Memorial Park-Inspired Wild Greens and Quinoa Salad
A vibrant salad of wild greens, nutty quinoa, and fresh herbs inspired by the natural landscapes of Memorial Park in Houston. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 25 minutes pairs quinoa, water, cherry tomatoes, halved 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 320 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
- 3/4 cup quinoa
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 4 cups mixed wild greens (arugula, dandelion, watercress)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/3 cup toasted pecans, chopped
- 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 3/4 cup quinoa under cold water, then combine with 1 1/2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Step 2: In a large salad bowl, combine 4 cups mixed wild greens, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 4: Add the cooled quinoa to the salad bowl along with 1/3 cup toasted chopped pecans and 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese.
- Step 5: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Serve immediately or chill for 20 minutes to meld flavors.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Memorial Park-Inspired Wild Greens and 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 Memorial Park-Inspired Wild Greens and 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 Memorial Park-Inspired Wild Greens and 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 Memorial Park-Inspired Wild Greens and 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 Memorial Park-Inspired Wild Greens and 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.
