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Smoky Quinoa and Black Bean Salad
4.6 from 80 votes

Smoky Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

This smoky quinoa and black bean salad blends cooked quinoa with black beans, diced colorful bell peppers, and sliced green onions. A homemade dressing with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper ties the salad together with a subtle smoky and tangy note. Served cold, it offers a hearty, textured dish with balanced flavors suitable as a side or light meal.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 4 (about 1.5 cups each)
Calories: 3948 kcal
Course: Side Dish, Salad
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa $1.40, uncooked
  • 1/4 cup olive oil $0.52
  • 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar $0.10
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp cumin $0.02, ground
  • 1/8 tsp garlic powder $0.02
  • 1/2 tsp salt $0.02
  • black pepper $0.05, freshly cracked
  • 1 oz. can black beans $0.59
  • 2 bell pepper $1.98, preferably red, yellow, or orange
  • 2 green onions $0.25

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Rinse the quinoa well using a wire mesh sieve to prevent the small granules from washing away. Allow the excess water to drain away and then place the rinsed quinoa in a sauce pot.
  2. Add 1.75 cups water to the sauce pot with the quinoa, place a lid on top, and bring it up to a boil over high heat. Once it reaches a boil, turn the heat down to low and let it simmer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, turn the heat off and let it rest for 5 minutes, without removing the lid. Finally, fluff with a fork and allow the quinoa to cool (I placed mine in the refrigerator for faster cooling).
  3. While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Set the dressing aside.
  4. Rinse and drain the black beans. Dice the bell peppers, and slice the green onions.
  5. Combine the beans, bell peppers, green onions, and cooled quinoa in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over top, and stir until everything is evenly mixed and coated in dressing. Taste and adjust the salt if needed. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat. Make sure to stir the salad well before serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1Serving Calories 394.8kcal (20%) Carbohydrates 49.28g (16%) Protein 13.23g (26%) Fat 16.63g (26%) Sodium 511.45mg (21%) Fiber 11.85g (47%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 (about 1.5 cups each)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 3948

% Daily Value*

Serving 1Serving
Calories 394.8kcal 20%
Carbohydrates 49.28g 16%
Protein 13.23g 26%
Fat 16.63g 26%
Sodium 511.45mg 21%
Fiber 11.85g 47%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.