Southwest Quinoa Salad
This healthy Southwest Quinoa Salad is a tasty salad that is the perfect side dish for dinner or a light lunch during the summer months.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn, canned or frozen
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup red onion, chopped
- 1 avocado, diced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
- ½ cup lime juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let cool.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, and cumin.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
- Gently fold in diced avocado and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately or chill before serving.
Nutrition
Notes
- Cool the quinoa: Allow the quinoa to cool completely after cooking so it doesn’t steam and soften the fresh vegetables when mixed.
- Add avocado last: Dice the avocado just before serving and gently fold it in to keep it from browning or turning mushy.
- Chill before serving: For best flavor, refrigerate the assembled salad for at least 30 minutes to let the dressing soak in and the ingredients blend.
- Boost the protein: Stir in cooked, shredded chicken or grilled shrimp to turn this into a heartier main dish.
- Optional topping: A sprinkle of crumbled feta or cotija cheese adds a creamy, salty contrast to the fresh vegetables.
- Meal prep friendly: If preparing in advance, store the salad and dressing separately. Mix them together just before serving to preserve texture and freshness.
- Serve warm or cold: The salad is delicious either freshly made while the quinoa is slightly warm or served cold straight from the fridge.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
Please leave a comment and star rating on this post!