Southwest Quinoa Salad with Black Beans, Mango and Avocado

This Southwest Quinoa Salad with black beans, mango and avocado is a scrumptious facet salad for potlucks, events and summertime picnics. The cumin, lime and cilantro dressing is flavorful and brilliant and pairs so nicely with the quinoa and recent, wholesome substances! This recipe is hearty sufficient to function a vegan essential course for dinner or lunch.

I initially shared this salad on April 22, 2016. I've up to date the pictures and textual content to share it with you once more at this time. The recipe stays unchanged.

Why We Love This Recipe For Southwest Quinoa Salad

One in all my favourite methods to eat in the summertime is to make a giant batch of a hearty and wholesome salad, after which toss stuff on the grill. It’s such a straightforward approach of planning our dinner menus and I really like that numerous the work might be carried out prematurely to suit my schedule. As an added bonus, I attempt to plan it so there's sufficient leftover salad for lunches too. It’s a win win!

Some favourite salads I make usually embody my Chickpea Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing, this hearty Mediterranean Quinoa Salad and this Mexican 4 Bean Salad. And naturally there’s additionally this Southwest Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Mango that I've been making for years! It by no means disappoints.

The zippy lime dressing with cumin and cilantro enhances the candy mango, creamy avocado and earthy black beans. What’s extra, the nourishing and satisfying quinoa serves as the right backdrop for the salad. Not solely is quinoa thought-about a superfood, however it's excessive in fiber and protein! Which means this salad, whereas it's vegan, is hearty sufficient to function a essential course.

And I must also say, this Black Bean and Mango Quinoa Salad recipe is a giant hit at cookouts, potlucks and yard picnics. I really like serving it as a result of it's not solely gluten-free but in addition plant-based, so just about everybody can get pleasure from it!

Components For This Recipe

Quinoa

You need to use both white quinoa or purple quinoa (or a mix.) Begin with uncooked dry quinoa and rinse it. Except the bundle says that it's pre-rinsed it's best to rinse it first to take away any residue that can style bitter. To take action, place it in a fine-mesh sieve and let cool water run by means of it for a minute or two. As soon as the bubbles subside it's cleaned off. 

Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice and Olive Oil

As a result of this salad has a Southwestern and Mexican theme to it, I selected lime juice because the acid for the dressing. Taking the time to juice the lime from recent makes a giant taste distinction. I additionally used olive oil as a result of it has heart-healthy fat and its recent taste goes so nicely within the dressing.

Seasonings: Cumin, Garlic and Salt

So as to add earthy Southwest taste to the dressing I additionally added in floor cumin. It actually compliments and brings out the nutty taste within the quinoa.  

I salted the dressing closely to make it simpler. So no have to salt the quinoa because it cooks. 

I exploit grated garlic for the dressing for this salad. I like the best way it melts into the dressing and doesn’t go away any large chunks. 

Canned or Cooked Black Beans

For ease, I like to make use of canned beans. Simply make sure that to empty them and rinse them clear. It's also possible to use 1 1/2 cups of cooked beans if you happen to wish to cook dinner beans from dry. 

Mango

The mango makes this salad so particular. Peel it with a vegetable peeler and reduce the mango into cubes. 

Red bell pepper

For extra texture and colour, I added in chopped purple bell peppers. Be at liberty to decide on one other pepper colour if you don't like purple pepper. 

Jalapeno pepper

For recent spicy style, I additionally added in a recent jalapeño pepper. If you don't like spicy meals, get rid of the seeds, or you'll be able to omit the chile altogether. In case you can’t discover/ don’t have a jalapeño, sub in a pinch or two of cayenne or chipotle chile powder. 

Cilantro and Mint

I like cilantro and love including it into Mexican-influenced recipes. I really like the recent style it provides to this salad. If you don't prefer it, skip it. No have to sub in one other herb.

Just a little little bit of mint goes a good distance on this recipe. Simply 1/4 cup provides a singular taste that may be a enjoyable mixture with the mango and cilantro. 

Avocado

The avocado provides wholesome fats, creamy texture and richness to this in any other case texturally rustic and brightly seasoned salad. 

How To Make This Southwest Black Bean, Quinoa and Mango Salad

Step 1: Prepare dinner Quinoa

Convey quinoa and chilly water to a boil in a medium saucepan, cowl, cut back warmth to low to keep up a mild simmer, and cook dinner till the germ has burst and the water is absorbed 16 to twenty minutes.

Step 2: Make Dressing

In the meantime, whisk garlic, oil, lime, cumin and salt in a big bowl.

Step 3: Cool the Sizzling Quinoa within the Dressing

Scrape sizzling quinoa into the lime dressing, and stir to mix. Let cool not less than 10 minutes or coated within the fridge in a single day.

Step 4: Stir Salad Collectively

Add beans, mango, purple pepper, jalapeno, cilantro and mint to the quinoa and stir to mix. Add the avocado and gently stir it in. Serve at room temperature for the most effective taste. Or if you happen to favor chilly quinoa salad refrigerate it till it's chilly.

FAQs and Knowledgeable Suggestions

What Goes With Quinoa Salad?

Make-Forward and Meal Prep Suggestions

This recipe is nice for 3 days. The avocado does flip brown so if you're making it forward, I recommend including the avocado on the final minute. Hold it saved in an hermetic container within the fridge. 

Variations To Strive

• As an alternative of Mango, use 1 1/2 cups candy corn kernels and substitute grape tomatoes for the bell pepper. Omit the mint.
• For an added taste enhance, cook dinner the quinoa in vegetable broth as an alternative of water.
• Garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds for added crunch.
• Omit the garlic and add chopped inexperienced onions, diced purple onion or scallions as an alternative.

Extra Quinoa Recipes To Strive

Thanks a lot for studying. In case you are new right here, you might have considered trying to join my free weekly email newsletter the place I share weeknight meal plans delivered proper to your inbox. Or comply with me on Instagram. In case you make this recipe, please come again and go away a star ranking and overview! It is vitally appreciated. Pleased Cooking! ~Katie

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