This vibrant Corn and black bean quinoa salad is a warm-weather favourite in my kitchen—and never simply because it’s fast to make. It’s mild, refreshing, and stuffed with daring flavors, making it good for lunch, a cookout, or meal prep for the week. The recent Corn brings a pure sweetness that balances the zesty lime dressing and hearty beans. You’ll love how simple and customizable this recipe is!
Substances You’ll Want
Right here’s the whole lot you’ll must make this flavorful, protein-packed quinoa salad:
- Contemporary Corn (from 2 ears): Provides pure sweetness and crunch.
- Cooked Quinoa (1 cup raw = ~3 cups cooked): A fluffy base excessive in protein and gluten-free.
- Black Beans (1 can, rinsed and drained): Hearty and stuffed with fiber and protein.
- Cherry Tomatoes (1 cup, halved): Brings coloration and juiciness.
- Pink Bell Pepper (1, diced): For crunch and coloration.
- Scallions or Inexperienced Onion (2, thinly sliced): Delicate onion taste that doesn’t overpower.
- Contemporary Cilantro (2–3 tablespoons, chopped): Elective, but it surely provides brightness and a pop of natural taste.
Easy Home made Lime Dressing
This zesty dressing pulls the whole lot collectively:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of two limes
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (for a vegan possibility)
- ½ teaspoon floor cumin
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to style
The best way to Make Quinoa Salad with Corn and Beans
- Prepare dinner the quinoa and let it cool fully.
- Put together the Corn by boiling or grilling, then slice off the kernels.
- Toss collectively all of your components in a giant bowl.
- Whisk the dressing and pour over the salad.
- Chill for half-hour for the most effective taste.
Add-In Concepts for a Wholesome Summer time Salad with Quinoa and Beans
This salad is straightforward to customise based mostly on what you might have. Listed below are a couple of wholesome mix-in concepts:
- Avocado: Provides creamy texture and wholesome fat
- Roasted zucchini or eggplant Makes the salad heartier
- Crumbled feta cheese: Provides a salty, tangy kick
- Jalapeños: For spice lovers
- Shredded carrots or cucumber: For further crunch and freshness
Why This Summer time Quinoa Salad Is a Should-Attempt
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a wholesome quinoa salad recipe that works for picnics, lunchboxes, or meal prep, this one hits all the appropriate notes:
- Loaded with fiber and plant-based protein
- Gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly
- Simple to double or triple for a crowd
- Good for utilizing up recent summer time produce
- Vibrant, daring flavors that style even higher the following day
Kitchen Instruments You’ll Want
Hold issues easy with these fundamental kitchen instruments:
- Sharp knife and chopping board
- Medium pot for cooking quinoa
- Giant mixing bowl
- Mason jar or whisk for mixing the dressing
- Hermetic storage containers for leftovers
Meal Prep and Storage Suggestions for Quinoa Salads
This gluten-free quinoa salad recipe is ideal for weekly meal prep. Right here’s the way to retailer it:
- Retailer in a sealed container within the fridge for as much as 4 days
- The flavors get higher because it sits, so it’s good for make-ahead lunches
- Keep away from freezing—recent veggies like tomatoes and peppers don’t maintain up effectively when thawed
The best way to Serve Your Quinoa Salad
This dish is tremendous versatile. Listed below are a couple of concepts for the way to get pleasure from it:
- As a fundamental dish for a lightweight lunch
- As a aspect salad for grilled hen, fish, or tofu
- Stuffed into lettuce wraps or tortillas for a refreshing taco various
- Topped with a fried egg for a hearty breakfast bowl
Frequent Questions About Quinoa Salad with Contemporary Corn
Can I exploit frozen or canned Corn as an alternative of recent?
Sure, however recent Corn provides the most effective texture and sweetness. If utilizing frozen, thaw and drain. For canned, rinse effectively to cut back sodium.
What kind of quinoa works finest?
White quinoa has a gentle taste and fluffy texture, whereas tri-color quinoa provides extra chew. Each are nice choices.
Can I make it vegan?
Completely! Simply use maple syrup as an alternative of honey within the dressing.
Whether or not you’re heading to a yard BBQ or need one thing wholesome and scrumptious to pack for lunch, this corn and black bean quinoa salad is the reply. It’s colourful, flavorful, and stuffed with feel-good components that energize and fulfill you.
Make it as soon as, and it’ll turn out to be an everyday in your summer time salad rotation!
- 3 cups recent candy corn kernels (4 medium candy corn)
- 3 cups cooked and cooled quinoa*
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup diced pink and inexperienced bell pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped pink onion
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
- 8 ounces cooked salad shrimp, or 2 cups cooked hen, smoked turkey, or ham minimize into 1/2 inch cubes (optionally available)
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly floor black pepper
- 1/4 cup minced recent cilantro leaves
- In a big bowl, toss corn, quinoa, beans, peppers, onion, scallions, and shrimp (if utilizing).
- To make the French dressing, in a sealable container, mix olive oil, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper; shake till the combination thickens, about 60 seconds.
- Pour the French dressing over the quinoa combination and toss to mix.
- Simply earlier than serving, sprinkle with the cilantro.
- Garnish with halved cherry tomatoes, or serve on a mattress of greens, if desired.
Notes
*Put together with 1 cup raw quinoa, in keeping with package deal instructions.
