True Essence Lemon-Herb Quinoa Salad
A vibrant, nutrient-dense salad celebrating authenticity through fresh herbs, lemon, and fluffy quinoa—true to wholesome eating principles. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegan) ready in about 35 minutes pairs rinsed quinoa, water, diced into 1/2-inch cubes 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 320 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, diced into 1/2-inch cubes cucumber
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh mint
- 2, juiced and zested lemon
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a saucepan, add 1 cup rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy; let cool uncovered for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, 1 diced cucumber, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, and 1/4 cup diced red onion.
- Step 3: Whisk together 2 lemon juices, 2 lemon zests, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to form a dressing.
- Step 4: Pour dressing over quinoa mixture, then add 1/4 cup chopped parsley and 2 tbsp chopped mint. Toss gently until evenly coated.
- Step 5: Chill for 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld, then adjust seasoning if needed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does True Essence Lemon-Herb Quinoa Salad 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 True Essence Lemon-Herb 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 rinsed quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in True Essence Lemon-Herb 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 True Essence Lemon-Herb 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 True Essence Lemon-Herb 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
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
