The Best Summer Quinoa Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A refreshing quinoa salad with roasted vegetables, feta, and a zesty lemon-herb dressing for a light, vibrant dish. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 55 minutes pairs quinoa, cherry tomatoes, zucchini 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: 25 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss zucchini with 1 tbsp olive oil and roast for 15-20 minutes until tender.
  2. Step 2: In a pot, rinse quinoa and cook with 2 cups water for 15 minutes, then drain and fluff.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine quinoa, roasted zucchini, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and feta.
  4. Step 4: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, dill, salt, and black pepper. Pour over the salad and toss to coat. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Frequently asked questions

How long does The Best Summer Quinoa Salad take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (25 min prep + 30 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 The Best Summer Quinoa Salad?

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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in The Best Summer Quinoa Salad?

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 The Best Summer Quinoa Salad 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 The Best Summer Quinoa Salad?

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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