Herb-Infused Quinoa Salad with Garden Greens
A vibrant, protein-packed salad featuring fluffy quinoa, fresh garden herbs, and crisp seasonal greens. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs quinoa, cherry tomatoes, 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 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water until water runs clear. Cook in 2 cups water for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Let cool for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Chop 1 cup cherry tomatoes into halves and finely chop 1/4 cup fresh basil and 2 tbsp fresh dill.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, cherry tomatoes, basil, and dill. Whisk 3 tbsp olive oil with 1 tbsp lemon juice, then pour over salad and toss gently until evenly coated.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Infused Quinoa Salad with Garden Greens take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Garden Greens?
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 Garden Greens?
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 Garden Greens 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 Herb-Infused Quinoa Salad with Garden Greens 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
- ★★★★★
My kids even ate it! So flavorful and easy to make.
- ★★★★★
This salad was a hit at my dinner party! The herbs really elevated the quinoa.
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a healthy lunch, and the garden greens were so fresh.