Description
This Sweet Corn and Black Bean Quinoa Salad is a vibrant, protein-packed dish perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or a light lunch. With a base of fluffy quinoa, sweet corn, black beans, and a zesty lime dressing, it’s gluten-free, vegan, and loaded with flavor and texture.
Ingredients
1 cup quinoa (uncooked)
2 cups water (for cooking quinoa)
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup sweet corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup red onion, finely diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
1. Rinse 1 cup of quinoa under cold water using a fine mesh strainer.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa with 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed.
4. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool completely.
5. Meanwhile, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the red onion, and chop the cilantro.
6. If using fresh corn, steam or boil and cut the kernels off the cob. Drain canned corn if used.
7. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, black beans, corn, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro. Toss gently.
8. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, cumin, salt, and pepper.
9. Pour dressing over the salad and mix to coat everything evenly.
10. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to develop.
Notes
To reduce the bite of red onion, soak it in lime juice for 10 minutes before mixing into the salad.
Letting the salad chill before serving improves flavor integration—don’t skip the refrigeration step.
If you’re adding avocado or cheese, do so just before serving to keep textures fresh.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook after quinoa is prepared
- Cuisine: American, Plant-based
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: quinoa salad, black bean salad, healthy meal prep