Cilantro-Lime Quinoa Salad with Multilingual Inspired Flavors

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

A fresh and vibrant quinoa salad tossed with cilantro, lime, and colorful vegetables. This Italian recipe (vegetarian, gluten free), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs quinoa, rinsed, water, fresh cilantro, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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 Latin American cuisine 220 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: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup rinsed quinoa and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
  2. Step 2: Remove quinoa from heat and fluff with a fork. Let cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
  4. Step 4: Add the cooled quinoa, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, and 3 thinly sliced green onions to the bowl. Toss gently to combine and evenly coat all ingredients with the dressing.
  5. Step 5: Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes to meld flavors before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cilantro-Lime Quinoa Salad with Multilingual Inspired Flavors 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 Cilantro-Lime Quinoa Salad with Multilingual Inspired Flavors?

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, rinsed from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cilantro-Lime Quinoa Salad with Multilingual Inspired Flavors?

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 Cilantro-Lime Quinoa Salad with Multilingual Inspired Flavors 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 Cilantro-Lime Quinoa Salad with Multilingual Inspired Flavors 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes