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    Home » Side Dish Recipes

    Southwestern Quinoa Salad with Citrus Dressing

    Published: Sep 21, 2011 Last updated: May 27, 2022 by Shelby Law Ruttan · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    A salad that is easily portable and perfect for lunches or as a side dish to your main dish, Southwestern Quinoa Salad is packed with flavor, protein, and fiber.
    A bowl of southwestern quinoa salad.
    Southwestern Quinoa Salad Recipe Pin

    Southwestern Quinoa Salad is one of my favorite salad recipes packed with black beans and mango in a citrusy vinaigrette. The colors in this quinoa salad recipe are vibrant and it is packed with plant protein and fiber in each serving. This vegan salad is perfect for picnics, barbecues, and potlucks

    The lime dressing that goes over this southwest quinoa salad is tangy, a little sweet, with a touch of heat and it is a delicious combination with the cilantro in the salad.

    Overhead image of Southwest quinoa salad.
    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll love it
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🥄 Equipment
    • 🥫Storage
    • 💭 Tips
    • 📚 Related Recipes
    • 🍽 Serve with…
    • 🏫 The last word
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why you'll love it

    ✔️ This cold quinoa salad makes the perfect portable lunch salad.

    ✔️ Each serving of this southwestern quinoa salad recipe has 8 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber!

    ✔️ Quinoa salad recipes are perfect for those looking to add a healthy nutrition packed side dish to the menu.

    A clear glass bowl with cooked quinoa

    🥘 Ingredients

    Uncooked quinoa, there are several types of quinoa out there, but I prefer to use the white quinoa for this recipe so all the colors remain vibrant.

    Canned black beans, added for protein and fiber

    Red bell pepper, adds color and freshess

    Mango, used in place of corn in the original salad.

    Onion, adds flavor

    Fresh cilantro, adds flavor, parsley can be used by those who don't like cilantro.

    Lime, choose fresh limes that have give when squeezed to be sure to get one with a good amount of juice.

    Grapeseed oil, an excellent oil to use in making the dressing. Mild in flavor and provides plenty of vitamin E.

    Cayenne pepper, an optional ingredient adds a touch of heat to the recipe.

    Sugar and salt to balance out the flavors.

    Fresh mango that has been scored.

    🔪 Instructions

    1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring 1 cup of water to boil.  Add quinoa and bring to a boil, immediately reduce heat and simmer for 12 minutes, or until all water is absorbed.  Remove the quinoa from the heat heat and place in large bowl to cool.
    2. Once the quinoa has cooled completely, add the black beans, red bell pepper, mano, onion, and cilantro. Toss to combine.
    3. In a small bowl, using a hand whisk or a fork, whisk together the grapeseed oil, cayenne pepper (if using), sugar, salt, and lime juice.  Pour over quinoa mixture and toss to coat.

    🥄 Equipment

    Large saucepan
    Cutting board
    Chef knife
    Strainer
    Mixing bowls

    A bowl of southwestern quinoa salad.

    🥫Storage

    Store any leftover quinoa salad in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days.

    📖 Variations

    • Remove the lime zest before juicing the lime and toss zest into the salad mixture.
    • Substitute sugar free sweetener for the sugar, or leave it out entirely.
    • Use ½ teaspoon chili powder or chili lime seasoning in place of the cayenne pepper.
    • Use halved cherry tomatoes in place of the red bell pepper.
    • Red quinoa can be used in place of white quinoa.
    • Make it a true southwest salad and add 1 cup of corn in place of the mango.
    • Red onion can be used in place of white onion.

    💭 Tips

    • If you would like to add more flavor to the quinoa, substitute vegetable broth for the water when cooking.
    • Add more protein to the salad and make it a main dish salad by adding 2 cups chopped cooked chicken or shrimp.
    Up close image of a colorful salad.

    📚 Related Recipes

    Try this delicious Sweet Chili Lime Tofu for a vegetarian meal with sweet heat.

    Cookies are good for breakfast when they are these Apricot Cashew Quinoa Breakfast Cookies!

    These Southwestern Cheddar Steak Fries go great your favorite grilled protein.

    🍽 Serve with…

    Serve this healthy southwest quinoa salad alongside your favorite grilled steak, chicken, or seafood.

    🏫 The last word

    Quinoa is considered a "superfood" due to its nutritional qualities. One cup of cooked quinoa provides 8 grams of protein, 4 grams of fat, and 5 grams of fiber. It is a plant proteins that is a complete protein and a healthy way to boost the protein intake for those looking to do so.

    A true southwest salad will have corn in it, however, I wanted to add a little more sweetness and changed the original recipe to include mango in place of corn.


    Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products!

    When you make this Southwestern Quinoa Salad recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!

    If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating

    📖 Recipe

    A bowl of southwestern quinoa salad.

    Southwestern Quinoa Salad

    Shelby Law Ruttan
    A salad that is easily portable and perfect for lunches or as a side dish to your main dish, Southwestern Quinoa Salad is packed with flavor, protein, and fiber.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Go to Collections
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 12 mins
    Total Time 22 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 214 kcal

    Equipment

    • Large saucepan
    • cutting board
    • chef knife
    • Extra fine mesh strainer
    • mixing bowls

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup water
    • ½ cup white quinoa
    • 1 cup canned black beans
    • ½ red bell pepper , diced small
    • 1 mango , cut in small pieces
    • 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
    • ½ cup cilantro chopped
    • 1 large lime juiced
    • 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ,do this to your heat tolerance
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    Instructions
     

    • Bring 1 cup of water to boil. Add quinoa and once it has come back to a boil, reduce heat and simmer about 12 minutes or until all water is absorbed. Remove from heat and place in mixing bowl to cool.
    • Dice peppers, onions and mango into small pieces. Drain and rinse black beans. Measure 1 cup. Add vegetables and beans along with chopped cilantro to cooled quinoa.
    • Whisk together grapeseed oil, cayenne pepper, sugar (or splenda), salt, and juice of one lime.
    • Pour over quinoa mixture and toss to coat.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 214kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 8gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 152mgPotassium: 437mgFiber: 7gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1487IUVitamin C: 44mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword Southwestern Quinoa Salad
    Tried this recipe?Mention @grumpyshoneybunch or tag #grumpyshoneybunch!
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    About Shelby Law Ruttan

    Shelby is the author/owner of Grumpy's Honeybunch. Established in 2007, she shares and preserves family recipes as well as recipes for cooking light and keto. She has authored the One-Pot Paleo Cookbook and The Pescatarian Keto Cookbook. She is an experienced, self-taught home cook who loves to share recipes with others. She also authors the websites Honeybunch Hunts and The Best Vegetarian Recipes. You can see her work on websites such as Veal Made Easy, Parade, Community Table, SoFab Food, Yummly, and FoodGawker.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sabrina

      February 12, 2012 at 1:20 pm

      Hey Shelby! I was searching for Quinoa recipes on Google and yours popped up right away! This looks delicious and I'm going to make it today!
      Love the new look of your blog!

      Reply
      • Shelby

        February 12, 2012 at 2:35 pm

        Yay 🙂 Thanks for letting me know that! Hope you enjoy Sabrina!

        Reply
      • Sabrina

        February 13, 2012 at 2:42 pm

        I made it and it was DELICIOUS! YUM!!!!!!

        Reply
    2. Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen

      September 30, 2011 at 11:03 pm

      Such great fresh flavors here!

      Reply
    3. Natalie

      September 29, 2011 at 11:23 am

      Quinoa, black bean and mangoes are 3 of my favorite foods. Putting them all together in this salad must be heaven in a bowl. I most certainly will try this when I get my hands on a mango.

      Reply
    4. Mads

      September 28, 2011 at 8:27 pm

      mmm mmm I love quinoa! Any pretty much any dish with black beans and cilantro. Nummy!

      Reply
    5. Gera@SweetsFoodsBlog

      September 28, 2011 at 5:00 am

      I'm big fan of the quinoa and this salad accomplishes all the healthy patterns - great for the palate!

      Cheers,

      Gera

      Reply
    6. motherrimmy

      September 28, 2011 at 3:45 am

      I'm so happy to find another fan of quinoa! Very nice recipe.

      Reply
    7. Aggie

      September 27, 2011 at 11:01 pm

      That looks fantastic! I love quinoa salads.

      Reply
    8. teresa

      September 26, 2011 at 3:34 pm

      mmmm, i would happily dig into that, delicious!!

      Reply
    9. Kalyan

      September 25, 2011 at 3:38 pm

      Just mouthwatering...looks so easy to prepare and delicious!

      Reply
    10. LaDue & Crew

      September 25, 2011 at 3:49 am

      Oh wow, this sounds fab, and right up the nutritious alley that I need to be! It has all the flavors I adore 😉 Thanks for stopping by my blog, and commenting 🙂 My family is in flood recovery mode, and while it's stressful, they know that they will be taken care of.

      Reply
    11. Katherine Martinelli

      September 24, 2011 at 6:19 pm

      I just made a variation on this for dinner tonight! SO good. This is definitely entering my regular rotation. Thanks!

      Reply
    12. Mike @TheIronYou

      September 23, 2011 at 2:19 pm

      I tried this last night: love it!!!!
      Thanks for sharing and if you don't mind I will post it on TIY!

      Peace

      Mike

      Reply
    13. Coleens Recipes

      September 23, 2011 at 8:09 am

      This looks GREAT. I have issues with (staight) quinoa, but this salad looks fantastic.

      Reply
    14. Helene Dsouza

      September 22, 2011 at 10:39 am

      awesome dish! Quinoa is a very health benefiting wholegrain, which should be included more in everyones weekly meal planning.

      thx for sharing =)

      Reply
    15. Mari

      September 21, 2011 at 10:21 pm

      With mango, it has to be great! Thanks.

      Reply
    16. Shelby

      September 21, 2011 at 1:50 pm

      Quinoa is a high protien grain. It has a nutty flavor to it. There is black, red, and white. My favorite is red! You should give it a try 😉

      Reply
    17. BigBearswife

      September 21, 2011 at 1:13 pm

      I've never used Quinoa, before, what is it?

      Reply
    18. Fahad Khan

      September 21, 2011 at 12:44 pm

      Sounds very healthy and delicious too!:-) With that touch of mango,lime juice and cilantro,I am sure it is going to taste classic.
      Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    19. Debbi Does Dinner Healthy

      September 21, 2011 at 11:50 am

      This looks awesome! I'm going to have to make this soon. Before mango season disappears.

      Reply

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    Welcome! I'm Shelby Law Ruttan, I'm a mom, grandmother, and cookbook author for HoneyB's Kitchen who started blogging family recipes in 2007 for.... 

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