Zesty Lemon and Herb Quinoa Pilaf
Zesty Lemon and Herb Quinoa Pilaf pairs fluffy quinoa with bright lemon zest and juice, fresh parsley and basil, and a gentle garlic aroma. The citrusy lift and garden-fresh herbs make it a lively, fragrant side that complements roasted chicken, grilled fish, or vegetable mains. Serve warm or at room temperature for weeknight dinners or light lunches.
- Prep10 mins
- Cook20 mins
- Serves6
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Zesty Lemon and Herb Quinoa Pilaf, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 58 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 27 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 91 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 81
- Heart Health
- 50
- Metabolic
- 39
- Digestive
- 42
- Inflammatory
- 38
- Performance
- 55
- General Wellness
- 1
Stir water, quinoa, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, basil, garlic, and seasoning blend together in a saucepan.
- 2
Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender and the water is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
- 3
Let rest, covered, for 5 minutes; fluff with a fork.
- Calories 144.53 kcal Moderate 7%
- Protein 4.75 g Low Source 10%
- Carbohydrate 27.22 g 10%
- Total Fat 1.98 g Low Source 3%
- Saturated Fat 0.01 g Low Source 0%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 0.05 mg Low Source 0%
- Sodium 7.94 mg Low Source 0%
- Dietary Fiber 4.66 g Moderate 17%
- Total Sugars 3.99 g --
- Added Sugars 3.31 g Moderate 7%
- Calcium 24.32 mg Low Source 2%
- Iron 1.48 mg Low Source 8%
- Potassium 30.38 mg Low Source 1%
- Vitamin A 4.59 mcg Low Source 1%
- Vitamin C 10.79 mg Moderate 12%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Citrus 🍊
- Garlic 🧄
About This Recipe
Zesty Lemon and Herb Quinoa Pilaf is made with 7 ingredients and serves 6. It takes about 30 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Fresh Basil, Fresh Parsley, Garlic Pepper Seasoning, and Lemon. Each serving provides about 144.53 kcal.
Recipe Questions
- What is Zesty Lemon and Herb Quinoa Pilaf made of?
- The main ingredients are Fresh Basil, Fresh Parsley, Garlic Pepper Seasoning, Lemon, Minced Garlic. The full list of 7 is above.
- How long does it take to make Zesty Lemon and Herb Quinoa Pilaf?
- About 30 mins in total: 10 mins to prepare and 20 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 144.53 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Zesty Lemon and Herb Quinoa Pilaf easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 7 ingredients and 3 steps.
- Is Zesty Lemon and Herb Quinoa Pilaf healthy?
- Zesty Lemon and Herb Quinoa Pilaf has an easyChef Pro health score of 56/100. Per serving, it provides 144.53 calories and 4.75 g of protein, or 10% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: added sugars at 3.31 g (7% of the Daily Value). It contains Citrus and Garlic, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
How easyChef Pro scores recipes and products
easyChef Pro analyzes up to 41 nutrients using data sourced from USDA and other verified food databases. Its scoring method uses the nutrients relevant to nutrition quality, calorie density, processing level, and your selected health goal. Recipes and food products get a health score from 0 to 100, calculated using consistent rules instead of being estimated by AI. The same nutrition data, serving size and health goal will produce the same result.
The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
Your health goal also matters. easyChef Pro evaluates recipes and products across six health areas and adjusts their importance for your selected goal. This means the same food may be a better fit for one health goal than another.
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