Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad: Your New Favorite Healthy Recipe

Say hello to the most refreshing, vibrant, and incredibly easy Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad you’ll ever make. This recipe is a game-changer for anyone looking for a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal. It’s packed with fluffy quinoa, crisp vegetables, and a zesty lemon-herb dressing that ties everything together perfectly. Whether you need a simple lunch, a light dinner, or a standout side dish for your next gathering, this salad is the answer. It’s naturally gluten-free, easily made vegan, and perfect for meal prep.

We designed this Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad recipe to be both delicious and foolproof. Forget complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients; this is all about fresh, simple flavors coming together in a beautiful way. Let’s dive in and make a salad you’ll want to eat all week long.

Why You’ll Love This Zesty Quinoa Salad

There are so many reasons this will become a staple in your kitchen. It’s the perfect combination of flavor, texture, and nutrition.

• Incredibly Fresh Flavor: The combination of fresh lemon juice, parsley, dill, and mint creates a dressing that is bright, zesty, and bursting with freshness.
• Packed with Nutrients: Quinoa is a complete protein, and this salad is loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals from fresh vegetables and herbs.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: This salad holds up beautifully in the refrigerator for days, making it an ideal choice for healthy lunches throughout the week. The flavors even get better as they meld together!
• Highly Versatile: You can easily customize this salad with your favorite vegetables, add a protein like chicken or chickpeas, or toss in some feta cheese for a creamy, salty kick.

Key Ingredients for Success

This recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this delightful salad to life.

For the Salad

• Quinoa: The star of the show! We use white quinoa, but tricolor or red quinoa work just as well.
• English Cucumber: Provides a cool, crisp crunch. We prefer English cucumbers because they have thin skin and fewer seeds.
• Cherry Tomatoes: These add a burst of sweetness and a pop of color.
• Red Onion: Offers a sharp, slightly spicy bite that balances the other flavors.
• Optional Add-ins: Crumbled feta cheese or chickpeas can be added for extra flavor and protein.

For the Lemon Herb Dressing

• Olive Oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed is a must for that bright, zesty taste.
• Fresh Herbs: A combination of fresh parsley, dill, and mint is what makes this salad truly special.
• Garlic: A minced garlic clove adds a savory depth to the dressing.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste, to enhance all the flavors.

How to Make The Perfect Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad

Making this salad is as simple as cooking the quinoa, chopping the veggies, and whisking together the dressing. Follow these easy steps for a perfect result every time.

Step 1: Cook the Quinoa

The foundation of our salad is perfectly fluffy quinoa. First, rinse one cup of quinoa under cold water using a fine-mesh sieve. This removes its natural coating, called saponin, which can taste bitter. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa with two cups of water or vegetable broth. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed. Once cooked, fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool completely. This is a key step to prevent the other ingredients from wilting.

Step 2: Prepare the Lemon Herb Dressing

While the quinoa cools, prepare the vibrant dressing. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped parsley, dill, and mint. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Whisk until the dressing is well combined. You can also shake all the ingredients together in a sealed jar for an even easier method.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

Now for the fun part! In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and finely chopped red onion. Pour the lemon herb dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine everything. If you’re using feta cheese or chickpeas, fold them in now. For the best flavor, let the salad sit for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Expert Tips for the Best Quinoa Salad

• Rinse Your Quinoa: Don’t skip this step! Rinsing removes any bitterness and ensures a clean, nutty flavor.
• Cool the Quinoa Completely: Adding warm quinoa to fresh vegetables will make them lose their crispness. Spread the cooked quinoa on a baking sheet to speed up the cooling process.
• Use Fresh Herbs: While dried herbs can work in a pinch, fresh herbs are essential for the bright, vibrant flavor of this salad.
• Taste and Adjust: Before serving, taste the salad and adjust the seasoning. It might need an extra squeeze of lemon, a pinch of salt, or more herbs.

Delicious Variations and Add-Ins

This Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad is a fantastic base for customization. Here are a few ideas to make it your own:

• Add Protein: Mix in grilled chicken, shrimp, or a can of chickpeas for a more substantial meal. It’s a great companion to our perfectly seared scallops recipe.
• More Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or chopped avocado.
• Switch up the Cheese: Goat cheese or small mozzarella balls would also be delicious.
• Add a Crunch: Toasted nuts like almonds or pistachios can add a wonderful texture.

How to Store Your Quinoa Salad

This salad is perfect for making ahead. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you plan to store it for several days, you might want to keep the dressing separate and toss it just before serving to maintain the crispness of the vegetables. It’s an excellent, healthy alternative to a traditional Southern Macaroni Salad for picnics and lunches.

What to Serve with Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad

This salad is versatile enough to be a main course or a side dish. It pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp. For a complete vegetarian meal, serve it alongside a hearty soup or a wrap. It’s also a fantastic light meal on its own, similar to how you might enjoy a Teriyaki Chicken Bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

Share Your Salad Masterpiece!

We are so excited for you to try this amazing Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad. It’s a recipe that proves healthy eating can be incredibly delicious and satisfying. We hope you love it as much as we do! If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment below and share a photo of your creation on Pinterest! We can’t wait to see it.

Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad Recipe

Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad: Your New Favorite Healthy Recipe

A refreshing and vibrant Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad packed with fluffy quinoa, crisp veggies, and a zesty lemon dressing. This healthy, gluten-free recipe is perfect for meal prep, a light lunch, or a simple side dish.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Lunch, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Mediterranean

Calories: 210

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Salad

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa rinsed
• 2 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1 English cucumber diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• 1/2 red onion finely chopped

For the Lemon Herb Dressing

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice from about 2 lemons
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
• 1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste

Equipment

• 1 Medium saucepan
• 1 Fine-mesh sieve
• 1 Large Mixing Bowl

Instructions

 

1. Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and water/broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool completely.
2. In a small bowl or jar, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, dill, mint, and minced garlic. Whisk or shake until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped red onion. Pour the dressing over the top and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to marry.

Notes

Cooling Tip: To cool the quinoa faster, spread it out in a thin layer on a baking sheet.
Storage: Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Variations: Add 1 cup of chickpeas or 4 oz of crumbled feta cheese for extra protein and flavor.