Yahoo-Inspired Citrus and Herb Quinoa Salad
A refreshing and light quinoa salad tossed with bright citrus, fresh herbs, and crunchy vegetables for a wholesome vegetarian meal. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian ready in about 30 minutes pairs rinsed quinoa, water, large, peeled and segmented orange for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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 large, peeled and segmented orange
- 1 medium, diced cucumber
- 1 small, diced red bell pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh mint leaves
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- 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 water is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork; let cool for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa with 1 large peeled and segmented orange, 1 medium diced cucumber, and 1 small diced red bell pepper.
- Step 3: Add 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro to the bowl. Drizzle 3 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice over the salad.
- Step 4: Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then toss gently to combine all ingredients and distribute dressing evenly. Chill for 20 minutes before serving for flavors to meld.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Yahoo-Inspired Citrus and Herb Quinoa Salad take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Yahoo-Inspired Citrus and 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 Yahoo-Inspired Citrus and 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 Yahoo-Inspired Citrus and 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 Yahoo-Inspired Citrus and Herb Quinoa Salad vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
