1 cup of cherry tomatoes and 1 small can of black olives in half. Cut half a red onion into julienne strips and 1 piece of about 80 g of goat cheese into small pieces.

4. Combine the Salad Ingredients

Place the cooked oats in a bowl with 1 small can of drained sweet corn, the cherry tomatoes, the black olives, the red onion and the goat cheese, and mix well.

5. Add Basil and Vinaigrette

Next, add 3 basil leaves, which we will have washed well beforehand, cut into small pieces, and pour in the vinaigrette.

6. Mix Well

Mix well so that all the ingredients are perfectly coated with the vinaigrette.

7. Chill and Serve

Keep the oat salad in the fridge until it is time to serve.

Tips for the Best Cooked Oat Salad

Swap Ingredients Freely

The rest of the ingredients in this oat salad are very simple and the kind of thing we all tend to have at home: cherry tomatoes, red onion, black olives, goat cheese and sweet corn, all dressed with a Modena vinegar vinaigrette and a few fresh basil leaves for a delicious touch of flavor. As always, any ingredient you do not like or do not have available can be removed or replaced with another without any problem.

Serve It Well Chilled

The result of this recipe is a refreshing and very appetizing salad that, served nice and cold from the fridge, is a real delight. It is also perfect to take to the office or on a picnic, or simply to leave ready in the morning and keep in the fridge to enjoy at midday, nicely chilled.

Use Ready-to-Eat Oats

Ready-to-eat cups of cooked oats are the shortcut that makes this salad possible in just five minutes. If your cups need heating, follow the package directions and let the oats cool completely before tossing them with the vinaigrette so the salad stays fresh and the dressing does not wilt the basil.

30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a little bit of everything—cozy comfort classics, tried-and-true dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I'll reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this sophisticated Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

Come breakfast time or when I'm after a lighter bite, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean-inspired spreads, I'll bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. And when the occasion calls for something a touch fancier, this elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is a favorite of mine to serve.

Hearty midday meals and slow, cozy suppers are where these shine: the warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Craving something even more substantial? I'll bake up this hearty Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultimate comfort plate, this French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

When street-food cravings hit or I'm feeding a crowd, out come this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, boldly seasoned Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These fuss-free Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also make a great little appetizer or snack.

And when I'm mixing drinks and planning a whole spread for company, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To tie the whole meal together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing the table with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on three things: simplicity, dependable technique, and serious flavor.

These are the recipes I find myself making over and over—whether it's a fast solo meal or a festive spread for loved ones.

On the sweet side, the rich, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together easily. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled after the beloved Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture really helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

For something light and effortless, I'll typically make the traditional Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. When I want a heartier comfort dish, I'm quick to suggest the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner, this One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes rooted in tradition from all over the world, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's classic Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it delivers great texture without eating up time. My regular lineup includes the Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

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