This protein-packed Quinoa Black Bean Avocado Salad is an incredible dish for lunch or dinner. It's light and refreshing ingredients will keep you feeling satisfied. Just 8 ingredients and about 15 minutes are all that stand in the way between you and this scrumptious quinoa salad with avocado.
Craving something that is bursting with flavor? Well, have I got a deal for you! This is one of my favorite dishes that I like to enjoy on occasion. Filled with quinoa, avocados, black beans, tomatoes, and a homemade dressing is beyond incredible.
When you are heading out to all the summer barbecues, be sure to bring this quinoa black bean avocado salad. Quinoa salad with avocado is sure to impress all the party-goers, so I recommend having the recipe on hand when they start asking for it.
In this free 5-day email series learn all my tips for incorporating a low-carb lifestyle into the life of your family.
This is based on my Cumin Chicken with Black Bean Salsa and is just as delicious as a vegetarian option.
Ingredients
Quinoa - Adding some quinoa to your diet once in a while is going to provide you with some protein, fiber, iron, and antioxidants.
Black Beans - Filled with folate, manganese, magnesium, iron, and more, it's a good way to boost your nutrients.
Tomato - When tomatoes are in season, they are incredible to add to all your favorite summer dishes. They are a great source of potassium, vitamin C, and folate too.
Onion - I love the added flavor that the onion brings to the quinoa black bean salad.
Avocado - There isn't much better than some creamy avocado in this salad. It's so incredible and adds some more nutrients as well.
Dressing: For the dressing, you will need a combination of extra virgin olive oil, fresh lime juice, and salt. It's seriously so tasty and is the perfect addition to the salad.
How To Make Quinoa Black Bean Avocado Salad
This is made in just a few minutes. When you are short on time and need a vegetarian entree or side dish it is a wonderful option.
Step One: Rinse the quinoa before starting. Then pour it into a small saucepan along with water. Cook on high heat until it's simmering. Then turn the heat to low and cover. Cook for 12-15 minutes or until it has become tender. Let it cool to room temperature.
Step Two: Combine the cooked quinoa with black beans, fresh tomatoes, and onions together in a bowl. Drizzle with the homemade dressing and fold in the avocados. Serve and enjoy!
Variations
Feel free to play with the flavors and ingredients to add the extra things you like. Here are a few ideas to try in quinoa salad with avocado:
Taco - Add some taco seasoning to make it a southwest flavored salad! So good! I recommend 1 tablespoon or so until it reaches the desired flavor.
Garlic - In the mood for garlic? Add in 1-2 minced garlic cloves, and enjoy! For a less pungent flavor saute them first for a couple minutes.
Vegetables - Toss in a few chopped bell peppers. Red is naturally sweet and adds some color as well. But any variety will work well. We also sometimes add chopped red onion and halved cherry tomatoes.
Fresh Herbs - Add some fresh herbs like chopped cilantro, oregano, or parsley into the avocado quinoa salad recipe.
Lemon - Swap out the lime for lemon juice, add a bit of dijon mustard, and serve with a lemon vinaigrette.
Cheese - If you don't need this to be dairy free crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese are nice additions.
Common Questions
Why Do You Rinse Quinoa?
It's vital to rinse the quinoa because it is coated in saponin. Saponin can cause the quinoa to have a strange and almost bitter flavor. So rinsing it off will give you the best results!
Is This Quinoa Black Bean Salad Keto?
No, quinoa and black beans aren't typically keto even though they are gluten free and fairly low carb. So, if you are on a strict keto diet, I recommend skipping it and maybe going for something like my Zucchini Salad with Lemon & Feta or Keto Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad instead. Those are healthy salad recipes that fit better into keto macros.
However, if you can fit in some of this quinoa black bean salad into your macros every once in a while, go for it! It's not a good idea to eat it all day, every day, but here and there is fine if you are comfortable with it.
How Long Does Quinoa Salad Last?
I enjoy having leftovers of this quinoa avocado salad recipe because they are quick to grab and enjoy. This quinoa black bean salad will last around 3-4 days in the fridge. Just make sure to keep it cold and in an airtight container for the best results. Quinoa salad recipes are perfect for your meal plans.
What Color of Quinoa Do You Need?
There are a variety of colors that quinoa comes in, like tri-color, white and red. You can use any that you like, but I usually reach for the tri-color or red because they are great in healthy quinoa salad. They tend to be more firm, so they don't become mushy as white does.
Is Quinoa Gluten-Free?
Yes, quinoa is naturally gluten-free, so it's easy to add to your gluten-free lifestyle. It's a fantastic substitute for pasta and other grains. Make sure to try my Sprouted Quinoa Bread also. This slow cooker quinoa is another great choice.
Like what you see? Follow me on Facebook! Love this recipe? Leave a comment & a 5-star rating right here! Make sure you don’t miss new recipes by getting email updates!
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 cup black beans
- 1 cup tomato
- ¼ cup onion chopped
- 1 avocado
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Rinse the quinoa well. Add to a small saucepan with 2 cups of water. Heat on high until it is simmer. Reduce heat to very low and cover. Cook for 10 minutes or until tender. Cool completely.
- Mix together the cooked quinoa with the black beans, tomato, and onion. Drizzle with the dressing. Gently fold in the avocado.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally Published May 14, 2021. Revised and Republished June 8, 2023.
Ann says
A yummy black bean and avocado recipe that is simple to make.