The Most Satisfying Herb-Infused Quinoa Salad
A vibrant, protein-rich salad with roasted quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a zesty lemon-tahini dressing. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegan) ready in about 40 minutes pairs uncooked quinoa, pint, halved cherry tomatoes, medium, diced cucumber 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 250 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 pint, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium, diced cucumber
- 1 small, finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, juiced lemon
- 1 tbsp tahini
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. In a pot, combine quinoa with 1.5 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes until tender and water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp tahini, 1/2 cup crumbled feta, and 1/2 tsp salt. Whisk in 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup diced cucumber, and 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion.
- Step 4: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Most Satisfying Herb-Infused Quinoa Salad take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (25 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 The Most Satisfying Herb-Infused 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 Most Satisfying Herb-Infused 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 Most Satisfying Herb-Infused 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.
Is The Most Satisfying Herb-Infused Quinoa Salad vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
I've tried many salads recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 15-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
