Savory Herb-Infused Quinoa Bowl

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-30 · Updated 2026-03-30

This vibrant quinoa bowl, packed with fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs, makes for a nutritious and fulfilling meal any time of the day. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (vegan, gluten-free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs quinoa, water, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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
• 2 cups water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1, diced red bell pepper
• 1, diced cucumber
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/4, finely chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve to remove any bitterness. In a medium pot, combine the rinsed quinoa and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 diced cucumber, and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, sautéed vegetables, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Add 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Toss everything together until well mixed and serve warm or at room temperature.