Sunlight Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A refreshing quinoa salad bursting with vibrant colors and a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 35 minutes pairs uncooked Quinoa, diced Cucumber, halved Cherry tomatoes 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 300 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.

★ 3.6 (14 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 300 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook 1 cup quinoa according to package instructions. While cooking, dice 1 cucumber, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, and finely chop 1/2 cup red onion.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. Toss with 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp chopped dill, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese over the salad. Garnish with additional lemon zest and serve chilled.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sunlight Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette 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 Sunlight Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette?

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 uncooked quinoa from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sunlight Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette?

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 Sunlight Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette 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 Sunlight Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette?

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.

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