Easy Quinoa Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Black Beans, and Lime-Cumin Dressing Recipe
This Easy Quinoa Salad is a fresh, vibrant, and nutritious dish featuring fluffy quinoa combined with zesty lime juice, cumin, and a medley of colorful vegetables and black beans. Perfect as a light lunch or a healthy side dish, it balances tangy and savory flavors with a hint of spice for a wholesome meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Healthy, Southwestern-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Quinoa Base
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup quinoa
Dressing and Seasoning
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 limes, juiced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more to taste
Salad Mix-ins
- 1 ½ cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 5 green onions, finely chopped
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa: Rinse the quinoa under cold water to remove any bitterness. In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, lime juice, ground cumin, salt, and red pepper flakes until well combined. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Combine the salad ingredients: Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork and transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Add the halved cherry tomatoes, black beans, chopped green onions, and fresh cilantro.
- Toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated. Taste and season with additional salt and ground black pepper as needed.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing main or side dish.
Notes
- For added crunch, consider topping the salad with toasted nuts or seeds.
- You can substitute black beans with chickpeas or kidney beans if preferred.
- This salad stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it ideal for meal prep.
- For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes or add diced jalapeños.
- To make it vegan and gluten-free, ensure all ingredients are certified accordingly.
Keywords: quinoa salad, healthy salad, black bean salad, lime quinoa salad, easy quinoa recipe, vegetarian salad, gluten free salad