Chili Lime Quinoa Black Bean Salad (Vegan and Gluten Free)

A salad that will spruce up your summer menu! This colorful Quinoa Black Bean Salad is tossed in a simple chili-lime vinaigrette and will make the perfect addition to your summer potlucks, picnics, and backyard barbecues. You’ll love the combination of bell peppers, avocado, grape tomatoes, corn, red onion, fresh cilantro plus the quinoa and black beans. This recipe is also great for weekend meal preps and is vegan- and vegetarian-friendly as well as gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free.

Salad season is here! Make this quinoa Black Bean Salad

This is a salad that everyone will love. It’s hearty, it’s flavorful, it’s nourishing, and can either be served as a side-dish or as the main-entree for a light and tasty plant-based meal. You’ll find this salad to be satisfying thanks to the healthy fats from the avocado, the fiber from the variety of vegetables, quinoa, and black beans, and a good dose of plant-based protein and complex carbohydrates from again, the quinoa and black beans. 

Ingredients for Quinoa Salad Recipe

• Quinoa – A naturally gluten-free grain that’s a good source of complete protein and complex carbohydrates
• Sweet bell pepper – any color will work
• Red onion – may substitute yellow onion
• Grape or cherry tomatoes – may substitute diced tomato of any variety 
• Black beans
• Cilantro – In addition to cilantro, we like to add a little fresh basil if we have it on hand
• Corn – fresh (cooked), canned, or frozen
• Avocado – diced
• Feta Cheese or cojita cheese – optional, omit for dairy-free and vegan 

For the Chili-Lime Vinaigrette:

This vinaigrette also makes for a tasty marinade for chicken or fish.

• Avocado oil or olive oil – we like Primal Kitchen Foods oils
• Lime juice – you’ll need about two small to medium limes for this recipe
• Ground cumin
• Garlic powder – may substitute one clove garlic, minced
• Chili powder – add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat if you please 
• Fine salt 

How Do You Make Quinoa Black Bean Salad

1. Make the quinoa: first rinse 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa in fine mesh strainer under cold water. In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring 1 1/2 cups water and the quinoa to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover with a lid and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until all water is absorbed. Remove from heat, let it sit for 5 minutes covered, then fluff with a fork. Set aside to cool. This step can be done a day or two in advance. 
2. Make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl or mason jar with cover, combine the lime juice, oil, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder and salt. Whisk or shake to combine well. Set aside. 
3. Make the salad: Once quinoa is cooled, in a large bowl combine the quinoa, bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, black beans, cilantro, corn, and avocado. Add the vinaigrette to the bowl and toss to coat. Add additional salt to taste. 
4. Garnish with additional cilantro and lime wedges.
5. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days

Colorful, nutrient-rich, and full of flavor

With all of the colorful vegetables as well as the quinoa and black beans, Quinoa Black Bean Salad with corn is rich in fiber, vitamins (like vitamin a and c), and antioxidants. A depth of flavor is added with fresh cilantro and a simple chili-lime vinaigrette that’s made with oil, fresh lime juice and a mix of spices (cumin, chili powder, garlic powder).

How to serve Quinoa Black Bean Salad

In addition to bringing this Quinoa Salad with Black Beans to a summer potluck, picnic, or barbecue for everyone to rave about, it’s also great when served alongside of grilled chicken, fish, or steak for an easy weeknight and perfect-for-summer meal. Best of all, leftovers make for a delicious lunch the next day.

How to Meal Prep This Quinoa Salad Recipe

This recipe is great for meal prep because it holds up well even after a few days. In fact, this is one of those salads that tastes even better the next day after all of the flavors have time infuse together. To make Quinoa Black Bean Salad ahead, simply follow the recipe as written and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Make our Instant Pot Shredded Chicken and add that to the salad for a boost of protein.

If you’re making this recipe to bring to a gathering and just want to partially prep the salad you can do any of the following a day or two in advance: cook the quinoa, make the dressing, and chop the vegetables (except for the avocado).

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Photo Credit: The photos in this blog post were taken by Rachel of Half Acre House

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