Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad with Fresh Herbs and Lemon

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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 salads (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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad with Fresh Herbs and Lemon take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 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 Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad with Fresh Herbs and Lemon?

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, rinsed from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad with Fresh Herbs and Lemon?

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 Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad with Fresh Herbs and Lemon 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 Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad with Fresh Herbs and Lemon vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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