Authentic Provençal Tomato & Herb Quinoa Salad
A sun-drenched Mediterranean salad where heirloom tomatoes and fresh herbs marry with nutty quinoa for a vibrant, protein-packed meal. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 40 minutes pairs quinoa, heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. 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 quinoa
- 2 cups heirloom tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup red onion
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water until water runs clear, then cook with 2 cups water in a saucepan until water evaporates (about 15 minutes), fluff with fork and cool completely.
- Step 2: Dice 2 cups heirloom tomatoes into 1/2-inch cubes, finely chop 1/4 cup fresh basil, and slice 1/4 cup red onion thinly.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp Dijon mustard until emulsified.
- Step 4: Gently fold cooled quinoa, tomatoes, basil, red onion, and 1/2 cup kalamata olives into dressing until evenly coated.
- Step 5: Chill for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then serve at room temperature.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Provençal Tomato & Herb Quinoa Salad take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (25 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 Authentic Provençal Tomato & Herb Quinoa Salad?
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 quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Provençal Tomato & Herb Quinoa Salad?
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 Authentic Provençal Tomato & Herb Quinoa Salad 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 Authentic Provençal Tomato & Herb Quinoa Salad?
Mediterranean salads 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
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 15-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
