ISO-Style Quinoa Salad
A vibrant grain salad with a tangy lemon-herb dressing, packed with fresh vegetables and protein for a light, refreshing meal. This mediterranean-inspired salads (mediterranean) ready in about 50 minutes pairs quinoa, pint, halved cherry tomatoes, medium, diced cucumber 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 300 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 pint, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium, diced cucumber
- 1 small, finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup, crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water, then cook in a pot with 2 cups water over medium heat until tender, about 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let cool.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes, 1 medium diced cucumber, and 1 small finely chopped red onion.
- Step 3: Toss the cooked quinoa with the vegetable mixture, then stir in 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese.
- Step 4: In a separate small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper.
- Step 5: Pour the dressing over the salad and mix until evenly coated. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does ISO-Style Quinoa Salad 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 ISO-Style 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 ISO-Style 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 ISO-Style 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.
What goes well with ISO-Style Quinoa Salad?
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
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.