The Best Summer Quinoa Salad

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · 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 (uncooked) quinoa, (halved) cherry tomatoes, medium (julienned) 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.

★ 4.4 (8 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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.

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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 (uncooked) 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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