Spiced Citrus Quinoa Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-23 · Updated 2026-06-23

A bright and nutritious quinoa salad where the grains imbibe a zesty citrus dressing with warm spices, perfect for a light yet flavorful meal. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (vegan, gluten free), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, orange juice 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
• 2 cups water
• 0.5 cup, fresh orange juice
• 0.25 cup, fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 0.5 tsp ground coriander
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
• 1 medium, diced cucumber
• 0.25 cup, chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 cup toasted sliced almonds

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa with 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 0.5 cup fresh orange juice, 0.25 cup fresh lemon juice, 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp ground cumin, 0.5 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp salt, and 0.5 tsp black pepper until well combined.
3. Step 3: Transfer cooked quinoa to a large bowl and immediately pour over the citrus-spice dressing. Toss gently to allow quinoa to imbibe the flavors while still warm.
4. Step 4: Add 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 diced cucumber, and 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley to the quinoa. Stir to combine, then sprinkle 0.25 cup toasted sliced almonds on top before serving chilled or at room temperature.