Car Rental Quinoa Salad
A refreshing, no-cook salad featuring quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a zesty lemon-tahini dressing. Perfect for a quick, healthy meal. This mediterranean-inspired mediterranean (vegetarian) ready in about 10 minutes pairs cooked quinoa, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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, cooked quinoa
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup, diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup cooked quinoa, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup diced cucumber, 1/4 cup chopped red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Toss to mix.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp tahini, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp ground cumin until smooth.
- Step 3: Pour the dressing over the quinoa salad and toss thoroughly to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Car Rental Quinoa Salad take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 min prep + 0 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 Car Rental 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 cooked quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Car Rental 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 Car Rental 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 Car Rental Quinoa Salad vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
