Healthy and satisfying, this Tomato and Black Bean Quinoa Salad is perfect for a pot luck or for a delicious side dish.
If you love a good quinoa salad, also check out this classic Quinoa Salad or this Quinoa and Roasted Sweet Potato Salad.
So, I’m trying to be smarter with my food choices, trying to eat a little healthier. I was doing really well before I went on my cruise, and well – it’s all been downhill from there. But I know that I am happier and feel better about myself when I’m eating better. Even though it’s sometimes more fun to eat ice cream and cupcakes.
So I decided to hit up the archives for dinner one night. This Tomato and Black Bean Quinoa Salad was originally published alongside the Grilled Pork Chops with Cilantro Lime Sauce in May of 2009, and I raved about the salad in the original post, so dinner was planned. Definitely click over and check out the pork chop recipe, too – I updated those photos as well!
Sometimes I forget just how delicious a good for you meal can be. I was seriously crushing on that whole dinner. (And wondering why I don’t make pork chops more often.) My husband isn’t a big quinoa fan, but I knew this would be a recipe that I could snack on over the course of a few days. And that I did – happily! This recipe makes a TON, so keep that in mind if you aren’t a fan of leftovers.
And since it is May, and summer bbqs and pot lucks are right around the corner, I thought I’d throw this out as a great suggestion for a salad or side dish to share. It’s great both cold and at room temperature, and is great for a crowd.
I know I’ll be craving this whole meal again soon!
More Delicious Side Salads
Caesar Salad with Pasta
Wedge Salad
Tropical Fruit Salad
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Tomato and Black Bean Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons butter melted and cooled
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil can sub olive oil or avocado oil
- 2 teaspoons grated lime zest
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 can (14-15 oz) black beans drained and rinsed
- 2 medium tomatoes diced
- 4 green onions diced
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- salt
Instructions
- Combine 2 cups of water and the 1 cup quinoa in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 15-20 minutes, until all of the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine the lime juice, butter, vegetable oil, lime zest and sugar in a bowl. Stir in the quinoa until all of the dressing has been absorbed. Add in the black beans, tomatoes, green onions and cilantro and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt. Serve at room temperature or cold.
samantha steven says
I am loving this healthy salad! I can’t wait to give it a try!
Morgan says
Very good recipe I used olive oil instead because I didn’t have any vegetable oil which was a mistake I won’t make again. Love this salad!
Deborah says
I’m glad you loved it! Olive oil can be a bit overpowering, depending on the kind, but vegetable oil definitely is a more neutral oil.
Joanne Bruno says
I’ve been making quinoa salads and eating my way through them throughout the week also! It definitely makes me feel better about life knowing I’ve snacked on that and not ice cream (though i really love ice cream). Adding this into the rotation!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
What a perfectly light and flavorful salad – I love the lime in the recipe!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
This looks like the perfect healthy side dish to any meal – I’m thinking shredded tacos! I love that it looks so flavorful, too!