Low-Sodium Quinoa Salad with Roasted Veggies
A vibrant quinoa salad packed with roasted vegetables, herbs, and a zesty lemon-tahini dressing for a refreshing, low-sodium meal. This mediterranean-inspired salads (low-sodium, vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes pairs (uncooked) quinoa, (red and yellow, diced) bell peppers, medium (diced) zucchini 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 210 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 (uncooked) quinoa
- 2 (red and yellow, diced) bell peppers
- 1 medium (diced) zucchini
- 1 (diced) cucumber
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 (juiced) lemon
- 1 tbsp tahini
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a pot, rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water. Add 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until water is absorbed.
- Step 2: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss 1 cup diced bell peppers, 1 cup diced zucchini, and 1 cup diced cucumber with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
- Step 3: In a bowl, whisk 1 tbsp tahini, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to create a creamy dressing.
- Step 4: Fold the roasted vegetables into the cooked quinoa and pour the dressing over the mixture. Toss to combine and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Low-Sodium Quinoa Salad with Roasted Veggies take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (30 min prep + 25 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 Low-Sodium Quinoa Salad with Roasted Veggies?
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 (uncooked) quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Low-Sodium Quinoa Salad with Roasted Veggies?
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 Low-Sodium Quinoa Salad with Roasted Veggies 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 Low-Sodium Quinoa Salad with Roasted Veggies low-sodium?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low-sodium, 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
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.