Fresh Herb Quinoa Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing

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

A vibrant, protein-packed salad featuring quinoa, fresh herbs, and a zesty lemon tahini dressing that brings everything together. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber 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 280 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water. In a medium pot, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let cool slightly.
  2. Step 2: Dice 1 medium cucumber into 1/2-inch cubes. Halve 1 pint cherry tomatoes. Chop 1/4 cup fresh parsley and 2 tbsp fresh dill.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, parsley, and dill. Set aside.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk 3 tbsp tahini, 2 tbsp olive oil, juice of 1 lemon, 1 tbsp grated lemon zest, and 1/2 tsp salt until smooth and emulsified.
  5. Step 5: Pour dressing over quinoa mixture. Toss gently until evenly coated. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Fresh Herb Quinoa Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 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 Fresh Herb Quinoa Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing?

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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Fresh Herb Quinoa Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing?

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 Fresh Herb Quinoa Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing 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 Fresh Herb Quinoa Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing 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.

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