Baxter Health-Inspired Vegetable Quinoa Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-25 · Updated 2026-07-25

A nutrient-dense quinoa salad featuring fresh vegetables and a tangy lemon vinaigrette, perfect for a healthy meal inspired by wellness-focused care. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (gluten free, vegetarian), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, cucumber 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.

Ingredients

• 1 cup, rinsed quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 medium, diced cucumber
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 small, diced red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup, crumbled (optional) feta cheese

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 diced medium cucumber, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 small diced 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 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
4. Step 4: Fluff cooled quinoa with a fork and add to the vegetables. Pour lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine.
5. Step 5: If desired, sprinkle 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese on top before serving chilled or at room temperature.