Citrus-Herb Quinoa Salad with Shelled Peas

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-13 · Updated 2026-04-13

A vibrant, protein-packed salad featuring nutty quinoa, sweet peas, and a zesty lemon-dill dressing that's perfect for a light lunch or side dish. This salad recipe (high-protein), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, and fresh peas 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 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Add this recipe to your weekly plan" 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 quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup fresh peas
• 1 lemon
• 3 tbsp fresh dill
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup red onion
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water until water runs clear, then combine with 2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
2. Step 2: While quinoa cooks, zest and juice 1 lemon, finely chop 1/4 cup red onion, and mince 3 tbsp fresh dill. Place in a small bowl.
3. Step 3: Once quinoa is done, fluff with a fork and let cool for 5 minutes. Add 1 cup fresh peas, the lemon zest and juice, and 3 tbsp olive oil to the quinoa, then toss gently with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.