Quinoa Salad with Lime + Fresh Mint

Quinoa salad with fresh lime and mint.

Fast and fresh quinoa salad with lime and mint.

Quinoa. My new comfort food. Simple, fresh and endlessly adaptable to all kinds of creative additions and tweaks. Make it your own with your favorite garden veggies, fresh herbs and add-ins. To inspire you, here is a very easy, quick summer combo.

Cheers!

Karina xo

Quinoa Salad Recipe with Lime + Fresh Mint

Updated 2025. Recipe posted August 2008 by Karina Allrich.

This cool, refreshing salad (which just so happens to be vegan and naturally gluten-free) reminds me of tabbouleh- a Middle Eastern style pasta dish I used to love. What makes a quinoa salad taste so fabulous? Fresh mint, lime juice and good tasting extra virgin olive oil.

Ingredients:

1 cup uncooked quinoa

2 tablespoons fruity extra virgin olive oil

Juice from 2 limes

2-3 fresh mint sprigs, leaves removed and chopped

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves or parsley

Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

A handful of sweet and ripe cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered

2 tablespoons diced red onion- or use 2 chopped scallions

1 garlic clove, minced

Instructions:

Cook the quinoa in 2 and 1/4 to 2 1/2 cups fresh water, covered, until all of the water is absorbed. Add a small pinch sea salt, if desired. Note: I use my rice cooker to do this. The quinoa turns out fluffy, tender and perfect.

Scoop the cooked quinoa into a bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Toss lightly with a fork until combined.

Taste test and adjust seasonings.

Cover and chill- the longer, the better. In fact, I think this salad tastes even better the second day- so plan ahead if you need a make-ahead dish for a party.

Makes 4-6 servings.