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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Southwest Quinoa Salad

    Published: May 7, 2018 · Modified: Jan 11, 2020 by Ashlee Welter · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 9 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Southwest quinoa salad is flavorful, easy to make and packed with healthy ingredients! This easy salad recipe is a Mexican inspired dish that the whole family will love!

    Southwest Quinoa salad

    Have you ever wondered what else you can do with quinoa, besides just eat it plain? This salad is a great way to dress up your normal quinoa dish! This can be eaten as a side dish or a main entree. This recipe tastes great cold, however it can also be served warm!

    Is Southwest Quinoa Salad healthy?

    • This salad contains olive oil, which is considered a healthy fat. Olive oil and other healthy fats help your body better absorb the vitamins found in the vegetables.
    • Southwest Quinoa Salad provides 9 grams of protein per serving. The quinoa and black beans provide protein.
    • This quinoa salad contains 6.1 grams of fiber per serving. The black beans are a great source of fiber!
    • Find out more health benefits of quinoa!

    Let's make some quinoa salad

    Start by rinsing the quinoa if indicated on the package. Quinoa must be rinsed because it is often coated with something called Saponin. This gives quinoa a bitter taste. I use a fine strainer called a seive. It has very fine holes which prevents the quinoa from going through the cracks, yet still allows you to wash it.

    quinoa for southwest quinoa salad

    Cook and cool your quinoa according to directions on the package. Once the quinoa has cooled, mix in the diced peppers, scallions, tomatoes and black beans.

    southwest quinoa salad ingredients

    In a separate small mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, lime juice, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder and onion powder. Mix until combined. Mixing these ingredients separately will ensure they are evenly mixed into the salad.

    Once the spice mixture is combined, pour over the quinoa and bean mixture. Mix gently until evenly coated. Serve cold!

    southwest quinoa salad with chicken
    southwest quinoa salad

    Southwest Quinoa Salad

    Ashlee Welter
    This isn't your typical salad! Southwest Quinoa salad is a Mexican inspired salad bursting with flavor and nutrition!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 230 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup quinoa uncooked
    • 2 cups water
    • 1 large red bell pepper
    • ½ cup scallions, chopped
    • 1 can (15 oz) black beans drained and rinsed
    • 4 roma tomatoes
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • 2 teaspoon cumin
    • 2 teaspoon chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ tsp onion powder
    • juice from 1 lime

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse quinoa in a sieve until water runs clear.
    • Combine quinoa and water in a medium sauce pan. Bring to boil. Once boiling, simmer for 20 minutes over low heat. Set aside to cool.
    • Dice the tomatoes, scallions and red bell peppers.
    • Add the diced tomatoes, scallions and peppers to the cooked and cooled quinoa.
    • Add the drained and rinsed black beans.
    • In a separate bowl, combine olive oil, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder and lime juice. Mix well.
    • Pour over quinoa mixture.
    • Mix until salad is evenly coated.

    Notes

    Calories: 230
    Protein: 8.2g
    Total Fat: 9.1g
    Saturated Fat: 1.0g
    Monounsaturated Fat: 5.0g
    Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.8g
    Sodium: 304 mg
    Fiber: 6.1g
    Nutrition facts may vary based on product brands used. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 230kcal
    Tried this recipe?Mention @pinchofwellness or tag #pinchofwellness!

    Check out these other tasty sides!

    • Cheesecake fruit salad is a healthier side dish for those with a sweet tooth!
    • Creamy salsa dip is a great way to eat more veggies!
    • Scalloped Potatoes (gluten free) are a classic favorite!

    More Side Dishes

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    Comments

    1. Faye says

      September 27, 2022 at 11:55 am

      5 stars
      Turned out great!

      Reply
      • Ashlee Welter says

        September 28, 2022 at 8:38 am

        Woohoo!

        Reply
    2. Susan says

      October 24, 2021 at 2:16 pm

      Add in avocado, blueberries, pistachios, roasted sunflower seeds, corn, Costco no salt seasonings, red onion, EVOO!! Always in the frig. Add on top of salad greens, roasted veggies, broccoli coleslaw,…..!!

      Reply
    3. chefkreso says

      June 20, 2018 at 7:33 pm

      Sounds like a refreshing summer salad, perfect for a work lunch 🙂

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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    ashlee welter pinch of wellness

    Hi, I'm Ashlee! I'm a Registered Dietitian with over 12 years of experience in nutrition, cooking, and health! I am an expert in developing gluten free and healthy recipes!

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