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Healthy Quinoa & Black Bean Salad

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 Healthy Quinoa & Black Bean Salad with a touch of spice, and a ton of flavor. Make ahead for a great lunch or dinner!

This is a great make-ahead lunch or dinner and is perfect for …. right now. GREAT to have in the fridge for dinner when you get home after work!

It has a bit of a kick to it, thanks to the fresh jalapenos, but if you can’t handle that – just leave it out, or reduce the amount.

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Baked chicken breast over quinoa & black bean salad on white plate with glass of water and white bowl of remaining salad surrounding on white table.I personally like a little heat, but like to still have feeling in my tastebuds  – I do go easy on the jalapeno. If you can handle it – add more!Overhead shot tow bell peppers, lime, jalapeno, red onion, garlic clove, cilantro, and quinoa, black beans, and more cilantro in glass bowls on white table.

I make a batch of this on the weekend, and eat it over the next few days. The flavors improve in the days after it was made, making this a winner for me! Healthy quinoa is SUPER filling, too.

Chicken breast over quinoa & black bean salad on white plate with more salad in white serving bowl in background on white table.

Throwing a container of this in my bag for work, means I’ve got a healthy and yummy lunch that keeps me full and satisfied much longer than a burger and fries!

Want more healthy recipe ideas? Of course you do!

Super Healthy Black Bean and Quinoa Salad

Healthy Quinoa & Black Bean Salad with a touch of spice, and a ton of flavor. Make ahead for a great lunch or dinner!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Side
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Kylee Cooks
Want to scale this recipe?Simply click on the serving amount and move the slider up or down - the recipe will automatically adjust!

Ingredients

For salad:

  • 1/2 cup quinoa
  • 1 cup vegetable stock
  • 2 cans black beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups arugula
  • 1 cup red/yellow bell peppers diced
  • 1 cup cilantro washed and rough chopped
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion
  • 2 tsp jalapeno diced finely (optional)

For dressing:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 2 tsp garlic minced
  • zest of 1 lime
  • 2 tsp pepper
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp coriander

Instructions

Make the dressing

  • Whisk dressing ingredients together and set aside.

Cook the quinoa

  • Heat the broth into a small saucepan until boiling, add quinoa and simmer gently until all the liquid is absorbed. Set aside to cool.

Assemble the salad

  • Add cooled quinoa, beans, arugula, bell peppers, cilantro, onion and jalapeno (if using).
  • Pour the dressing over the top, and mix well until fully combined.
  • Set aside in the refrigerator until serving time, or ...
  • Devour. 
Tried this recipe?Mention @kyleecooks or tag #kyleecooks!

Collage with chicken breast of quinoa & black bean salad on white plate with more salad in white bowl in background at top and white serving bowl filled with salad at bottom.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. This sounds like the perfect recipe for summer. I love black bean salads and adding the quinoa must take it to a whole new level.

    Reply

  5. This is so colorful and pretty! I love black beans but my kids are still getting use to the idea of quinoa. So this might work great… you know mix it with their favorite black beans. Yum. !

    Reply

  6. I love all the colors in the nutritious salad. The beans add extra protein and fiber and the peppers are so good for you plus add the eye appeal. This would be a great alternative to pasta salad. So yummy and good for you.

    Reply

  7. This recipe has a little bit of everything I like. Fresh vegetables, herbs, and quinoa are some of my summers must have ingredients. These photos are gorgeous and it sounds like something a 5-star restaurant would serve, yum!

    Reply

  9. You made a perfect colorful and healthy black bean salad. I like black bean never thought of adding quinoa to it. with that chicken it is perfect simple meal.

    Reply

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