Citrus Quinoa Salad with Herbs and Feta

This Citrus Quinoa Salad with Herbs and Feta is a bright, flavour-packed quinoa salad made with juicy oranges, sweet-tart apple, dried cranberries, fresh herbs, crunchy walnuts and creamy feta. It’s quick to prepare, wonderfully balanced, and perfect for meal prep, a light lunch or a colourful side dish that feels both nourishing and satisfying.

Citrus Quinoa Salad Ingredients

This quick and easy quinoa salad keeps things fresh, balanced and full of texture. Let’s take a closer look at what goes into it:

• Quinoa – light, fluffy and protein-rich
• Citrus fruit (oranges) – juicy, sweet and refreshing
• Apple & cranberries – for sweetness and a little tart contrast
• Red onion – adds sharpness; slice thinly for balance
• Parsley & mint – bring freshness and lift the whole dish
• Walnuts – crunchy and slightly earthy (almonds also work well)
• Feta – creamy, salty and essential for contrast
• Olive oil + citrus juice – a simple, zesty dressing

How to Make This Quinoa Salad with Fruit, Herbs & Feta

This citrus quinoa salad is wonderfully simple to throw together. Start by cooking the quinoa and letting it cool so everything stays fresh and crisp. While that’s happening, segment the oranges (saving a little of the juice), chop the herbs, dice the apple and slice the onion.

Once everything is prepped, just combine it all in a big bowl with the cranberries, walnuts and some of the feta. Whisk together a quick citrus dressing with olive oil, orange juice and lemon juice, then pour it over and toss gently. Finish with the remaining feta on top, and you’re ready to serve. Voila!

Why I Love This Citrus Quinoa Salad

This citrus quinoa salad with herbs and feta is one of those recipes that ticks all the boxes. It’s fresh, satisfying and endlessly adaptable.

• Fresh and vibrant flavours – citrus and herbs make it taste light, zesty and uplifting
• Perfect balance – sweet, salty, tangy and crunchy in every bite
• Quick and easy – ready in around 30 minutes
• Great for meal prep – holds up well and tastes even better after sitting

Citrus Quinoa Salad Variations

One of the best things about this citrus quinoa salad is how easy it is to make it your own, depending on what you have on hand or what’s in season.

• Swap the fruit – use pomegranate seeds instead of apple, or try pear, grapes or even blood orange for a deeper citrus flavour
• Change the nuts – toasted almonds or hazelnuts work beautifully in place of walnuts
• Try a different grain – couscous, bulgur or barley are great alternatives to quinoa
• Add extra protein – chickpeas or grilled chicken turn it into a more filling meal
• Switch the herbs or greens – basil or coriander can replace parsley and mint, or add a handful of your favourite greens like young arugula or radicchio for extra bite

If you love citrus or fruit in your quinoa salad, here are a few fresh, vibrant and flavour-packed favourites to try next:

• Orange Quinoa Salad – bright, zesty and refreshing salad with almonds, arugula and radicchio
• Quinoa Salad with Orange – a vibrant, herb-packed variation with plenty of leafy greens
• Moroccan-Style Quinoa Salad – warm spices with a citrus twist
• Quinoa Salad with Strawberries and Cucumber – light, juicy and perfect for summer
• Pear Quinoa Salad with Arugula – sweet, peppery and beautifully balanced

These quinoa recipes follow a similar fresh, wholesome approach and are perfect if you enjoy vibrant, flavour-packed salads with fruit.

Elle

Citrus Quinoa Salad with Herbs and Feta

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A fresh and vibrant citrus quinoa salad made with oranges, apple, fresh herbs, feta and walnuts in a light citrus dressing. Quick, healthy and perfect for meal prep.

I’d love your feedback – just click on the stars to rate this recipe! ⭐

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Mediterannean

Calories: 520

Ingredients

  

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• 250 g quinoa, rinsed well (about 1⅓ cups)
• 3 medium oranges
• 1 small crisp sweet-tart apple, diced
• 2 tablespoons dried cranberries (organic), roughly chopped
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 small bunch flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
• 1 generous handful fresh mint leaves, chopped (about 3 tablespoons)
• 50 g walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped (1/2 cup)
• 200 g Greek feta, crumbled
• 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons reserved orange juice
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

 

1. Rinse the quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve, then drain well. Cook according to the packet instructions, using double the amount of water, until tender and fluffy, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, fluff with a fork and leave to stand for 5 minutes. Transfer to a large salad bowl and let it cool.
2. Meanwhile, prepare the oranges. Slice off the top and bottom of each one, then cut away the peel and white pith, following the curve of the fruit. Working over a bowl to catch the juices, cut between the membranes to release the segments. Set the segments aside and reserve the juice.
3. Add the orange segments to the cooled quinoa along with the diced apple, cranberries, red onion, parsley, mint, walnuts and half of the feta. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, 2 tablespoons of the reserved orange juice and the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Transfer to a serving platter or serve straight from the bowl, then scatter over the remaining feta. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 520kcal

Notes

For a relaxing atmosphere in the kitchen I recommend my personal Elle Republic: Chilled Out Kitchen Tunes Playlist on Spotify.

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