Fresh Garden Quinoa Salad with Lemon-Herb Dressing

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-04 · Updated 2026-04-04

A vibrant, nutrient-packed salad featuring fluffy quinoa, crisp vegetables, and a zesty lemon-dill dressing that celebrates seasonal produce. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 40 minutes blends quinoa, vegetable broth, halved cherry tomatoes into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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 vegetable broth
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium, diced cucumber
• 1/4 cup, thinly sliced red onion
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
• 1 tbsp, chopped fresh mint
• 1, zested and juiced lemon
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer until water runs clear, then combine with vegetable broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
2. Step 2: Fluff cooked quinoa with a fork, then spread on a baking sheet to cool completely while preparing the dressing (about 10 minutes).
3. Step 3: Whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, dill, and mint. Drizzle with 3/4 of the dressing and toss gently until evenly coated.
5. Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning, then add remaining dressing as needed. Serve immediately or chill for 1 hour to let flavors meld.