No-Sugar-Added Citrus Quinoa Salad with Mint
A refreshing quinoa salad tossed with zesty citrus segments, fresh mint, and a light vinaigrette, perfect as a nutritious side or light lunch. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, orange segments 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 cup, peeled and chopped orange segments
- 1 cup, peeled and chopped grapefruit segments
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh mint leaves
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a rolling boil. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
- Step 2: Remove from heat and let quinoa sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and transfer to a large mixing bowl to cool.
- Step 3: Once quinoa is at room temperature, add 1 cup chopped orange segments, 1 cup chopped grapefruit segments, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 5: Pour the dressing over the quinoa and fruit mixture and toss gently to combine.
- Step 6: Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Frequently asked questions
How long does No-Sugar-Added Citrus Quinoa Salad with Mint 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 No-Sugar-Added Citrus Quinoa Salad with Mint?
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 No-Sugar-Added Citrus Quinoa Salad with Mint?
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 No-Sugar-Added Citrus Quinoa Salad with Mint 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 No-Sugar-Added Citrus Quinoa Salad with Mint?
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.
