Baxter Health-Inspired Vegetable Quinoa Salad
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 salads (gluten free, vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs rinsed quinoa, water, medium, diced 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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 4: Fluff cooled quinoa with a fork and add to the vegetables. Pour lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Step 5: If desired, sprinkle 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese on top before serving chilled or at room temperature.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baxter Health-Inspired Vegetable Quinoa Salad 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 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 rinsed quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baxter Health-Inspired Vegetable 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 Baxter Health-Inspired Vegetable 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.
Is Baxter Health-Inspired Vegetable Quinoa Salad gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free, vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
