Southwest Black Bean Quinoa Salad
A quick and nutritious salad bursting with flavor, combining quinoa, black beans, and a tangy lime dressing.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa Rinse before cooking.
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained Canned or cooked from scratch.
- 1 piece bell pepper, diced Any color bell pepper can be used.
- 1 piece avocado, diced Add just before serving.
- 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped For garnish.
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 pieces limes, juiced Fresh lime juice is preferred.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil Extra virgin for best flavor.
- to taste salt and pepper Adjust according to taste.
Instructions
Cooking Quinoa
- Rinse the quinoa under cold water.
- In a saucepan, combine quinoa with 2 cups of water, and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cover.
- Cook for about 15 minutes until all water is absorbed. Fluff it with a fork and let it cool.
Combining Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, black beans, diced bell pepper, and cilantro.
Making the Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper for the dressing.
Assembly
- Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss gently to combine.
- Top with diced avocado just before serving.
Notes
Let the salad marinate in the dressing for about 15 minutes before serving for best flavor. Can be served alone or paired with grilled chicken or shrimp.