Travel-Inspired Quinoa Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-30 · Updated 2026-07-30

A refreshing quinoa salad featuring vibrant citrus notes and crunchy vegetables, perfect for an energizing meal on the go. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian, gluten free), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, orange juice 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 220 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, rinsed quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup, fresh orange juice
• 2 tbsp, fresh lemon juice
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
• 1 medium, diced cucumber
• 3 stalks, thinly sliced green onions
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until quinoa is tender and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork; let cool to room temperature.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, and 1 tbsp honey until emulsified.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 diced cucumber, 3 thinly sliced green onions, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Pour the citrus vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, mixing again before serving.