Auction Lot Mixed Grain Bowl
A hearty grain bowl featuring quinoa and seasonal vegetables, topped with a zesty lemon-tahini dressing for a nutritious, budget-friendly meal. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian ready in about 25 minutes pairs uncooked quinoa, vegetable broth, halved cherry tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, uncooked quinoa
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
- 1, juiced lemon
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 2 cups vegetable broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 1 cup uncooked quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
- Step 2: While quinoa cooks, whisk together 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp tahini, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and juice of 1 lemon in a small bowl.
- Step 3: Fluff cooked quinoa with a fork, let cool for 5 minutes, then stir in 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, and 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion. Drizzle with lemon-tahini dressing and toss gently to combine.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Auction Lot Mixed Grain Bowl take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Auction Lot Mixed Grain Bowl?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep uncooked quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Auction Lot Mixed Grain Bowl?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Auction Lot Mixed Grain Bowl for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Auction Lot Mixed Grain Bowl?
Mediterranean vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to vegetarian dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★☆☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
