Camera Capture Quinoa Salad
A refreshing, nutrient-packed salad with vibrant cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a zesty lemon dressing, capturing garden-fresh flavors in every bite. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegan) ready in about 30 minutes pairs rinsed quinoa, water, halved cherry tomatoes 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 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup rinsed quinoa and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender.
- Step 2: Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and let cool completely.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
- Step 4: Whisk 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a small bowl to make the dressing.
- Step 5: Add the cooled quinoa to the vegetable mixture, pour dressing over, and toss gently until evenly coated and all ingredients are combined.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Camera Capture 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 Camera Capture 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 Camera Capture 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 Camera Capture 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 Camera Capture Quinoa Salad vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
