Southwest Quinoa Salad with Black Beans, Mango and Avocado

This Southwest Quinoa Salad with black beans, mango and avocado is a scrumptious aspect salad for potlucks, events and summertime picnics. The cumin, lime and cilantro dressing is flavorful and vibrant and pairs so effectively with the quinoa and contemporary, wholesome elements! This recipe is hearty sufficient to function a vegan predominant course for dinner or lunch.

I initially shared this salad on April 22, 2016. I’ve up to date the images and textual content to share it with you once more in the present day. The recipe stays unchanged.

Why We Love This Recipe For Southwest Quinoa Salad

One in all my favourite methods to eat in the summertime is to make a giant batch of a hearty and wholesome salad, after which toss something on the grill. It’s such a straightforward manner of planning our dinner menus and I really like that lots of the work may be executed upfront to suit my schedule. As an added bonus, I attempt to plan it so there’s sufficient leftover salad for lunches too. It’s a win win!

Some favourite salads I make frequently embrace my Chickpea Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing, this hearty Mediterranean Quinoa Salad and this Mexican 4 Bean Salad. And naturally there’s additionally this Southwest Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Mango that I’ve been making for years! It by no means disappoints.

The zippy lime dressing with cumin and cilantro enhances the candy mango, creamy avocado and earthy black beans. What’s extra, the nourishing and satisfying quinoa serves as the right backdrop for the salad. Not solely is quinoa thought-about a superfood, however it’s excessive in fiber and protein! Which means this salad, whereas it’s vegan, is hearty sufficient to function a predominant course.

And I also needs to say, this Black Bean and Mango Quinoa Salad recipe is a giant hit at cookouts, potlucks and yard picnics. I really like serving it as a result of it’s not solely gluten-free but in addition plant-based, so just about everybody can take pleasure in it!

Components For This Recipe

Quinoa

You should utilize both white quinoa or pink quinoa (or a mix.) Begin with uncooked dry quinoa and rinse it. Until the package deal says that it’s pre-rinsed it’s best to rinse it first to take away any residue that can style bitter. To take action, place it in a fine-mesh sieve and let cool water run by way of it for a minute or two. As soon as the bubbles subside it’s cleaned off. 

Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice and Olive Oil

As a result of this salad has a Southwestern and Mexican theme to it, I selected lime juice because the acid for the dressing. Taking the time to juice the lime from contemporary makes a giant taste distinction. I additionally used olive oil as a result of it has heart-healthy fat and its contemporary taste goes so effectively within the dressing.

Seasonings: Cumin, Garlic and Salt

So as to add earthy Southwest taste to the dressing I additionally added in floor cumin. It actually compliments and brings out the nutty taste within the quinoa.  

I salted the dressing closely to make it simpler. So no must salt the quinoa because it cooks. 

I take advantage of grated garlic for the dressing for this salad. I like the way in which it melts into the dressing and doesn’t go away any large chunks. 

Canned or Cooked Black Beans

For ease, I like to make use of canned beans. Simply ensure to empty them and rinse them clear. It’s also possible to use 1 1/2 cups of cooked beans for those who wish to cook dinner beans from dry. 

Mango

The mango makes this salad so particular. Peel it with a vegetable peeler and minimize the mango into cubes. 

Red bell pepper

For extra texture and colour, I added in chopped pink bell peppers. Be at liberty to decide on one other pepper colour if you don’t like pink pepper. 

Jalapeno pepper

For contemporary spicy style, I additionally added in a contemporary jalapeño pepper. If you don’t like spicy meals, get rid of the seeds, or you possibly can omit the chile altogether. If you happen to can’t discover/ don’t have a jalapeño, sub in a pinch or two of cayenne or chipotle chile powder. 

Cilantro and Mint

I am keen on cilantro and love including it into Mexican-influenced recipes. I really like the contemporary style it provides to this salad. If you don’t prefer it, skip it. No must sub in one other herb.

Slightly little bit of mint goes a good distance on this recipe. Simply 1/4 cup provides a singular taste that may be a enjoyable mixture with the mango and cilantro. 

Avocado

The avocado provides wholesome fats, creamy texture and richness to this in any other case texturally rustic and brightly seasoned salad. 

How To Make This Southwest Black Bean, Quinoa and Mango Salad

Step 1: Prepare dinner Quinoa

Carry quinoa and chilly water to a boil in a medium saucepan, cowl, scale back warmth to low to keep up a delicate simmer, and cook dinner till the germ has burst and the water is absorbed 16 to twenty minutes.

Step 2: Make Dressing

In the meantime, whisk garlic, oil, lime, cumin and salt in a big bowl.

Step 3: Cool the Sizzling Quinoa within the Dressing

Scrape sizzling quinoa into the lime dressing, and stir to mix. Let cool at the very least 10 minutes or coated within the fridge in a single day.

Step 4: Stir Salad Collectively

Add beans, mango, pink pepper, jalapeno, cilantro and mint to the quinoa and stir to mix. Add the avocado and gently stir it in. Serve at room temperature for the most effective taste. Or for those who want chilly quinoa salad refrigerate it till it’s chilly.

FAQs and Professional Ideas

What Goes With Quinoa Salad?

Make-Forward and Meal Prep Ideas

This recipe is sweet for 3 days. The avocado does flip brown so if you’re making it forward, I counsel including the avocado on the final minute. Maintain it saved in an hermetic container within the fridge. 

Variations To Strive

• As an alternative of Mango, use 1 1/2 cups candy corn kernels and substitute grape tomatoes for the bell pepper. Omit the mint.
• For an added taste increase, cook dinner the quinoa in vegetable broth as a substitute of water.
• Garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds for extra crunch.
• Omit the garlic and add chopped inexperienced onions, diced pink onion or scallions as a substitute.

Extra Quinoa Recipes To Strive

Thanks a lot for studying. In case you are new right here, you might have considered trying to join my free weekly e mail publication the place I share weeknight meal plans delivered proper to your inbox. Or observe me on Instagram. If you happen to make this recipe, please come again and go away a star ranking and assessment! It is vitally appreciated. Glad Cooking! ~Katie

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