Quinoa Black Bean Salad
This vegetarian dish of quinoa, black beans, corn, and zucchini is perfect for a dinner side dish or a nutritious lunch on the go!
Served warm or chilled, this recipe for Quinoa Black Bean Salad is full of yummy nutrition. It combines the superpower of quinoa, protein from black beans, and vitamin-packed veggies… paired with the delicious tang of a homemade dressing. Top it off with crumbled goat cheese if you’re feeling extra decadent!
Come, let’s start eating lunch so we can go to the Apple Store, I urged my son. Is that were you can buy all kinds of apples? Despite his naiveté, I burst out laughing. Seriously, mom, is it? he persisted innocently. As soon as I had a chance to regroup and look at his innocent eyes, I had to give him a hug and explained that no, we needed to go to the Apple computer store, to see if they could fix my laptop.
I just love moments like these.
Our day was a busy one – we were running a day behind on errands and playing catch up. I have been battling a summer cold and have been wavering between craving wholesome foods and bars of chocolate. For lunch yesterday, I wanted something quick and light but packed with nutrients. This big bowl of Quinoa Black Bean & Corn Salad was just what I was looking for.
Quinoa as a superfood is old news by now, but one that bears repeating, at least for myself. I have been trying to incorporate it into my diet more, and can’t get enough of its nutty flavor and light texture. Paired with black beans, corn, as well as summer zucchini, my salad is an awesome side dish, but even better as a quick lunch when I’m on the go.
And with that, my son and I were off to see the Apple Geniuses. If only they did have a store that sold just apples!
More Ways to Use Quinoa
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Quinoa Crusted Eggplant Parmigiana
Chocolate Banana Quinoa Muffins | Simple Sundays
Quinoa Salad with Roasted Red Beets, Oranges and Pomegranate
One Bowl Meals
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Spicy Fish Taco Bowls with Cabbage Slaw
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Soba Noodles and Chicken with Spicy Peanut Sauce
Quinoa Black Bean Salad
Ingredients
For the quinoa:
- 1 cup quinoa uncooked
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 large shallots minced
- 1 cup water
- 2 medium zucchini cut into 1/2 inch pieces (optional)
- 2 cups corn kernels fresh or frozen
For the dressing:
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Sherry vinegar
- 1 tablespoon minced shallot
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper ground
- 1/3 cup olive oil
For the salad:
- 1 14 oz can black beans drained
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup goat cheese crumbled
- arugula optional
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium low heat. Cook shallots until slightly transparent, about 2 minutes.
- Add quinoa, zucchini and corn, and stir until coated and glossy.
- Stir in the water and bring to a boil. Cover and lower heat to a simmer, and let it cook for 10 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed.
- Remove from heat allow to cool.
- Make the dressing by combining the tablespoon of shallot with lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, mint, cilantro, salt, pepper and olive oil in a small bowl, whisking well to combine.
- Toss the dressing into the quinoa, along with the black beans and sunflower seeds.
- Serve the salad warm, at room temperature, or chilled, with a crumbling of goat cheese and arugula, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Comments
COOKBOOK
So we’re both on a quinoa kick lately. I made a quinoa salad, too, recently (and the quinoa cakes, as you know) and wondered why I don’t use it in the kitchen more often. I really like your version, Liren. I thought about adding corn to my cakes and after seeing your beautiful salad, I think it would work. I love everything you added to this. Will have to borrow your recipe to use up the rest of my quinoa. :)
Liren, this salad sounds light, refreshing and satisfying. I have family coming to visit for a week. I’m going to make it while they are here.
What a delicious salad – and healthy, too! I have to start a healthy “diet” so I can lose 15 pounds before I go back to work in January 2013. This will be in my menu, for sure!
Great looking salad, very filling, healthy and tasty! Beautiful pics!
I wish you wonderful relaxing weekend!
This looks so tasty and healthy, very nice indeed.
What a great healthy recipe! I often eat salads for lunch, and I’m saving this one!
Love a great Quinoa salad and yours looks super tasty. Love how your son thought you were buying apples – that is classic! Smile. Just finished reading the Steve Jobs book and it is quite interesting to learn how the Apple Stores came into existence. Hope your Saturday is going well!
I am such a big fan of quinoa ~ this looks delish!
This dish looks very tasty. Definitely worth a try. Although I am still looking for Quinoa. I cannot find it anywhere in Germany…
– Annika
Hope you are feeling better, Liren! Chocolate bars are certainly a good place to start when one needs a pick-me-up :).
I’ve tried quinoa several times but haven’t fallen in love with it yet. This healthy salad inspires me to try again! I’ll add a handful of sliced tomatoes from the garden too.