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.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

Remove the saucepan from the heat. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool completely before assembling the salad.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, black beans, corn kernels, diced red bell pepper, chopped red onion, and cilantro.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Pour the vinaigrette over the salad ingredients in the mixing bowl. Toss gently to combine, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.

Step 7

Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed, adding more lime juice, salt, or pepper as desired.

Step 8

Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 9

Serve as a side dish or light main course. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1131g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1208.6

Total Fat 56.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2419.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 149.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.9g	0%
Total Sugars 25.9g
Protein 32.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 81.8mg	0%
Iron 6.8mg	0%
Potassium 1048.1mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.2%

Protein: 10.4%

Carbs: 48.4%