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    Home » Vegetarian

    EASY Fiesta Quinoa Salad

    Published: Jul 11, 2019 · Modified: May 14, 2022 by Archana · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 10 Comments

    1303 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Here is my favorite Vegan Fiesta Quinoa Salad that is refreshing, delicious, and EASY! Made using sweet and tangy mangoes, creamy avocado, and crunchy peppers with simple olive oil and fresh lime dressing, this healthy salad is packed with bright, vibrant flavors that will keep everyone asking for more.

    3 bowls of quinoa salad

    I love that this festive salad is so versatile and you can substitute the ingredients based on what you have on hand. I simply make sure to add something sweet, tangy, and crunchy which not only adds amazing flavor and colors but also gives the salad toothsome texture.

    Although this salad makes a yummy meal by itself, it also makes a great side dish that pairs well with many dishes. So go ahead and make this for your next lunch, dinner, or take it along for a potluck!

    white bowl with quinoa salad

    Before we get into this salad recipe, here is a little more on Quinoa. Quinoa can be precooked beforehand for this recipe. I love cooking quinoa for my meal preps and use it in salads, burgers, or truffles.

    Jump to:
    • What is Quinoa
    • Types of Quinoa
    • How to Cook Quinoa
    • Serving
    • Recipe

    What is Quinoa

    Quinoa is a gluten-free, nutrient-rich seed that is a whole grain carbohydrate and whole protein. It is considered a superfood that not only makes a great low-carb rice substitute but can also be used in making salads, shakes, and desserts.

    "Quinoa - known as the "mother Grain' in Sough American culture - dates back to the Incan Empire and is actually a seed, not a grain. Today, we enjoy quinoa for its great taste and nutritional properties. Quinoa is one of nature's complete plant proteins. What this means is that quinoa contains essential amino acids in the right proportions to help support human nutritional needs"

    Types of Quinoa

    Quinoa is commonly sold in three colors – white/ivory, red and black. White quinoa has a fluffy post-cook texture, while red and black quinoa are known to keep more of their shape and color after cooking. Red quinoa has a heartier taste and chewier texture while black quinoa tastes somewhat crunchy and slightly sweeter than either red or white. White quinoa can also have a slightly muted, bitter taste. I usually buy organic white quinoa from Costco.

    Bag of Organic Quinoa

    How to Cook Quinoa

    Here is my easy Instant Pot Quinoa recipe to cook perfect quinoa each time. The recipe includes instructions for cooking quinoa pot in pot as well as cooking directly in the main pot. If you do not have a pressure cooker, quinoa can also be cooked on a stovetop with a 1:2 quinoa to water ratio.

    Pro Tip – Rinse the quinoa 2 to 3 times and drain well to remove the slightly bitter taste.

    Bowl of cooked quinoa with a fork

    Cooked quinoa can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days or you can also freeze it for extended shelf life.

    I love to use a variety of vegetables and fruits in this fiesta quinoa salad. Although you can always substitute them based on seasonal availability and taste preference. For example, you can completely skip jalapenos if you do not like spicy salad. Here are my go-to ingredients for a balanced, colorful, and flavor-packed quinoa salad:

    1. Rinsed and drained black beans
    2. Sweet grape tomatoes
    3. Crunchy Persian cucumbers
    4. Jalapeno
    5. Red onion
    6. Red Bell Pepper - Orange or yellow work great too
    7. Semi ripe mango
    8. Avocado
    9. Cilantro

    I like to use my Vidalia Chop Wizard to evenly dice the vegetables and no this is not a sponsored post. I just love that the veggies get cut evenly into smaller cubes which makes this salad not only visually appealing but fun to eat with each small piece nicely coated with the dressing. You can also chop all the veggies using a regular knife, just be sure to make smaller dice.

    steps 1 to 2 showing dicing jalapeno using vidalia chop wizard

    Homemade dressing for Quinoa Salad

    To make the dressing simply whisk together extra virgin olive oil, salt, and fresh lime juice. Add freshly crushed black pepper or paprika to taste (photos 3 - 6).

    steps 3 to 6 showing how to make dressing for quinoa salad

    Once you have the cooked quinoa, all the chopped vegetables, and dressing ready, simply layer over all the ingredients and mix well with the flavorful dressing (photos 7 - 10).

    steps 7 to 10 showing how to make fiesta quinoa salad

    Serving

    Enjoy at room temperature or chilled in the refrigerator. Refrigerated Fiesta Quinoa salad can be enjoyed for 2 to 3 days, so ahead make a big batch today!

    Two bowls of Fiesta Quinoa Salad

    Our favorite recipes to pair this delicious salad:

    • Masala Chicken Burgers
    • Instant Pot Tandoori Chicken
    • EASY Salmon Skewers
    • Spicy Tofu Lettuce Wraps
    • Indian Spiced Chicken Wings
    • Crispy Spinach and Mushroom Quesadillas
    • Chicken Tinga Tacos

    ★ Have you tried this recipe? We love your feedback, Please click on the stars in the recipe card below to rate.

    Recipe

    Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
    Fiesta Quinoa Salad in 3 bowls
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    4.64 from 11 votes

    Fiesta Quinoa Salad

    Refreshing, delicious and EASY vegan quinoa salad with simple olive oil and fresh lime dressing
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Course: Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 307kcal
    Author: Archana Mundhe

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups cooked quinoa
    • 1 can black beans rinsed and drained
    • 1 cup frozen sweet corn thawed
    • 1 cup grape tomatoes cut into small pieces
    • 2 persian cucumbers peeled and diced
    • 1 or 2 Jalapeños diced
    • 1 medium red onion diced
    • 1 red Bell Pepper diced
    • 1 semi ripe mango peeled and diced
    • 1 avocado diced
    • ½ cup cilantro chopped

    Dressing

    • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
    • 2 limes juiced
    • black pepper or paprika to taste

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl add the main ingredients.
    • In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, salt, lime juice, and black pepper or paprika.
    • Pour the dressing over the salad and mix everything together to evenly coat the salad with the dressing.
    • Enjoy at room temperature or chilled in the refrigerator. Refrigerated Fiesta Quinoa salad can be enjoyed for 2 to 3 days, so ahead make a big batch today!

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 873mg | Potassium: 631mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 825IU | Vitamin C: 32.4mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1.8mg
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @ministry_of_curry or tag #ministryofcurry

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    Author: Archana

    Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
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    1. Heide Linde Horeth says

      July 11, 2019 at 7:18 pm

      I will make this for a luncheon I am hosting soon. It sounds amazing with all the ingredients I love....and healthy of course! Thank you, Archana!5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 11, 2019 at 8:23 pm

        Thank you Heide! I will love your feedback

        Reply
    2. Louise says

      July 14, 2019 at 4:10 pm

      How much uncooked quinoa does it take to make 2 cups cooked quinoa, please?
      I see all kinds of different answers on internet. (Same with water to quinoa ratio. Thank you for giving it to us.)
      I think you left out the corn in your ingredients at the beginning of your blog; it does however appear in your printable recipe list.
      Can't wait to taste this tonight. Thank you, Archana!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 15, 2019 at 9:05 am

        Hi Louise, thank you for your detailed feedback. So I usually use 1 cup uncooked quinoa to make 3.5 cups of cooked quinoa. I use the extra for making quinoa truffles and also use it in my chicken burgers. Quinoa to water ratio is 1:1 for instant pot pressure cooker. For stove top I put 2 cups of water for 1 cup of quinoa as there is so much evaporation. I will also update the corn and thank you for reviewing it in such details. I think I am a bit late to reply and I am so sorry for that but I hope you will try it soon.

        Reply
    3. Louise says

      July 15, 2019 at 10:01 am

      EXCELLENT salad!
      And nice to know it is also healthy and nutritious.
      Thank you, Archana!5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 16, 2019 at 4:22 pm

        Thank you

        Reply
    4. Vr says

      April 13, 2022 at 7:35 pm

      How to cook the black beans? There is no instruction for that.

      Reply
      • Archana says

        April 13, 2022 at 8:51 pm

        I have used pre-cooked canned black beans.

        Reply
    5. Mehek says

      May 15, 2022 at 2:12 pm

      Hi Archana! This recipe looks amazing. Just a quick question- are there any premade dressings you’d recommend if I’m running on too much of a time crunch to make it fresh? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        May 16, 2022 at 3:38 pm

        Any vinaigrette dressing will work.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Archana: a former software engineer, now a full-time blogger. I am a mother of two boys who share my love for food and cooking. Words I love to hear are, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” The same words I say to my mom every time we speak. I live in the greater New York City Area with my husband and sons.

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