Herbed Tea-Infused Quinoa with Lemon Zest
A light, nutrient-rich quinoa bowl infused with fresh herbs and brightened by lemon zest. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 50 minutes pairs rinsed Quinoa, Water, chopped Fresh parsley 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 220 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, rinsed Quinoa
- 2 cups Water
- 1/4 cup, chopped Fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup, chopped Fresh dill
- 1 tbsp Lemon zest
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 tsp Salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa and 1/4 tsp salt. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and the water is absorbed.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp lemon zest. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill.
- Step 3: Fold the herb dressing into the cooked quinoa. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herbed Tea-Infused Quinoa with Lemon Zest take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (30 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 Herbed Tea-Infused Quinoa with Lemon Zest?
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 rinsed quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herbed Tea-Infused Quinoa with Lemon Zest?
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 Herbed Tea-Infused Quinoa with Lemon Zest 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 Herbed Tea-Infused Quinoa with Lemon Zest?
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
- ★★★★★
The flavors in this herbed are incredible.
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to salads dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
