Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad with Fresh Herbs and Lemon

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-25 · Updated 2026-05-25

A refreshing Mediterranean salad featuring fluffy quinoa mixed with parsley, mint, tomatoes, and lemon juice for a light and healthy side or main dish. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian, gluten free), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs quinoa, rinsed, water, fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped 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 quinoa, rinsed
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1 medium cucumber, diced
• 3 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. 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 all water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa with 1 cup finely chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves, 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes, 1 diced medium cucumber, and 3 thinly sliced green onion stalks.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
4. Step 4: Pour the lemon dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Let salad rest for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving chilled or at room temperature.