This flavourful, slightly spicy Southwestern Quinoa Salad is a delicious meal or side dish that I know you're going to love.
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.
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
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).
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
Just a Few Simple Steps To Make This Southwestern Quinoa Salad:
It couldn't be any easier to make this recipe. Just three steps!
- Put all of the salad ingredients together in a large bowl and toss gently to combine.
2) Whisk the dressing ingredients together.
3) Pour salad dressing over the salad and stir to combine.
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.
Recipe
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Southwestern Quinoa Salad
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.
FOODHEAL
Quinoa and beans combo is one of my favorite dishes, I can eat it all the time and never feel satisfied. Adding corn makes it even sweeter, and I can imagine the spicy sauce. Oh! now I am going to make this salad...
Colleen
Enjoy! I know you're going to love it!
Veronika
I love this simple and delicious salad! So much flavor packed in one meal! Cannot wait to try it!
Colleen
You'll love it, Veronika! Enjoy!
Adriana
Quinoa is so versatile goes well with so many different flavors. The southwestern twist is a great idea that makes it a familiar dish for my family.
Colleen
Hi Adriana! I'm super happy that your family loved this salad! Thanks for letting me know.
Sharon
This is a delicious quinoa salad with tons of flavor. The dressing is the perfect topping for this too.
Colleen
So glad you loved it, Sharon! Thanks for sharing.
Marta
I had some quinoa lurking in the pantry so I was happy to stumble upon your recipe. I topped the salad with marinated chicken and my family thought it was a hit.
Colleen
Hi Marta. This quinoa salad makes a perfect side dish, as you found out. So happy that it was a hit with your fam!
Vanessa
What a fantastic, flavourful recipe for lunch! I love having something healthy like this ready to go in the fridge.
Colleen
I'm with you, Vanessa. It's great to have a healthy lunch already made. So happy you loved it!
Lauren Vavala
I love southwestern flavors like this. This quinoa recipe is beautiful and looks amazing!
Colleen
Thanks, Lauren! It's delicious, I hope you give it a try!
Bernice Hill
How wonderful! I love all of the bright colours and flavours in this salad. I just want to take a spoon and dig right in. Pinning for later!
Colleen
I hope you love it, Bernice. Enjoy!
Elaine
Loved all those Southwestern flavours! The dressing is to die for, too. I made this to go with an open-faced beyond-meat burger and we had enough leftover for lunches the next day! Thanks for a great recipe.
Colleen
Hi Elaine, I'm so happy that you enjoyed this delicious salad. I love that it keeps in the fridge for lunches, too.
Sharon
We loved it! I did use the tri-colour quinoa as it's my favourite for texture. The dressing was perfect - I adore chili lime and the touch of honey added just the right amount of sweetness. Great for meal prep with the leftovers portioned out for lunches. Thanks for the great recipe!
Colleen
You're welcome, Sharon. I'm so glad you enjoyed this salad as much as we do!
Roxana
What a filling, healthy and flavorful salad. Great idea for lunch tomorrow.
Jere Cassidy
There is nothing better than a colorful salad full of all kinds of great ingredients. I am so making this for the family and that salad dressing sounds delicious with the honey and all the spices.
Colleen
Hi Jere, I know you and your family will love this salad! Enjoy!
Eden
Just when I needed more side dish recipes, this came in clutch! So good and so easy to make!
Colleen
Hi Eden, I'm so glad that you liked it and it really is so easy, right? Thanks for letting me know!
Jenn
The flavors in this dish are amazing! I had to make it as soon as I saw it and I'm in love. It was so pretty, too!
Colleen
Hi Jenn, I'm so happy that you loved this as much as we do! Thanks for letting me know!
Vicky
So excited to try this salad! The colors and flavors look AMAZING!!!
Colleen
Hi Vicky. I know you'll love this salad. Please let me know what you think!