Mexican Quinoa Salad – Slender Kitchen


Mexican Quinoa Salad is a fast, tasty dish that you could throw collectively in about quarter-hour. It is crammed with hearty quinoa, black beans, corn, and creamy avocado, all tossed in a scrumptious honey-cilantro dressing.

339 CAL 61g CARBS 9g FAT 14g PROTEIN 4

I’m continuously making batches of hearty grain salads to have for fast and straightforward wholesome lunches and dinners. This Mexican Quinoa Salad with protein-packed quinoa, black beans, corn, and a creamy citrus avocado dressing is on the high of the checklist. 

My favourite a part of this recipe is the dressing, which is creamy from the avocado, barely spicy from the ancho chili powder, and candy sufficient from the orange juice and honey. Then paired with the hearty quinoa, earthy black beans, and candy summer time corn – it makes one scrumptious salad.

When I’m actually hungry, I add some grilled chicken, blackened steak, or Cajun shrimp to the combination for additional protein.

Love quinoa salads? Do not miss this Honey Lime Kale and Quinoa Salad and Southwestern Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad.

Useful Suggestions:

Listed below are a couple of key issues to bear in mind when making this recipe:

  • Extra extras: That is a kind of salads that you could customise! Add no matter toppings you wish to make it your individual. That is particularly nice with some added protein.
  • Heat it up: If you wish to make a heat model of this salad, merely warmth up the quinoa and black beans. Then mix with the greens and dressing. Serve instantly because the heat grains will trigger the greens to wilt.
  • Pre-cook the quinoa: You may prep the quinoa forward of time and maintain it within the fridge or freezer till you are prepared to make use of it! Or seize some frozen, precooked quinoa to hurry issues up!

A vibrant mix of quinoa, black beans, corn, fresh greens, and citrus for a refreshing Mexican quinoa salad.

Key Elements

This hearty salad is stuffed with wholesome, immune-boosting components. Many of those components might already be stocked in your pantry however may simply be discovered at your native grocery retailer.

  • Quinoa: Use pre-cooked or common quinoa—each are nice choices. You may as well use my Mexican quinoa recipe, which already has black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and taco seasoning!
  • Black Beans: Canned beans are fast, however dried beans work, too, you probably have the time.
  • Avocado: Be sure you use a ripe avocado for the most effective texture. Should you aren’t a fan of avocado, swap in Greek yogurt, bitter cream, additional olive oil, or mayo to make an avocado-free creamy dressing.
  • Corn: Provides sweetness and crunch. I roasted my corn for a smoky taste, however you should utilize common canned corn or frozen corn.
  • Orange: Offers a candy, tangy pop that brightens the salad. Recent or bottled orange juice works properly!
  • Cilantro: Brings a recent, herby style that basically wakes up the salad. Recent cilantro is essential for the fitting taste, or swap in basil if cilantro is not your favourite. 
  • Honey: Provides sweetness to the cilantro dressing. Swap it with agave or maple syrup to make it vegan!
  • Lime Juice: Provides a zesty, tangy kick that brings all of the flavors collectively. Recent lime juice is at all times greatest.

Blender with avocado, cilantro, and spices next to a Mexican quinoa salad with black beans, corn, and creamy dressing.

Learn how to Make Mexican Quinoa Salad

First, you will need to whip up the dressing by mixing collectively some avocado, lime juice, orange juice, honey, and spices. If it is a bit of thick, simply add a little bit of water till it is easy and pourable.

Subsequent, toss the combined greens, quinoa, black beans, corn, orange segments, and the remainder of the avocado collectively in a giant bowl.

Pour your dressing over every part and provides it a superb toss to mix. Lastly, serve it up and luxuriate in! You may even let it chill for a bit in order for you it chilly.

A bowl of Mexican quinoa salad with greens, black beans, corn, avocado, and creamy dressing, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Learn how to Prepare dinner Quinoa (Stovetop, On the spot Pot, and Gradual Cooker)

Stovetop Technique

To prepare dinner quinoa on the stovetop, rinse it properly below chilly water to take away any bitter coating. Then, mix the quinoa with water (or broth for additional taste) in a pot, utilizing about two components liquid to 1 half quinoa. Carry it to a boil, then cut back the warmth to low, cowl, and simmer for about quarter-hour or till the liquid is absorbed. Let it sit, lined, for a couple of minutes, then fluff it with a fork, and it is able to go!

On the spot Pot Technique

For the On the spot Pot, rinse the quinoa first. Then, mix one half quinoa with one half water (or broth) within the pot. Seal the lid, set the On the spot Pot to excessive strain, and prepare dinner for about one minute. Let it naturally launch for about 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork and serve. It is fast and straightforward!

Gradual Cooker Technique

To prepare dinner quinoa within the gradual cooker, add rinsed quinoa and water (or broth) to the cooker, utilizing the identical ratio of about two components liquid to 1 half quinoa. Cowl and prepare dinner on low for about 2-3 hours or till the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is tender. Give it a superb fluff earlier than serving, and also you’re performed!

Change It Up

There are such a lot of methods to customise this Mexican-inspired quinoa salad.

  • Add protein: This recipe already comprises a bunch of nice plant-based protein. Shredded chicken tinga, slow cooker salsa verde beef, carnitas, shrimp, tofu, hard-boiled eggs, and salmon are all attainable additions to this salad for added dietary worth.
  • Beans: You should use pinto beans as a substitute of black beans in case you like!
  • Spicy kick: Add some chopped jalapeno or a splash of cayenne pepper to the dressing for a bit of warmth.
  • Lime juice: Be at liberty to swap the lime juice for lemon juice if that is all you’ve got!
  • Change up your toppings: Add bell peppers, queso fresco, cherry or grape tomatoes, pickled red onions, feta cheese or cotija cheese, inexperienced onions, cabbage, radishes, or cucumbers to alter up the flavour. Add some pepitas or nuts for crunch.
  • Make it sweeter: Add honey or agave for some added sweetness to the dressing.
  • Add greens: Use any leafy greens you want, reminiscent of arugula, kale, spinach, or romaine lettuce.
  • Quinoa: In case you are quick on time, be happy to make use of frozen quinoa as an alternative choice to freshly cooked. After cooking the quinoa, let it cool earlier than including it to the salad. Cooked quinoa may final within the freezer for as much as eight months in an hermetic container. Put together some upfront to maintain available to whip up quinoa-based salads shortly and simply sooner or later.

Steadily Requested Questions

Listed below are the commonest questions on making this Mexican-inspired quinoa salad:



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