Quinoa and black bean salad is a flavorful and nourishing dish perfect for a quick and easy lunch or dinner. Packed with protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals, this salad is a tasty and satisfying way to fuel your body. Plus, it’s incredibly simple to make and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and dressing.

This blog post will show you how to make quinoa and black bean salad with mixed vegetables, avocado, and a lemon vinaigrette. This recipe serves 4-6 people and can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (such as cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumber), diced
• 1 avocado, diced
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Rinse the quinoa under cold water in a fine mesh strainer.
2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the quinoa and cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Drain the quinoa and let it cool.
3. Combine the cooled quinoa, black beans, mixed vegetables, and avocado in a large bowl.
4. Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl to make the vinaigrette.
5. Pour the vinaigrette over the quinoa and bean mixture and toss to combine.
6. Serve the salad immediately, or refrigerate until ready to eat.

Optional Add-Ins:

• Grilled chicken or tofu: Adding a protein source, such as grilled chicken or tofu, can make this salad a more satisfying and complete meal.
• Fresh herbs: Chopped fresh herbs, such as cilantro or parsley, can add a burst of flavor to this salad.
• Feta cheese: A sprinkle of feta cheese can add a tangy, salty flavor to this salad.
• Roasted nuts: Chopped nuts, such as almonds or cashews, can add a crunchy texture and boost healthy fats to this salad.

Tips for Success:

• Use pre-rinsed quinoa: If you’re short on time, you can use pre-rinsed quinoa, which has already been washed and is ready to cook. This can save you a step and help the quinoa cook more quickly.
• Cook the quinoa in advance: If you’re planning to make this salad for lunch or dinner, you can cook the quinoa in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. This can help save time when you’re preparing the salad.
• Customize the vegetables: Feel free to use your favorite vegetables in this salad. You can also use frozen vegetables if you don’t have fresh ones on hand.
• Make a big batch: This quinoa and black bean salad is perfect for meal prep. Make a large batch and divide it into individual containers for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week.

Quinoa and black bean salad is a delicious and nourishing dish that is perfect for a quick and easy lunch or dinner. By combining cooked quinoa, black beans, mixed vegetables, and avocado and tossing them with a simple lemon vinaigrette, you can create a flavorful and satisfying salad in no time. Customize this recipe with your favorite vegetables and add-ins to make it your own. See our recipe category