Citrus-Mint Chilled Quinoa Salad

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-03 · Updated 2026-07-03

A light and invigorating quinoa salad featuring fresh mint and bright citrus to awaken your palate with each bite. This mediterranean-inspired salads (gluten free, vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs quinoa, water, chopped fresh mint leaves 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 220 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 quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1 cup orange segments
• 1/2 cup, diced cucumber
• 2 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp, freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork; let cool completely.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper until emulsified.
3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled quinoa, 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves, 1 cup orange segments, and 1/2 cup diced cucumber. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to evenly coat all ingredients. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving for a refreshing and vibrant flavor.