Description
Looking for a vibrant, healthy, and satisfying dish? This Sweet Corn and Black Bean Quinoa Salad is the perfect choice for anyone craving bold flavors and wholesome ingredients. Whether you’re after a quick lunch, easy dinner, or refreshing meal prep idea, this gluten-free, plant-based salad has you covered. Packed with juicy cherry tomatoes, protein-rich quinoa and black beans, crunchy bell peppers, and a citrusy lime dressing, it’s everything you want in a salad—zesty, filling, and seriously delicious. Ideal for healthy snacks, dinner ideas, or easy recipes that don’t compromise on flavor.
Ingredients
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups water
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans
1 1/2 cups sweet corn kernels
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup lime juice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: 1 avocado, diced
Optional: crumbled feta or cotija cheese
Optional: jalapeño slices
Instructions
1. Rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold water.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 15 minutes or until fluffy. Cool completely.
3. While quinoa cooks, chop all vegetables and prepare corn.
4. In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
5. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, black beans, corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, and cilantro.
6. Pour dressing over salad and gently toss to combine.
7. Fold in avocado, cheese, or jalapeños if using.
8. Chill for at least 15 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Notes
Rinse quinoa well before cooking to avoid bitterness.
Cool quinoa completely before mixing to preserve the crispness of veggies.
For added flavor, grill the corn before adding it in.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: quinoa salad, healthy salad, black bean corn salad, easy recipe, lunch salad, gluten-free