Description
This Sweet Corn and Black Bean Quinoa Salad is a fresh, colorful, and protein-packed dish made with fluffy quinoa, black beans, sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, crisp red onion, fresh cilantro, and a bright lime dressing. Perfect for meal prep, summer BBQs, healthy lunches, or as a flavorful side dish, this easy salad comes together quickly and tastes even better after chilling.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 2 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1½ cups sweet corn (fresh, canned, or frozen and thawed)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (or 2 Roma tomatoes, diced)
- ½ cup diced red onion
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 avocado, diced (optional)
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water.
- In a saucepan, combine quinoa and water (or vegetable broth). Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and let the quinoa rest for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork. Allow it to cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, black beans, corn, tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and avocado if using.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill for at least 20–30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
- Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges if desired.
Notes
- Rinse quinoa before cooking to remove its natural bitterness.
- Frozen corn works perfectly after thawing.
- For extra smoky flavor, use grilled corn.
- Add diced jalapeño for a spicy kick.
- This salad tastes even better the next day.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American / Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1½ cups) Calories: 285
- Calories: 285 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 285 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg