Black Bean Quinoa Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
Bright, fresh, and packed with flavor, this Black Bean Quinoa Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette is a wholesome dish that’s perfect for meal prep, weeknight dinners, or potluck gatherings. It features protein-rich quinoa, hearty black beans, sweet corn, and crunchy red bell peppers, all tossed in a zesty cilantro lime vinaigrette made with fresh lime juice, olive oil, and a hint of honey for balance. Ready in just 30 minutes, this gluten-free, vegetarian recipe is high in fiber, bursting with vibrant colors, and irresistibly delicious. Serve it chilled for a refreshing side dish or a light yet satisfying main course.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 0.25 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 0.5 cup cilantro, chopped
- 3 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Rinse the quinoa under cold water to remove any bitterness. Combine quinoa and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and the water is fully absorbed.
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool completely before assembling the salad.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, black beans, corn kernels, diced red bell pepper, chopped red onion, and cilantro.
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, honey, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to create the cilantro lime vinaigrette.
Pour the vinaigrette over the salad ingredients in the mixing bowl. Toss gently to combine, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed, adding more lime juice, salt, or pepper as desired.
Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serve as a side dish or light main course. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
300 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 12.4 g | 16% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.5 g | 8% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 259 mg | 11% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 40.9 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.7 g | 34% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.3 g | ||
| Protein | 10.0 g | 20% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 55 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 3.1 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 598 mg | 13% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
