Southwest Quinoa Salad
User Reviews
5
Southwest Quinoa Salad
Description
The Southwest Quinoa Salad brings together cooked quinoa with beans and a variety of finely diced vegetables including red onion, red bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes. The cilantro adds a fresh herbal touch. The salad is typically served chilled, allowing flavors to meld over time.
This salad balances soft, nutty quinoa and beans with the crunch and sweetness of bell peppers and juicy tomatoes. The optional lime juice adds a bright, tangy element that can enhance the overall flavor.
Preparation is straightforward: simply cook and cool the quinoa, combine with drained beans and chopped veggies, and chill before serving. The salad is adaptable by varying the vegetables based on availability.
To maximize flavor, lightly toasting quinoa before cooking can enhance its nutty notes. Marinating the salad before consumption helps develop the ingredients' flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 cups quinoa cooked
- 15 ounces black beans drained
- 15 ounces garbanzo beans drained
- ½ cup red onion finely diced
- ½ cup red bell pepper finely diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved, or grape tomatoes
- ¼ cup cilantro minced
- salt to taste (about 1 to 2 teaspoons
- lime juice, optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients.
- Chill to let the flavors meld.
Notes
- Toast quinoa in a dry pan until fragrant before cooking to deepen its flavor.
- Use fully cooled quinoa when assembling the salad if using leftovers, which improves texture.
- Customize the vegetables to what you have on hand; this salad adapts well to different produce.
- Allow the salad to chill and marinate to let flavors meld for better taste.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 322 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 322kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 56g | 19% |
| Protein | 16g | 32% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 716mg | 30% |
| Potassium | 795mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 16g | 64% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 858IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 37mg | 41% |
| Calcium | 101mg | 10% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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