This Lemon Quinoa Salad with Feta is packed with bright lemon flavor, crumbled feta cheese, crunchy almonds, and fresh chopped herbs. Make it on the stove or in the Instant Pot for a healthy lunch, side dish, or main dish. Whether served warm or cold, this lemon quinoa recipe truly beats all others!
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For true lemon fans everywhere, may we present this Lemon Quinoa Salad with Feta. This salad is literally bursting with fresh lemon flavor, which is perfectly balanced by creamy feta cheese and tons of chopped herbs. It’s next level delicious every time.
The inspiration for this recipe came from Cafe Sucre’s Lemon Quinoa Salad, but we increased the lemon significantly and changed up some of the fillings. For another simple salad, try this Greek Quinoa Salad, full of red onion, kalamata olives, fresh tomatoes, and other mediterranean flavors.
🏅 Why this recipe is great
- Insanely delicious yet simple recipe
- Healthy
- Great for meal prep - eat it the next day or keep on hand for busy weeknights.
- Flexible - Use whatever you have on hand. You can change the greens, herbs, nuts, and even add protein.
- Cold or warm - This makes a great cold quinoa salad for lunches, but it's equally good served warm.
🍋 Ingredients
- White quinoa: The recipe is written for 2 cups quinoa (raw), but if you have 6 cups of cooked quinoa you can definitely use it instead. That's an easy way to make a quick meal.
- Chicken broth: You could also use vegetable broth.
- Butter: I use salted, but unsalted is fine too.
- Sliced almonds: Pecans, walnuts, or pine nuts would also be good.
- Garlic: Buy it pre-minced for extra ease.
- Olive oil: You can also use canola oil, but extra virgin olive oil adds great flavor to complement the lemon.
- Lemon juice: Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. This is key.
- Lemon zest: Use a microplane (affiliate) to zest the lemons easily.
- Salt and pepper: Kosher salt and ground black pepper.
- Greens: Use any combination of greens you like, including spinach, kale, swiss chard, arugula, or spring greens. Green onions could also be added.
- Fresh herbs: Use any combination of fresh herbs (not dried) that you like, such as fresh basil, thyme, sage, parsley, mint, or oregano. I suggest using 2-3 different herbs.
- Feta cheese: The feat adds a creamy texture and balances the tangy lemon. So worth it!
- Chicken (optional): Add shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken to add protein.
🔪 How to make Lemon Quinoa Salad with Feta
First, make the quinoa. It is really easy to make in the Instant Pot (affiliate), but it can be done in a medium pot on the stove as well. Cook quinoa using these instructions for how to make perfect quinoa in the Instant Pot or stove. Once cooked, transfer quinoa to a large bowl and allow it to cool for at least 10 minutes.
While the quinoa is cooling, toast the almonds by melting butter in a skillet and cooking the almonds on medium heat until golden brown.
For the dressing, whisk together the garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper in a small bowl. You can also make this ahead and store it in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Last, add the lemon dressing, chopped greens, chopped herbs, and toasted almonds to the warm quinoa. Allow it to cool to room temperature or chill in the fridge. Right before serving, add the feta cheese. Done!
👨👩👧👦 For a crowd
Lemon quinoa can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd. The recipe is written to serve 6 as a main dish. If using as a side, it will serve closer to 10. I highly suggest prepping it ahead if serving a large group (see make-ahead instructions below).
🙋 Questions and Answers
This Lemon Quinoa Salad with Feta is great for meal prep and making ahead. Make the entire salad as directed, just leave out the toasted almonds and feta until just before serving (otherwise they will get soft and soggy). Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
You can freeze the cooked quinoa plain, then add the dressing and mix-ins fresh. To freeze the quinoa, cool completely and store in a zipper bag. Freeze it flat until solid for easy storing. Then thaw at room temperature or in the fridge.
You can store the lemon quinoa salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. I suggest leaving the toasted almonds and feta on the side, then adding them when you serve.
This makes a great cold quinoa salad, but is equally delicious warm or room temperature. Whatever you prefer!
Quinoa is a whole grain that is naturally gluten-free, packed with dietary fiber, high in protein, and rich in B vitamins and essential amino acids. Add lemon juice, greens, and herbs and you’ve got a healthy, filling, and energy-boosting meal.
👨🏼🍳 Tips & Tricks
- Make the quinoa right: A great quinoa salad has to start with quality quinoa. Check out this post for detailed instructions on How to Make Perfectly Cooked Quinoa on the Stove or in the Instant Pot.
- Add dressing when the quinoa is warm: If you stir in the dressing while the quinoa is warm, it will absorb more flavor.
- Use real lemons and fresh herbs: Real lemons = 1000% better than the store bought juice. Same with fresh herbs compared to dried herbs. This is the key to amazing flavor!
- Add chicken: Add shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken for extra protein.
📖 More healthy recipes
- Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe
- Greek Chicken Gyros
- Lemon Broccoli Pasta Recipe
- Skillet Chicken with Brown Butter and Herbs
- Easy Skillet Lemon Chicken
👋🏻 Connect with us!
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating to let us know how it is! We’d also love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. Tag @borrowedbites or hashtag #borrowedbites to show us your food!
📋 Recipe
Amazing Lemon Quinoa Salad with Feta
Ingredients
Perfect Quinoa on the Stove or Instant Pot
- 2 cups raw quinoa or about 6 cups cooked quinoa
- 3 cups chicken broth
Lemon Quinoa Salad with Feta
- ½ tablespoon butter
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 2 tablespoon garlic minced
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 6 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon lemon zest from 2-3 lemons
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 3 cups greens chopped (swiss chard, kale, spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
- ⅓ cup fresh chopped herbs (Use 2-3 fresh herbs: basil, sage, thyme, parsley, mint, or oregano)
- 1 cup crumbled feta + more for topping, if desired
Instructions
Quinoa - Instant Pot or Stove
- Cook quinoa according to this recipe for Perfectly Cooked Quinoa (stove or Instant Pot). Once fluffed, allow quinoa to cool for about 10 minutes.2 cups raw quinoa, 3 cups chicken broth
Lemon Quinoa Salad with Feta
- While the quinoa is cooling slightly, melt the butter in a small skillet on medium heat. Add almonds and toast, stirring often, until they are lightly golden brown, 3-4 minutes.½ tablespoon butter, ½ cup sliced almonds
- In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Set aside.2 tablespoon garlic, ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, 6 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- In a large bowl, add the warm quinoa, greens, chopped herbs, toasted almonds, and lemon dressing. Stir well to combine.3 cups greens, ⅓ cup fresh chopped herbs
- Serve salad slightly warm, at room temperature, or chill until cold. Add feta right before serving. Enjoy!1 cup crumbled feta
- We love comments! Please come back and leave us one after you’ve tried this recipe.
Notes
- Make the quinoa right: A great quinoa salad has to start with quality quinoa. Check out this post for detailed instructions on How to Make Perfectly Cooked Quinoa on the Stove or in the Instant Pot.
- Add dressing when the quinoa is warm: If you stir in the dressing while the quinoa is warm, it will absorb more flavor.
- Use real lemons and fresh herbs: Real lemons = 1000% better than the store bought juice. Same with fresh herbs compared to dried herbs. This is the key to amazing flavor!
- Add chicken: Add shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken for extra protein.
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Leanna says
Delicious! I used spinach and mint and I’m feeling springtime vibes in my mouth. Thank you for sharing!
Danielle says
Awe! So happy to hear you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
Patricia says
This was delicious! I used spinach and basil for my greens/herbs, added chopped grape tomatoes, and left out the feta. Will make again!
Misty says
So happy you enjoyed it!