Herb-Infused Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
A refreshing salad featuring garden-fresh herbs, quinoa, and a bright citrus dressing, perfect for Denver summer days. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 40 minutes pairs quinoa, fresh mint, fresh basil 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1/2 cup fresh mint
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1 cucumber
- 1/4 cup red onion
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 fresh lemon
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water until water runs clear. In a saucepan, combine quinoa with 2 cups water and 1/4 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let cool completely.
- Step 2: Finely chop 1/2 cup fresh mint and 1/2 cup fresh basil. Thinly slice 1 cucumber (peeled if desired) and 1/4 cup red onion. Toss with cooled quinoa.
- Step 3: Whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 4: Pour dressing over quinoa mixture and toss gently until evenly coated. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Infused Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette 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 Herb-Infused Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette?
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 Herb-Infused Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette?
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 Herb-Infused Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette 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 Herb-Infused Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette?
Mediterranean 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
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
