Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad
A bright, refreshing quinoa salad tossed with fresh herbs, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Ready in under 30 minutes and perfect for meal prep.
This Mediterranean-inspired salad is one of our most popular recipes for good reason — it’s incredibly versatile and only gets better as it sits in the fridge. The lemon vinaigrette brightens everything up while the fresh herbs add layers of flavor that make this feel anything but boring. For the best results, cook your quinoa properly and spread it on a sheet pan to cool before tossing.
If you enjoy this salad, you will love our Mediterranean quinoa salad with feta and olives, or our quinoa tabbouleh for an even more herb-forward version. For more ideas on building bright, satisfying grain salads, see our best quinoa salads roundup and our quinoa salad dressings guide.
Pro tip: Make a double batch on Sunday and portion it out for easy weekday lunches.
Ingredients
4 servingsInstructions
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Combine the rinsed quinoa and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy.
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Remove from heat and let the quinoa sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and spread on a baking sheet to cool for 10 minutes.
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While the quinoa cools, prepare the dressing by whisking together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
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In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, parsley, and mint.
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Pour the lemon dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
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