Imbibe-Style Spiced Citrus Quinoa Salad
A bright and nutritious quinoa salad where the grains imbibe a zesty citrus dressing with warm spices, perfect for a light yet flavorful meal. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegan, gluten free) ready in about 25 minutes pairs quinoa, water, fresh orange juice 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
- 2 cups water
- 0.5 cup, fresh orange juice
- 0.25 cup, fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp ground coriander
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
- 1 medium, diced cucumber
- 0.25 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 cup toasted sliced almonds
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa with 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 0.5 cup fresh orange juice, 0.25 cup fresh lemon juice, 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp ground cumin, 0.5 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp salt, and 0.5 tsp black pepper until well combined.
- Step 3: Transfer cooked quinoa to a large bowl and immediately pour over the citrus-spice dressing. Toss gently to allow quinoa to imbibe the flavors while still warm.
- Step 4: Add 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 diced cucumber, and 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley to the quinoa. Stir to combine, then sprinkle 0.25 cup toasted sliced almonds on top before serving chilled or at room temperature.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Imbibe-Style Spiced Citrus Quinoa Salad take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Imbibe-Style Spiced Citrus 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 quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Imbibe-Style Spiced Citrus 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 Imbibe-Style Spiced Citrus 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 Imbibe-Style Spiced Citrus Quinoa Salad vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
