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Home » Recipes » Salad Recipes

Southwestern Quinoa Salad Recipe

Published: Jan 16, 2021 · Modified: Mar 1, 2021 by Colleen 47 Comments

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Quinoa Salad in a white bowl topped with avocado slices.
A bowl of salad on a white table with two wooden salad spoons and a small dish of lime wedges.

This flavourful, slightly spicy Southwestern Quinoa Salad is a delicious meal or side dish that I know you're going to love.

Southwestern quinoa salad in a white bowl topped with avocado slices.

How Do I Know You'll Love This Salad?

This quinoa salad is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian. But even if those things are not a concern for you, you'll love it because it's just plain delicious. It's also hearty, filling, and nutritious. And versatile: a southwestern quinoa salad is perfect for meal prep, pot lucks, side dishes or just as a meal on its own.

It couldn't be any simpler to make, and this recipe makes enough salad for eight full servings. This means you may have leftovers, which will keep all week in the fridge, so it's ideal for quick lunches or dinners, too. 

A bowl of salad on a white table with two wooden salad spoons and a small dish of lime wedges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What You'll Need to Make This Recipe:

Quinoa

Quinoa comes in white, red, black, and tricolour. Other than colour, there is very little difference between the varieties. I like to choose red, black, or tri-coloured quinoa when the colour will stand out in a dish. Because this is a vibrant salad by itself, I used white quinoa. Feel free to use whatever quinoa variety that you have on hand or prefer. 

Black Beans

Canned black beans are super convenient, and that's what I'm using for this quinoa salad. 

Corn

Canned or frozen corn kernels work equally well here. If you're using frozen corn, simply run the frozen kernels under cold water to quickly defrost, then add them to the salad.

Grape Tomatoes

Grape tomatoes are the perfect size for halving and using here because they have thick skin and will hold their shape without making the salad soggy. This is especially important if you want to have leftovers. You can also use whole cherry tomatoes, too. Or you can substitute sweet bell pepper, diced.

Red Onion

Red Onion is ideal for salads because they have a milder flavour than yellow onions. You can substitute shallots, green onions (use both the white and green parts), or sweet onions. Learn about using different onion varieties raw in salads, plus a trick for making them less pungent: Using Raw Onions In Salads

The ingredients to make Southwestern Quinoa Salad

 

What You Need To Make The Chilli Lime Dressing

Olive Oil

Salads are where your good extra virgin olive oil is going to shine, and if you have it, use it. It's ok to use regular olive oil though if that's what you have.

Lime Juice

It wouldn't be a Southwestern salad without lime juice!  The juice of one lime is about 2 tablespoons, which is exactly what you need for the recipe.

Honey

Honey adds the perfect sweet contrast to tart lime and spicy chilli powder in this dressing. The only real substitute for honey that makes sense in a Southwestern recipe is agave nectar. Using agave nectar in place of honey will also make this a vegan recipe. Because agave nectar is sweeter and more liquid than honey, use just half the amount of agave nectar as honey in the recipe if substituting.

Chilli Powder

Chilli powders vary greatly as far a spice. This recipe, with two tablespoons of a mildly spiced chilli powder, has just the right amount of kick so that even spice intolerant folks should be ok with it. Be sure to taste, and dial your heat up or down, depending on how you like it. You can also substitute a good taco seasoning for the chilli powder.

Cilantro

Cilantro; you either love it or you hate it. If you are in the latter camp, you can substitute parsley, or just omit it. If you are a cilantro fan, but don't have fresh on hand, use two teaspoons of dried cilantro in place of the fresh. (Be sure to taste and add more if you like).

 

Ingredients to Make Chili Lime Dressing

 

How to Cook Perfect Quinoa

This Southwestern Quinoa Salad is based on quinoa, which you will, of course, need to cook first. Luckily, quinoa is incredibly easy to cook. Here are just a few tips.

  • Always rinse quinoa before cooking. The grain's natural coating, called saponin, can make it taste bitter when cooked. Just put the uncooked quinoa in a strainer or sieve, and run it under cold water for a few minutes.
  • One cup of dry quinoa equals about three cups cooked. 
  • Use two cups of water (or broth, or other liquid) for every cup of dry quinoa.
  • Bring quinoa and liquid to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. The grains should be tender and the liquid absorbed. 
  • Remove from heat and allow to stand for 5 minutes, covered.
  • Remove the lid and fluff with a fork. 
  • Allow the quinoa to cool if you are using it in a salad, like this Southwestern quinoa salad, or Sweet Potato Quinoa Chickpea Salad

A bowl of Southwestern Quinoa Salad topped with avocado slices with a wooden fork.

 

Just a Few Simple Steps To Make This Southwestern Quinoa Salad:

It couldn't be any easier to make this recipe. Just three steps!

  1. Put all of the salad ingredients together in a large bowl and toss gently to combine.

Tossing salad ingredients together in a large bowl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2) Whisk the dressing ingredients together.

Dressing ingredients being whisked together in a glass bowl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3) Pour salad dressing over the salad and stir to combine.

Salad dressing being stirred into salad ingredients in a glass bowl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Try Some Delicious Optional Salad Additions

Here are a few optional additions to make this Southwestern quinoa salad even tastier:

  • Avocado; sliced or cubed, added just before serving
  • Cucumber; cut into 1" quarter slices
  • Jalapeno; fresh slices, or pickled
  • Roasted red pepper
  • Sun-dried tomato
  • Hot sauce; any Mexican or Southwestern hot sauce

How to Serve Southwestern Quinoa Salad

Although this salad is perfection just as it is, it also makes a delicious side dish. Try serving it alongside a burger, like Southwestern Bean & Lentil Veggie Burgers, or Chipotle BLT Cheeseburgers. It will also make a perfect accompaniment for Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Turkey Tacos with Mango Salsa or Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Thighs.

A white bowl filled with salad on a table, with lime wedges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quinoa Salad in a white bowl topped with avocado slices.

Southwestern Quinoa Salad

Quinoa makes a perfect base for this hearty, nutritious and delicious salad. With black beans, corn, tomatoes and a sweet/spicy chilli lime dressing. Perfect for meal prep, lunch, dinner, side dish or pot luck.
5 from 24 votes
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Course: Salad
Cuisine: Southwestern
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 113kcal
Author: Colleen Milne

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1 cup quinoa cooked and cooled
  • 1 15 0z can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 12 oz can corn drained
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
  • ½ cup red onion finely diced
  • ¼ cup cilantro chopped

Dressing

  • ¼ cup olive oil extra virgin
  • 2 tablespoon lime juice one lime
  • 2 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon chilli powder or more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Combine quinoa, beans, corn, tomatoes, onion and cilantro in a large bowl.
  • Whisk the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl
  • Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients
  • Stir gently to combine dressing with salad ingredients
  • Serve with avocado or other optional ingredients, and extra lime wedges.

Notes

Store leftovers, refrigerated, in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Make it Vegan: substitute 1 tablespoon of agave nectar for the honey in the chilli lime dressing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 113kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 81mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 263IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AmyG

    January 25, 2021 at 3:42 pm

    Colleen, I'm loving this idea. Always on the hunt for great salad ideas and you've done it again - Oops!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      January 25, 2021 at 4:15 pm

      Thanks, Amy! 😊 I hope you love this one as much as we do!

      Reply
  2. Terri

    January 25, 2021 at 3:49 am

    What a fantastic twist on quinoa salad! It’s one of my fave salads so I’ll definitely be making this one!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      January 25, 2021 at 4:13 pm

      We just love this salad, Terri, so I hope you do, too!

      Reply
  3. Kristen

    January 24, 2021 at 6:37 pm

    I will have a quinoa salad any time of the day, this is perfect for weekday lunches and daycare too!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      January 25, 2021 at 4:13 pm

      I agree, Kristen, kids really seem to love this and it's great for daycare or lunches. Enjoy!

      Reply
  4. Amanda Dixon

    January 24, 2021 at 1:01 pm

    This quinoa salad was wonderful! It's so easy to whip up, and it's so hearty and satisfying. I love how the dressing was so simple but still ultra flavorful.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      January 24, 2021 at 1:22 pm

      Hi Amanda, I'm so thrilled that you loved the recipe as much as we do. Enjoy!

      Reply
  5. Addison

    January 24, 2021 at 12:45 pm

    I love these flavors! This is the perfect appetizer or side dish!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      January 24, 2021 at 1:20 pm

      So happy that you love this recipe, Addison!

      Reply
  6. Sabrina

    January 24, 2021 at 10:54 am

    So delicious! It’s so easy too, thank you for this great recipe.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      January 24, 2021 at 11:41 am

      Hi Sabrina, You're very welcome. I'm so happy that you loved this delicious salad. Cheers.

      Reply
  7. NANCY

    January 24, 2021 at 10:27 am

    love this healthy salad!! every ingredient is my favourite 🙂

    Reply
    • Colleen

      January 24, 2021 at 11:41 am

      So happy that you loved it, Nancy! I hope it becomes a go-to for you!

      Reply
  8. Ramona

    January 23, 2021 at 2:18 pm

    This southwestern quinoa looks so healthy and full of flavour which I am very happy about! I need to make this for me and my family tomorrow. Thank you for sharing this recipe, i cant wait to try it out!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      January 23, 2021 at 4:23 pm

      Hi Ramona, You're welcome! I hope you and you're family will love it and I would love to hear how it went. Cheers!

      Reply
  9. Kate

    January 23, 2021 at 2:07 pm

    Thanks for sharing this salad recipe. I love using Quinoa and will try this delicious looking salad very soon.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      January 23, 2021 at 2:15 pm

      You're very welcome, Kate! I know you'll love this one! Enjoy.

      Reply
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