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March 15, 2019

Mexican Vegan Quinoa Salad Recipe

Dairy Free Gluten Free Vegan Vegetarian Main Dishes Salads Side Dishes Vegetarian
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I have a new recipe for you all today: Mexican vegan quinoa salad. It’s inspired by the tacos we had over the weekend and the leftovers I wanted to use up!

I love grain salads – they’re versatile, tasty, and filling. And they’re especially great for when you want to use up the leftover grains in your pantry, like quinoa, bulgur, or barley. A perfect lunch that you can make ahead of time!

Mexican Vegan Quinoa Salad Recipe

This came out even better than I hoped. Perfect for warm weather, and super quick and easy to make. Just like all my recipes. 😉

All you’re missing is a margarita!

Mexican Vegan Quinoa Salad

To make this recipe, you’ll need:

  • quinoa
  • vegetable broth (low sodium if possible)
  • canned black beans
  • avocado
  • bell pepper
  • salsa
  • cumin
  • chili powder
  • cilantro (optional)

Vegan Mexican Quinoa Salad Recipe

Start by combining the quinoa, water, and vegetable broth in a pot.

Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer. Cook 10 to 12 minutes (until all liquid is absorbed).

While quinoa is cooling, chop up all other ingredients. Then, combine everything in a large bowl and mix well. That’s it!

Vegan Mexican Quinoa Salad Recipe

I told you I like to keep it simple. 😉 This is a great recipe to make a big batch of and enjoy leftovers for lunch during the week.

If you want to add meat, this recipe would taste great with shrimp, chicken, or a mild white fish. You can’t go wrong with tofu, either!

The full vegan quinoa salad recipe is below. Enjoy!

Mexican Vegan Quinoa Salad

mexican quinoa salad
May 5, 2019

This quick and easy vegan quinoa salad is perfect to make early and enjoy throughout the week. Packed with flavor, color, and texture, you’ll get your Mexican fix without all the cheese or calories.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Yield
4 servings
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Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (uncooked) quinoa
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup vegetable broth (low sodium if possible)
  • 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 very ripe avocado, chopped
  • 1 small pepper (any color), diced
  • 1 cup salsa (or 1/2 cup salsa and 1/2 cup chopped fresh tomatoes)
  • 1 teaspoon each of: cumin & chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Combine quinoa, water, and vegetable broth in a pot. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce to a simmer, and cook 10 to 12 minutes (until all liquid is absorbed).
  2. Let quinoa cool, then combine in a large bowl with all other ingredients.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

I had a bowl of it yesterday for lunch. Delicious!

Let me know how you like it. 🙂

What’s your favorite way to eat quinoa?

Looking for more quinoa recipe inspiration? Here are some of my favorite ways to use quinoa:

  • Mushroom Quinoa Side Dish Recipe
  • Gluten Free Dark Chocolate Quinoa Bars
  • Instant Pot Quinoa Fried Rice Recipe
  • Quinoa Taco Salad
  • Berry Lemon Quinoa Breakfast Bake Recipe
  • Kale and Quinoa Salad with Soft Boiled Eggs
  • Coconut Breakfast Quinoa Recipe
  • Vegan Cranberry Quinoa Salad
- anne
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48 comments
  • Erin March 15, 2012 · 9:54AM:
    This looks delish! Perfect use for the extra quinoa I have in my fridge, and for this unseasonably warm weather we've been having in Boston. Now I also want a margarita... P.S. I recently discovered your blog, and I really enjoy reading it:)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      March 15, 2012 · 10:08AM:
      Thanks, Erin :)
      Reply
  • Renie March 15, 2012 · 9:54AM:
    Another recipe for me to try. Looks fannetastic
    Reply
  • Anna
    March 15, 2012 · 10:04AM:
    Oh my dietetics friends and I are hosting a Mexican fiesta this Sunday. I said I would bring rice but I think I just found something else to bring...Mexican Quinoa! :)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      March 15, 2012 · 10:08AM:
      Do itttt!
      Reply
  • Krista @ Healthy Berg
    March 15, 2012 · 10:08AM:
    Hey Anne! I love your blog, but I think this is my first time commenting! Anyway, this recipe looks awesome and I think it will be perfect to bring to my friend's upcoming bridal shower. One of the other bridesmaids is a vegan and I've been trying to figure out what to bring - looks like I've found my dish! Have a great day and good luck in your race this weekend!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      March 15, 2012 · 10:18AM:
      Yay! Please let me know how everyone likes it :)
      Reply
  • Cristina
    March 15, 2012 · 10:43AM:
    Looks good! It reminds me of my black bean corn quinoa salad :)
    Reply
  • Lauren @ What Lauren Likes
    March 15, 2012 · 12:26PM:
    This looks great! I need to make more quinoa :)
    Reply
  • Claire @ Live and Love to Eat
    March 15, 2012 · 1:43PM:
    Mexican food has been everywhere lately - and I'm totally loving it! I need to restock my quinoa stash - this looks nice and filling!
    Reply
  • Brandi @ Faith Fitness and Laughter
    March 15, 2012 · 2:58PM:
    I love anything that I can add quinoa to. :) Great recipe!
    Reply
  • Heather @ Better With Veggies
    March 15, 2012 · 3:14PM:
    This looks delicious - love finding new ways to use quinoa, it's such a delicious grain!
    Reply
  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats
    March 15, 2012 · 3:31PM:
    I love Mexican inspired foods! Good idea doing it with quinoa instead of rice!
    Reply
  • Justine Duppong @ Life With Cheeseburgers
    March 15, 2012 · 3:41PM:
    Hmm...problem is, this would require us actually having leftover quinoa!!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      March 15, 2012 · 5:06PM:
      I think you misread the recipe - it calls for raw quinoa! I didn't have any on hand... the recipe instructions include cooking the quinoa.
      Reply
      • Justine Duppong @ Life With Cheeseburgers
        March 23, 2012 · 3:05PM:
        Hmm yes, that does make more sense! :)
        Reply
  • Lauren
    March 15, 2012 · 6:23PM:
    Oh goodness, this looks awesome!!! I just made a mexican inspired quinoa salad a few nights ago with black beans and mango but now I may be making this one too.
    Reply
  • Jocelyn @ WhatsOnTheWire
    March 15, 2012 · 7:21PM:
    I have quinoa for the first time last Thanksgiving, as I was looking for vegetarian recipes for many of my guests, and made stuffed tomatoes. I loved the quinoa and have been looking for other quinoa ideas, and this one sound delicious! My kids love Mexican too, so I'll have to give this one a try this weekend. Thanks for sharing!
    Reply
  • Lily
    March 15, 2012 · 10:50PM:
    I love quinoa! Can't wait to try out this recipe :)
    Reply
  • The Linz
    March 16, 2012 · 7:05AM:
    This sounds like a great recipe. I just "pinned" it for future reference. I actually made a spanish quinoa the other day in place of spanish rice and it was amazing. But I love your idea of adding black beans and avocado -- my favs!! Thanks for sharing.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      March 16, 2012 · 8:37AM:
      Enjoy!
      Reply
  • Andrea @ Vegvacious
    March 16, 2012 · 2:31PM:
    I love this recipe!! I love Mexican and anything that includes black beans & avocado :)
    Reply
  • John March 18, 2012 · 1:15PM:
    Just made this, and it is quite delectable. Perfect combination of flavor and nutrition, with simplicity to boot. Thanks for sharing.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      March 18, 2012 · 3:05PM:
      Glad you enjoyed it!
      Reply
  • Crystal March 18, 2012 · 8:02PM:
    I made this today, and its so amazing. Thanks for the recipe :) now i can have mexican without feeling bad. i think i could eat the whole bowl myself lol.
    Reply
  • SRC March 18, 2012 · 9:41PM:
    Just pinned it. Will make it soon. Thanks for the recipe!
    Reply
  • Vicky
    March 19, 2012 · 10:44AM:
    Sounds delicious. I'm always look for more vegan recipes to add to my weekly meal planning!
    Reply
  • Lexi @ Cura Personalis Foodie
    March 19, 2012 · 4:54PM:
    This sounds like the perfect trick for my latest quinoa obsession!
    Reply
  • Angie March 31, 2012 · 3:37PM:
    Thx for this simple & tasty recipe! I just made this for lunch & it was delicious & filling. I also added some green onion & a little squeeze of fresh lemon. I've got plenty left over for later or tomorrow.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      April 2, 2012 · 6:43PM:
      I'm so glad you enjoyed it! :)
      Reply
  • Kira May 20, 2012 · 11:04AM:
    Just made this for a party and it was delicious and a big hit! Thank you! (I put the green pepper in with the quinoa to cook and it came out really well.)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      May 20, 2012 · 12:39PM:
      So glad you liked it!
      Reply
  • Bree July 25, 2012 · 11:43AM:
    This was my first experience with quinoa and I can't even begin to tell you how delicious I found this dish. I mix up a batch of this and add fresh avocado when I feel like having some for lunch. Yum yum yum.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      July 25, 2012 · 4:59PM:
      Yay I'm so glad you liked it!
      Reply
  • Melaina January 21, 2013 · 4:36PM:
    This was so easy and amazing! I used red kidney beans because I was out of black and added some lime juice and nutritional yeast and wow! I couldn't wait for the quinoa to cool so I am eating it warm! Awesome new staple! Thank you!!!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      January 21, 2013 · 5:22PM:
      I'm glad you liked it!
      Reply
  • jamnjulz May 6, 2013 · 8:11PM:
    My family loved this recipe. I added a chipotle pepper and used mango salsa. It was very flavorful! Thanks for sharing.
    Reply
  • Kevie November 19, 2013 · 7:53PM:
    Just made this recipe tonight for dinner. My meat-eating husband who was complaining about not eating a lot of meat lately said while eating, and I quote: "This tastes sorta like Chipotle, just without the yummy pork.... No, this tastes just like Chipotle!" I'm a vegetarian, so naturally I loved all the fresh vegetables.
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 19, 2013 · 10:47PM:
      Ha - that's awesome!
      Reply
  • Jodi H May 11, 2016 · 9:59AM:
    Another great recipe - thank you! I made this last night for a BBQ w/ friends and it turned out perfectly! The bowl was empty at the end of the night. I think everyone welcomed the healthy option :) ....And who can say no to Mexican flavors (not me)!
    Reply
    • Anne
      May 11, 2016 · 10:21AM:
      Yay, so glad it was a hit! :)
      Reply
  • Battledaal January 25, 2017 · 8:23AM:
    It tastes great will make again especially in cold weather food ? Thanks
    Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

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