Sunlight Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, uncooked Quinoa
- 1, diced Cucumber
- 1 cup, halved Cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, finely chopped Red onion
- 1/2 cup, crumbled Feta cheese
- 1, zested and juiced Lemon
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp, chopped Dill
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 3: Sprinkle 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese over the salad. Garnish with additional lemon zest and serve chilled.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect salads recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better salads dishes though.