Baxter Health-Inspired Vegetable and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

About the author — is the Test Kitchen Director at AislePrompt, with over a decade of professional kitchen experience spanning recipe development, culinary technique testing, and hands-on evaluation of cooking methods across hundreds of tested dishes. Every recipe in the AislePrompt catalog is cooked at least twice before publication. Full author profile →

A fresh and vibrant salad combining quinoa, seasonal vegetables, and a bright citrus vinaigrette for a healthy and satisfying meal. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian, gluten free), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, cherry tomatoes, halved 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 280 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water and combine with 2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until quinoa is tender and water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and cool.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 diced medium cucumber, 1 diced medium red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
  4. Step 4: Pour the citrus vinaigrette over the quinoa and vegetables and toss gently to combine. Chill for 20 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baxter Health-Inspired Vegetable and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Baxter Health-Inspired Vegetable and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette?

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 Baxter Health-Inspired Vegetable and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette?

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 Baxter Health-Inspired Vegetable and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette 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.

Is Baxter Health-Inspired Vegetable and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes