Northern Citrus and Herb Quinoa Salad
A refreshing quinoa salad bursting with citrus segments, fresh herbs, and a light lemon dressing inspired by northern flavors. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 30 minutes pairs rinsed quinoa, water, peeled and chopped grapefruit 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 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, rinsed quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup, peeled and chopped grapefruit segments
- 1 cup, peeled and chopped orange segments
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 3, thinly sliced green onions
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Fluff with a fork and let cool to room temperature.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, 1 cup chopped grapefruit segments, 1 cup chopped orange segments, 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and 3 thinly sliced green onions.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 4: Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Northern Citrus and Herb Quinoa Salad take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Northern Citrus and Herb 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 rinsed quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Northern Citrus and Herb 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 Northern Citrus and Herb 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 Northern Citrus and Herb 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.
