Half-Orange and Quinoa Salad with Almonds
A citrusy salad combining quinoa, half-orange segments, toasted almonds, and a honey-balsamic glaze. This middle eastern-inspired salads ready in about 40 minutes pairs quinoa, half an orange, almonds 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 340 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 half an orange
- 1/3 cup almonds
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa with 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy.
- Step 2: While the quinoa cooks, quarter 1 half an orange and remove the seeds. Separate the segments into halves, then set aside.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme until well combined.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork. Add the orange segments and 1/3 cup roughly chopped almonds. Pour the honey-balsamic glaze over the mixture and toss to coat evenly.
- Step 5: Transfer to a serving dish and top with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan. Garnish with additional thyme and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Orange and Quinoa Salad with Almonds take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (25 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 Half-Orange and Quinoa Salad with Almonds?
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 Half-Orange and Quinoa Salad with Almonds?
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 Half-Orange and Quinoa Salad with Almonds 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.
What goes well with Half-Orange and Quinoa Salad with Almonds?
Middle Eastern salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
