Zesty Quinoa & Black Bean Salad is the perfect healthy and satisfying meal for busy weeknights. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, this dish comes together in a flash. It’s a real-life, no-mess, one-bowl wonder that will have you enjoying a delicious and nutritious meal in no time.
Why You’ll Love This Zesty Quinoa & Black Bean Salad for a Fresh Start
This Zesty Quinoa & Black Bean Salad is the ultimate comfort food for busy, stress-free weeknights. It’s a quick, easy, and satisfying meal that’s packed with protein, fiber, and a zesty, calming flavor profile. The best part? It’s a make-ahead, grab-and-go option that will reward you with a rewarding, cozy dinner after a long day. This recipe is a one-bowl wonder that proves you can enjoy a real, homemade meal in just a few minutes.
Ingredients (Single-Serve)
This Zesty Quinoa & Black Bean Salad requires just a handful of simple, real-food ingredients. You’ll need quinoa, black beans, cherry tomatoes, red onion, lime juice, olive oil, and a few spices like chili powder, cumin, and salt.
- 1 cup – cooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup – canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup – cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tbsp – diced red onion
- 1 tbsp – fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp – olive oil
- 1/2 tsp – chili powder
- 1/4 tsp – ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp – salt
Ingredient Substitutions
- Beans: Use any type of bean you have on hand, like pinto, kidney, or chickpeas. They’ll all work perfectly!
- Tomatoes: Diced regular tomatoes can easily be swapped in for the cherry tomatoes.
How to Make Zesty Quinoa & Black Bean Salad for a Fresh Start
Alright, let’s do this! Get ready to whip up a delicious and nutritious meal in a snap.
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by cooking the quinoa according to package instructions. While that’s happening, dice the red onion and halve the cherry tomatoes. Drain and rinse the black beans.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, black beans, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. Drizzle with olive oil and lime juice, then season with chili powder, cumin, and salt.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Toss everything together until well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. That’s it! Your Zesty Quinoa & Black Bean Salad is ready to enjoy.
Step 4: Finishing Touches (if needed)
If you have any fresh cilantro or avocado on hand, feel free to add those as finishing touches. They’ll take this salad to the next level of flavor and freshness.
Variations & Time-Saver Tips
- Protein Boost: For an even heartier meal, you can add cooked chicken or shrimp.
- Vegetarian Swap: To make it vegetarian, swap the protein with roasted sweet potatoes or grilled tofu.
- Indulgent Addition: A sprinkle of crumbled feta or a dollop of Greek yogurt on top will take this salad to the next level of deliciousness.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This salad is a great make-ahead option. Simply prepare it and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Serving, Storage & Reheat
Serve with: Warm pita bread, tortilla chips, or a side of roasted vegetables.
Storage: This salad will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Microwave Reheat: Pop it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
Make-Ahead: This salad is perfect for meal prep. Make a big batch on the weekend and enjoy it all week long.
Nutrition Info
This Zesty Quinoa & Black Bean Salad is a nutritional powerhouse. Each serving is packed with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. It’s a great option for those looking to maintain a healthy weight or boost their veggie intake.
- Serving Size: 1 single-serve portion
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Protein: 12 g
- Carbs: 42 g
- Fat: 9 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
FAQs
How long does it take to make this salad?
The total time to make this Zesty Quinoa & Black Bean Salad is just 15-20 minutes, with most of that being hands-off cooking time for the quinoa.
Can I make this salad in advance?
Absolutely! This salad is a great make-ahead option. Simply prepare it and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. The flavors will actually intensify as it sits.
Is this salad vegetarian/vegan?
Yes, this Zesty Quinoa & Black Bean Salad is vegetarian and vegan-friendly. Just be sure to omit any optional dairy toppings like feta or Greek yogurt.
How can I make this salad more filling?
To make this salad more substantial, you can add cooked chicken or shrimp, roasted sweet potatoes, or even some crumbled feta cheese.
Can I use a different type of bean?
Definitely! This recipe is very flexible. You can swap the black beans for any other type of bean, like pinto, kidney, or chickpeas.
Try These Next
- High Protein Quinoa Veggie Bowls For A Fresh Start
- Zesty Lemon Herb Quinoa Mug Salad
- Savory Quinoa And Black Bean Mug Bowl
Zesty Quinoa & Black Bean Salad for a Fresh Start
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Healthy Weight Management
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Zesty Quinoa & Black Bean Salad is a refreshing and nutritious dish perfect for a healthy start to your day. Packed with protein and fiber, it’s a great option for weight management.
Ingredients
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup corn, fresh or frozen
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
Juice of 2 limes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Cook quinoa according to package instructions and let it cool.
2. In a large bowl, combine black beans, red bell pepper, corn, red onion, and cilantro.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Add the cooled quinoa to the vegetable mixture.
5. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Notes
This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg