This quinoa black bean salad is full of Southwestern flavor from black beans, sweet corn, herbs and spices and a squirt of lime. It’s makes a satisfying lunch or dinner!
More summer salad recipes that we love include orzo salad with vinaigrette, mango chicken quinoa salad and southwest quinoa salad.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Healthy. This Quinoa black bean salad is loaded with protein, fiber, antioxidants, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. It’s also gluten-free, dairy free and vegan like my rice and black beans!
- Versatile. I often use it as my go-to when I’m deciding on a recipe to bring to a BBQ as it can be served cold. Quinoa and black bean salad is the best for meal prepping!
Ingredients
Variations
- Dressing: A creamy avocado lime dressing or cilantro lime dressing would also taste delicious on top!
- Corn: I use frozen sweet corn because it’s quick and easily accessible, but sometimes I take it up a notch and use grilled corn. That delicious smoky char adds a new layer!
- Add ins: Red onion, avocado, tomatoes, mango and red bell pepper
How to Make Quinoa Black Bean Salad
Start by heating the oil in a medium saucepan and sauté the onion for about 4-5 minutes until tender, followed by the minced garlic.
Toss the quinoa into the same saucepan and cover it with water. Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and cover it while it simmers. If this sounds similar to cooking rice, it is!
Once the liquid has been absorbed, use a fork to fluff up the quinoa a bit, and loosen it up so it doesn’t stay clumped together. Then add in the corn and black beans.
Cover the pot, and remove it from the heat. The residual heat will warm the corn and beans through, without them getting mushy.
Stir in the cilantro and lime juice, a little salt and pepper to taste, and give everything a mix. Do a little taste test and decide if you want a little extra salt or lime juice.
Make Ahead and Storing
This salad will keep fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
I love using this salad for meal prep ideas. It can be made ahead and kept in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. That’s one of the best things about this delicious recipe is that it works as a cold dish or served warm!
More quinoa salads we love include this Mediterranean quinoa salad and Jennifer Aniston salad recipe.
More Potluck Salad Recipes
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Quinoa Black Bean Salad
Ingredients
- 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 2 cups water or vegetable broth
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¾ teaspoon Kosher salt , plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper , plus more to taste
- 1 cup frozen sweet corn
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans , drained and rinsed
- ½ cup cilantro , chopped
- 1 lime , juiced
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Stir in the onion and sauté until tender, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes more.
- Add the quinoa and cover with water. Stir in the cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil and cover the pan. Reduce heat to low and simmer 15 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in the corn and black beans. Cover the pan and remove from heat. Let sit 5 minutes, or until the corn and beans are heated through.
- Stir in the cilantro and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add extra lime juice, if desired. Serve warm or cold.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I really loved this warm and cold. But for my personal preference, Next time I will up the cumin just a bit and add 1/4 tsp chilli powder.
So glad you enjoyed the quinoa salad :)
Flavorful and so delicious! We added it to our dinner as a side dish last night!
Love this as a meal! It’s hearty & so tasty! I like to add grilled chicken.
Mmm sounds delicious!
I am going to be serving this at all my summer barbecues!