Try Ina Garten’s Zesty Quinoa Salad Recipe: Garden-Fresh & Fabulous

A burst of fresh flavors dances through this quinoa salad recipe by Ina Garten that promises to make your taste buds sing with delight.

Mediterranean ingredients blend seamlessly in this vibrant dish, creating a symphony of textures and colors.

Each forkful brings a delightful combination of hearty quinoa, crisp vegetables, and zesty herbs.

The salad offers a nutritious and satisfying meal that takes minimal effort to prepare.

Bright lemon and herbs weave through the grains, adding a refreshing brightness to every bite.

Packed with protein and loaded with wholesome ingredients, this salad works perfectly as a light lunch or stunning side dish.

You’ll love how quickly this recipe comes together, making it an ideal go-to meal for busy weekdays or relaxed weekend gatherings.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to experience a salad that turns ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary moments.

Instructions to Make Ina Garten Quinoa Salad Easily

• Quinoa Preparation

Fluffy quinoa forms the hearty base of this vibrant salad. Rinse the grains thoroughly to remove any bitter coating, then cook in a pot until tender and light. Allow the quinoa to rest and cool slightly, creating the perfect foundation for a refreshing meal.

• Veggie Medley

Crisp cucumber, bright bell peppers, zesty onions, and fresh parsley create a colorful blend of textures and flavors. Chop the vegetables into bite-sized pieces that will dance alongside the quinoa, promising a delightful eating experience.

• Zesty Dressing

Craft a tangy dressing that will elevate the entire salad. Combine olive oil with bright lemon juice, a splash of vinegar, and minced garlic. This liquid gold will bind all the ingredients together, creating a harmonious and mouthwatering combination.

• Final Fusion

Gently fold the cooled quinoa into the vegetable mixture. Drizzle the dressing over the top, ensuring every ingredient gets a luxurious coating. Let the salad rest for a few moments, allowing the flavors to mingle and develop a deep, complex taste profile.

• Serving Suggestion

Plate the salad at room temperature or chilled. This versatile dish works perfectly as a light lunch, side dish, or refreshing summer meal that celebrates fresh ingredients and simple cooking techniques.

How to Change Up Ina Garten Quinoa Salad

• Swap traditional white quinoa for nutrient-rich red or black quinoa varieties to add exciting color and slightly different textures to your salad.
• Enhance the protein content by adding grilled chicken, tofu, or hard-boiled eggs for a more substantial and filling meal that keeps you energized throughout the day.
• Experiment with seasonal vegetables like roasted corn in summer, diced butternut squash in fall, or fresh spring asparagus to keep the salad interesting and connected to current produce availability.
• Kick the flavor profile up a notch by incorporating fresh herbs like mint or cilantro, or sprinkle in some za'atar, sumac, or red pepper flakes for an unexpected Mediterranean or Middle Eastern twist that transforms the basic recipe into something extraordinary.

Serving Styles for Ina Garten Quinoa Salad

• Pair with Protein Powerhouse: Top the quinoa salad with grilled chicken, seared salmon, or crispy tofu for a complete and satisfying meal that boosts protein intake.
• Create Mediterranean Mezze Platter: Serve alongside hummus, tzatziki, olives, and warm pita bread to transform the salad into a vibrant, colorful spread perfect for sharing.
• Elevate Lunch Box Appeal: Pack this salad in a sealed container for a refreshing and nutritious work or school lunch that stays delicious and crisp throughout the day.
• Weekend Picnic Star: Bring this quinoa salad to outdoor gatherings, potlucks, or park picnics as a crowd-pleasing dish that travels well and tastes great at room temperature.

Storage Guidance for Ina Garten Quinoa Salad

• Store Smartly: Transfer leftover salad to an airtight container, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Chill and Maintain: Keep the quinoa salad cold to preserve its crisp vegetable texture and prevent bacterial growth.
• Refresh Before Serving: Gently stir the salad and add a splash of lemon juice or olive oil to revive its vibrant flavors when ready to eat.
• Freeze with Caution: Best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze the salad for up to 1 month, understanding that cucumber and parsley might slightly change in texture upon thawing.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients You’ll Need for Ina Garten Quinoa Salad

• Quinoa: Nutrient-dense protein powerhouse with delicate, nutty flavor, choose organic and pre-rinsed for easier preparation.
• Water: Essential for cooking quinoa, use filtered water for best taste and clarity.

• Chickpeas, Cucumber, Bell Pepper: Crisp, colorful blend adding texture and freshness, select vibrant, firm vegetables without blemishes.
• Red Onion: Sharp, zesty accent that elevates overall salad complexity, choose firm bulbs with smooth skin.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb providing herbal notes and visual appeal, pick vibrant green leaves without wilting.

• Olive Oil: Smooth, rich base that binds ingredients, select extra virgin for robust flavor profile.
• Lemon Juice: Tangy acidic element bringing brightness and balance, use fresh-squeezed for maximum zest.
• White Vinegar: Subtle sharpness enhancing dressing complexity, opt for high-quality white wine vinegar.
• Garlic: Pungent flavor enhancer, choose firm cloves without sprouting.
• Salt: Flavor amplifier, use sea salt or kosher salt for better mineral content.
• Black Pepper: Warm, spicy undertone adding depth, freshly ground provides superior taste.

Equipment Essentials for Ina Garten Quinoa Salad

• Medium Saucepan: Perfect for cooking quinoa evenly and trapping steam.
• Large Bowl: Essential for mixing vegetables and combining salad ingredients.
• Small Bowl: Ideal for whisking together dressing components.
• Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure quinoa and water.
• Whisk: Key tool for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Cutting Board: Necessary for chopping vegetables like cucumber and parsley.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise vegetable preparation.

Vibrant Ina Garten Quinoa Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s quinoa salad blends Mediterranean flavors with fresh ingredients. Crisp vegetables and herbs complement the nutty grain, creating a light and refreshing dish for summer gatherings you will savor.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup uncooked quinoa (rinsed in a fine-mesh colander)
• 2 cups water
• 1 can (15 oz | 425 g) chickpeas (rinsed and drained, or 1 ½ cups cooked)
• 1 medium cucumber (seeded and chopped)
• 1 medium red bell pepper (chopped)
• ¾ cup chopped red onion (from 1 small red onion)
• 1 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley (from 1 large bunch)
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup lemon juice (from 2 to 3 lemons)
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic (pressed or minced)
• ½ tsp sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste, starting with ¼ tsp)

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Instructions

1. Quinoa Preparation: Rinse quinoa meticulously, then combine with water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15-17 minutes until liquid is absorbed and grains appear translucent.
2. Vegetable Composition: Simultaneously dice cucumber into uniform cubes, slice bell peppers, finely chop red onion and parsley. Drain and rinse chickpeas thoroughly to eliminate excess sodium, creating a crisp, fresh vegetable ensemble.
3. Dressing Creation: Whisk extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, minced garlic, and kosher salt until ingredients form a smooth, emulsified mixture that will enhance the salad’s overall flavor profile.
4. Salad Assembly: Cool quinoa for 5-7 minutes, then gently fold into vegetable mixture. Drizzle prepared dressing over the salad, tossing delicately to ensure even distribution of seasonings and create a harmonious blend of textures and colors.
5. Final Touches: Allow salad to rest at room temperature for 10-12 minutes, enabling flavors to develop and meld. Season with freshly cracked black pepper and additional salt if desired. Serve chilled or at ambient temperature as a refreshing, nutrient-dense culinary creation.

Notes

• Rinse Quinoa Thoroughly: Remove bitter saponin coating by washing under cold water before cooking to ensure clean, pure grain flavor and prevent grassy aftertaste.
• Maintain Precise Water Ratio: Use exact 15 milliliters water per 60 grams quinoa for perfect fluffy texture, avoiding mushy or dry results.
• Cool Quinoa Strategically: Allow 5-7 minute cooling period after cooking to prevent herb wilting and maintain crisp vegetable integrity.
• Balance Dressing Carefully: Whisk ingredients vigorously to create smooth emulsion, ensuring even flavor distribution throughout salad components.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg