Fiesta Quinoa Salad

Are you looking for a refreshing, beautiful and healthy salad to add to your summer meals?

If so, you MUST try my favorite fiesta quinoa salad. 

When it was first advised that I go gluten and dairy free three years ago, this was one of the first meals I made. I then proceeded to make it on a regular basis and it became a go to meal. This dish helped me to realize one can have taste and nutrition without dairy and gluten. It can be made in advance and stored in for lunches and easy dinner meals.

Fiesta quinoa salad doesn’t disappoint in the way of flavor, ease to make and being able to prepare ahead of time and keep. I also have to admit that I found and continue to find all of the chopping of the vegetables to be therapeutic. 
I originally shared this meal two years ago but felt it was a great time to share. I hope you will place this on your recipe list and enjoy it as much as I do. 

Fiesta Quinoa 

Ingredients 
3 cups uncooked quinoa
1 cup diced cucumber
1 small chopped red pepper
1/4 cup red onion
2 scallions (use green onions as a substitue)
1 bag frozen corn (this can be eliminated for allergy purposes)
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons of lime juice
2 tablespoons of lemon juice 
1 teaspoon of cumin 
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (if you like a kick you can increase this amount) 
 
Directions 
 
1. In a large bowl, mix cooked and cooled quinoa with the vegetables and black beans.

2. Mix olive oil, lime and lemon juice, salt, cumin and cayenne pepper. Pour over quinoa, add cilantro and mix well. 
As previously stated, this dish easily stores in mason jars for lunches and can keep for several days. 
 

 
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31 Comments

  1. Rachel G on July 6, 2016 at 5:52 am

    This sounds so tasty! I bet the lime juice and cayenne add a nice kick of flavor!



    • Sheryl @ How to Make a Life on July 7, 2016 at 9:00 pm

      You are right, both flavors give it a kick. Be careful with the cayenne because it’s easy to get too much quickly.



  2. Anne @ Love the Here and Now on July 6, 2016 at 7:35 am

    This looks delicious….so tasty and colorful. Glad you shared it because I think this would be great addition to all of the summer parties that you get invited to. It’ll stand apart from the usual picnic fare. Definitely making this! Thanks for sharing.



    • Sheryl @ How to Make a Life on July 7, 2016 at 8:59 pm

      It really does well for potlucks and parties and you are right – it’s not the traditional. Let me know how it comes out for you.



  3. Katie Arnold on July 6, 2016 at 9:40 am

    Yum!! Quinoa is one of my favorites! So delicious and versatile!



  4. Emelia @ Dream Big & Buy the S on July 6, 2016 at 9:58 am

    I have still yet to try quinoa, but this sounds SO good!



    • Sheryl @ How to Make a Life on July 7, 2016 at 8:58 pm

      Ok girl, you really should give it a try. This was my first recipe years ago and it got me hooked. Let me know if you try it.



  5. Christine Everyday on July 6, 2016 at 2:17 pm

    I love the colors in this!



  6. Bourbon & Lipstick on July 6, 2016 at 8:40 pm

    This would be a great lunch for the week! I love quinoa… it’s so filling!



    • Sheryl @ How to Make a Life on July 7, 2016 at 8:57 pm

      It really is a great meal to make for lunch and keep. I’ve kept and eaten it for about a week and it’s still good.



  7. Crystal @ Dreams, etc. on July 7, 2016 at 12:16 am

    This looks great! I might take this to a potluck next week. 🙂



  8. My Urban Family on July 7, 2016 at 12:57 am

    Yum! Looks super healthy and great for the summer 🙂



  9. Jessica Hughes on July 7, 2016 at 7:06 am

    Yum! I love a good quinoa salad!



  10. Sonia Hale on July 7, 2016 at 12:45 pm

    Looks so good and healthy too! We will be making this! Thanks.



  11. Mom Noms on July 7, 2016 at 2:49 pm

    This looks fantastic! I really have been trying to add salads into my routine!
    Thanks for such a great post!



    • Sheryl @ How to Make a Life on July 7, 2016 at 8:55 pm

      This is certainly a salad to add to your list. Thanks for stopping by.



      • Mom Noms on July 9, 2016 at 1:06 am

        You’re very welcome! 😀



  12. Sandy Mangis on July 7, 2016 at 6:15 pm

    Looks yummy. I love these kind of summer meals.



  13. Courtney Connolly on July 7, 2016 at 6:25 pm

    Yum! That looks delicious! So vibrant but yet filling with the quinoa!



  14. Rebecca @ Happily the Hicks on July 7, 2016 at 7:32 pm

    That looks amazing! I love quinoa salads, and all those fresh veggies sound delicious right now. Pinning for later!



  15. Lisa Orchard on July 9, 2016 at 11:12 am

    This looks amazing and I love that it’s healthy, too! Thanks for sharing! I’m stopping over from the Sits Girls!



  16. Emily @ Ember Grey. on July 10, 2016 at 6:22 pm

    I LOVE summer salads and this looks like something I could and would eat 24/7! Thanks for the share, I’ll be trying this for sure!