Fun.com's Gift-Wrapped Quinoa Salad
A layered, jewel-toned salad that mimics a wrapped present, with crisp vegetables and a tangy citrus dressing. 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 380 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
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup cucumber
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup feta cheese
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water, then combine with 2 cups water in a saucepan; bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
- Step 2: Chop 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup cucumber, and 1/2 cup red bell pepper into 1/2-inch cubes; transfer to a large bowl.
- Step 3: Whisk 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp dijon mustard, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill in a small bowl until emulsified.
- Step 4: Fluff cooked quinoa with a fork, then add to the bowl with vegetables; pour dressing over and toss gently until evenly coated, then crumble 1/2 cup feta cheese on top for a 'wrapped' appearance.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Fun.com's Gift-Wrapped Quinoa Salad 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 Fun.com's Gift-Wrapped Quinoa Salad?
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 Fun.com's Gift-Wrapped Quinoa Salad?
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 Fun.com's Gift-Wrapped Quinoa Salad 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 Fun.com's Gift-Wrapped Quinoa Salad 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
