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Home » Food » Quinoa Black Bean Salad (Make Ahead)

Quinoa Black Bean Salad (Make Ahead)

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Quinoa Black Bean Salad Pin
Quinoa Black Bean Salad Pin

Quinoa black bean salad with cilantro and lime is a delicious and easy lunch or dinner to make ahead and eat all week.

Quinoa black bean salad with corn, red pepper, onion, cilantro and lime

I am not vegan or vegetarian, y’all. But this quinoa black bean salad checks all the boxes for me.

✅ Tasty

✅ Filling

✅ Satisfying

✅ Simple

✅ Fresh

It’s sooo good!😍🙌🏻 And full of plant-based protein, fiber and veggies. 🎉🤸🏼‍♂️

Quinoa black bean salad with corn, red pepper, onion, cilantro and lime

I start with a little quinoa, which I cooked up Instant Pot style. No worries, if you don’t have an Instant Pot (Amazon affiliate) you can cook it on the stovetop too according to package instructions.

Once it was cooked, I let it cool in the fridge while I diced and sautéed up the peppers, onions and corn. I combine that, and then add in some canned black beans, cilantro and a squeeze of lime, and bam!

Quinoa black bean salad with corn, red pepper, onion, cilantro and lime

Taste perfection. 😋👌🏻

A couple of notes on serving. When the question is should I add avocado? The answer is always YES.👌🏻🥑 I like to sprinkle a little salt on my avocado. I ate the first batch as is, right when I made it.

If you are packing this to take to work, I’d suggesting throwing in a few additional lime wedges for flavor, plus and avocado to slice/ dice up and put on top just prior to eating. If you add these things too far ahead, the avocado browns and the flavor is just not the same.

Quinoa black bean salad with corn, red pepper, onion, cilantro and lime

Of course, if you are just pulling out of the fridge at home like I do, it is so easy to prepare. I just add my extra squeeze of lime juice and avocado.

Total meal prep game changer.💁🏼‍♀️ Because I am so much more likely to eat lots of veggies and goodness if I make it easy on myself. 👏🏻👍🏻

Quinoa black bean salad with cilantro and lime is a delicious and easy lunch or dinner to make ahead and eat all week. #quinoa #quinoasalad #quinoablackbeansalad #vegan | APinchOfHealthy.com
Quinoa black bean salad with cilantro and lime is a delicious and easy lunch or dinner to make ahead and eat all week. #quinoa #quinoasalad #quinoablackbeansalad #vegan | APinchOfHealthy.com

I hope y’all enjoy this recipe as much as I have!

Quinoa black bean salad with corn, red pepper, onion, cilantro and lime

Tools Used to Make Quinoa Black Bean Salad

This post may contain affiliate links, which pay a referral fee to me at no additional cost to you. My full affiliate disclosure can be seen here.

  • Measuring spoons
  • Dry ingredient measuring cups
  • Measuring cup
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Large skillet for sautéing the veggies
  • Large mixing bowl for combining everything
  • A manual citrus juicer is helpful for juicing the limes, but not required

Quinoa Black Bean Salad Recipe

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Quinoa black bean salad with corn, red pepper, onion, cilantro and lime
4.5 from 4 votes
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Quinoa Black Bean Salad

Quinoa black bean salad with cilantro and lime is a delicious and easy lunch or dinner to make ahead and eat all week.

Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword quinoa, quinoa black bean salad, quinoa salad
Prep Time 4 minutes
Cook Time 23 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 321 kcal
Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dry quinoa, cooked to package instructions
  • 1 can black beans. rinsed and drained
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • cooking spray
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • juice of 1 large lime, plus additional lime slices for serving leftovers (You can use more, but I just like a hint of lime)
  • Avocado slices for serving (I like to salt my avocado)

Instructions

  1. Cook the quinoa according to package instructions and allow it to cool. I like to put mine in the fridge.

  2. Coat a large skillet with cooking spray, and sauté the onions and red pepper over medium heat for about 5 minutes.

  3. Add a sprinkle of salt and pepper, plus the corn and cook, stirring until heated through, about 2 minutes.

  4. Add the quinoa and veggie mixture to a large bowl, along with the black beans and cilantro.

  5. Squeeze the juice from one large lime over the top, and toss to combine. Taste to see if you want to add more salt and pepper.

  6. Top with sliced/ diced avocado for serving. You can serve immediately at room temperature, or use this as a make-ahead meal (refrigerate leftovers).

  7. For leftovers, I recommend adding more lime juice and fresh avocado just prior to eating.

Recipe Notes

You can also use this as a side dish. I would estimate that it makes 6 side dish sized servings, versus 3 to 4 larger meal-sized servings.

Nutrition Facts
Quinoa Black Bean Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 321 Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Fat 3g5%
Sodium 495mg22%
Potassium 784mg22%
Carbohydrates 60g20%
Fiber 12g50%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 14g28%
Vitamin A 1040IU21%
Vitamin C 45.9mg56%
Calcium 74mg7%
Iron 4.5mg25%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Related posts:

  1. Veggie Shepherd’s Pie
  2. Minestrone Soup (vegetarian/ vegan friendly)
  3. Instant Pot Lentil Soup (vegan)
  4. Lentil Soup (pantry ingredients, root veggies)
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. phyllis says

    November 22, 2020 at 5:24 pm

    3 stars
    i love your recipes but the pop ups on the page made me so crazy I couldn’t stand it.

    Reply
  2. Ginger Covely says

    September 1, 2020 at 3:03 pm

    5 stars
    So delicious as is!

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      September 3, 2020 at 9:19 am

      Glad to hear it, Ginger!👍🏻

      Reply
  3. Judith Mackenzie says

    April 5, 2018 at 3:36 pm

    5 stars
    With two teen aged vegetarians coming for easter dinner, I wanted a new side dish that not only covered their needs, but was appealing for our entire family. everyone enjoyed this quinoa salad. the most impressive follow up was the request from my daughter in law for the recipe. her 8 year old daughter (my granddaughter) asked her to make it. I have sent the recipe and the link to your site.

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      April 5, 2018 at 3:39 pm

      That is some amazing feedback Judith!😍 Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know.💖 I am so happy y’all enjoyed it!

      Reply

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I am a home cook, recipe developer, coffee drinker, wife and mom of two. My recipes are simple and tasty. I enjoy lots of fresh, healthy food, plus full treats without guilt. Thanks so much for stopping by! Read more here.

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