A salad that is easily portable and perfect for lunches or as a side dish to your main dish, Southwestern Quinoa Salad is packed with flavor, protein, and fiber.

Southwestern Quinoa Salad is one of my favorite salad recipes packed with black beans and mango in a citrusy vinaigrette. The colors in this quinoa salad recipe are vibrant and it is packed with plant protein and fiber in each serving. This vegan salad is perfect for picnics, barbecues, and potlucks

The lime dressing that goes over this southwest quinoa salad is tangy, a little sweet, with a touch of heat and it is a delicious combination with the cilantro in the salad.

Overhead image of Southwest quinoa salad.

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❤️ Why you'll love it
🥘 Ingredients
🔪 Instructions
🥄 Equipment
🥫Storage
💭 Tips
📚 Related Recipes
🍽 Serve with…
🏫 The last word
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love it

✔️ This cold quinoa salad makes the perfect portable lunch salad.

✔️ Each serving of this southwestern quinoa salad recipe has 8 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber!

✔️ Quinoa salad recipes are perfect for those looking to add a healthy nutrition packed side dish to the menu.

🥘 Ingredients

Uncooked quinoa, there are several types of quinoa out there, but I prefer to use the white quinoa for this recipe so all the colors remain vibrant.

Canned black beans, added for protein and fiber

Red bell pepper, adds color and freshess

Mango, used in place of corn in the original salad.

Onion, adds flavor

Fresh cilantro, adds flavor, parsley can be used by those who don't like cilantro.

Lime, choose fresh limes that have give when squeezed to be sure to get one with a good amount of juice.

Grapeseed oil, an excellent oil to use in making the dressing. Mild in flavor and provides plenty of vitamin E.

Cayenne pepper, an optional ingredient adds a touch of heat to the recipe.

Sugar and salt to balance out the flavors.

🔪 Instructions

In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring 1 cup of water to boil. Add quinoa and bring to a boil, immediately reduce heat and simmer for 12 minutes, or until all water is absorbed. Remove the quinoa from the heat heat and place in large bowl to cool.
Once the quinoa has cooled completely, add the black beans, red bell pepper, mano, onion, and cilantro. Toss to combine.
In a small bowl, using a hand whisk or a fork, whisk together the grapeseed oil, cayenne pepper (if using), sugar, salt, and lime juice. Pour over quinoa mixture and toss to coat.

🥄 Equipment

Large saucepan
Cutting board
Chef knife
Strainer
Mixing bowls

🥫Storage

Store any leftover quinoa salad in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days.

📖 Variations

Remove the lime zest before juicing the lime and toss zest into the salad mixture.
Substitute sugar free sweetener for the sugar, or leave it out entirely.
Use ½ teaspoon chili powder or chili lime seasoning in place of the cayenne pepper.
Use halved cherry tomatoes in place of the red bell pepper.
Red quinoa can be used in place of white quinoa.
Make it a true southwest salad and add 1 cup of corn in place of the mango.
Red onion can be used in place of white onion.

💭 Tips

If you would like to add more flavor to the quinoa, substitute vegetable broth for the water when cooking.
Add more protein to the salad and make it a main dish salad by adding 2 cups chopped cooked chicken or shrimp.

Try this delicious Sweet Chili Lime Tofu for a vegetarian meal with sweet heat.

Cookies are good for breakfast when they are these Apricot Cashew Quinoa Breakfast Cookies!

These Southwestern Cheddar Steak Fries go great your favorite grilled protein.

🍽 Serve with…

Serve this healthy southwest quinoa salad alongside your favorite grilled steak, chicken, or seafood.

🏫 The last word

Quinoa is considered a "superfood" due to its nutritional qualities. One cup of cooked quinoa provides 8 grams of protein, 4 grams of fat, and 5 grams of fiber. It is a plant proteins that is a complete protein and a healthy way to boost the protein intake for those looking to do so.

A true southwest salad will have corn in it, however, I wanted to add a little more sweetness and changed the original recipe to include mango in place of corn.

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When you make this Southwestern Quinoa Salad recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!

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📖 Recipe