Global Quinoa Salad
A refreshing mix of quinoa, roasted vegetables, and herbs, dressed with a zesty lemon-olive oil vinaigrette. This mediterranean-inspired quick meals (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs uncooked quinoa, olive oil, lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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, uncooked quinoa
- 1 cup, roasted (zucchini, bell peppers, red onion) mixed vegetables
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/4 cup, chopped parsley
- 1 small, thinly sliced red onion
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. Cook in a saucepan with 1.5 cups water over medium heat for 15 minutes until tender, then let cool.
- Step 2: Toss 1 cup roasted mixed vegetables with 1 small red onion, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; set aside.
- Step 3: In a bowl, whisk 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp cumin, and 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Fold into the quinoa and vegetable mixture; serve chilled or at room temperature.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Global Quinoa Salad take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (25 min prep + 20 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 Global 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 uncooked quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Global 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 Global 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 Global 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
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
