A super-tasty and nutrition-packed quinoa salad with black beans, sweet potato and a smoky lime and chipotle chili dressing. This is a perfect recipe for healthy meal planning.

Say hello to one of our favorite healthy recipes – a quinoa salad with black beans that’s perfect to make ahead for a busy week.

The tender grains are tossed with black beans, cooked sweet potato chunks and a tangy-smoky dressing blended with spicy chipotle, lime juice and garlic.

This is a vegan quinoa salad that holds up well in the refrigerator, which is always a plus when jam-packed schedules are on your plate.

In my book, black beans and sweet potatoes go together beautifully.

I often pair them up in salads and side dishes like my Spicy Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with a creamy avocado dressing.

What does quinoa taste like?

Quinoa has a neutral taste, which is why it makes a great base for so many different global flavors in recipes.

For that reason, I really love spicing up my black bean quinoa bowl with earthy, smoky spices and bold seasoning.

Cooked tender quinoa has an appealing texture that I find pleasantly crunchy with a mild, nutty flavor.

Healthy Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Sweet Potato

Is quinoa healthy

You might already know that quinoa is a superfood, known as The Mother Grain, basically regarded as a miracle among grains.

Quinoa is actually a “pseudo-cereal” grain, harvested from a grassy plant that is not classified as a grain.

The little seeds are a complete protein, loaded with calcium, vitamins and minerals as well as all nine essential amino acids.

So yes, by all accounts quinoa is one of the most nutritious foods you can eat!

In fact, some have gone so far as to say that quinoa can supply “all the life-sustaining nutrients” compared to all other foods in the plant and animal kingdom.

Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Sweet Potato (Vegan + Gluten-Free)

How to cook quinoa

Quinoa cooks up quickly, in less than 20 minutes.

Basic recipes for cooking quinoa often call for rinsing the grains in a mesh strainer, because the grains are coated with saponin, a naturally occurring chemical that can have a bitter taste.

Since I’ve learned that most of the quinoa we buy is pre-rinsed to remove the saponins, I skip the rinsing step most of the time.

I’ve never noticed any off flavor or weird texture, but if you prefer to give your quinoa a quick rinse please do!

To cook quinoa, just combine 1 cup in a saucepan with 2 cups water.

Simmer until the water is absorbed and the grains are tender. When it’s ready, the grains will have a small translucent ring, showing that the seed has “popped” open.

How long does quinoa salad last in the fridge?

I’ve snacked on this salad for days after making it.

Quinoa salad holds up well in the fridge up to 5 days without getting soggy or losing it’s tastiness.

I recommend eating it at room temperature or slightly warmed for the best flavor – cold salads can taste kind of dull.

More fresh and healthy make-ahead salads:

Vegetable Tabbouleh Refrigerator Salad

Mediterranean Vegetable Salad with Farro

Black Lentil Salad with Feta

Yield: 6 servings

Quinoa Salad with Black Beans (Vegan + Gluten-Free)

Name: Quinoa Salad with Black Beans (Vegan + Gluten-Free)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: vegetarian
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil; 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice; 2 tablespoons red wine vingear; 1 tablespoon tamari sauce; 1 or 2 canned chipotle chili pepper packed in adobo sauce (choose 2 for more heat), chopped; 1 small garlic clove, finely chopped; 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (non-vegan); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup quinoa; 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained; 1 cup cooked sweet potato cubes *see note on how to cook; 1/2 cup chopped green onions (4 or 5); 1 fresh red chili pepper, finely chopped; 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

A delicious make-ahead vegan quinoa salad for lunch or an easy healthy dinner.

This gluten-free salad is mixed with black beans, sweet potato and a delicious homemade smoky chipotle-lime dressing. Feta cheese is a fantastic addition for a vegetarian (non-vegan) salad.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

Dressing:

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons red wine vingear
1 tablespoon tamari sauce
1 or 2 canned chipotle chili pepper packed in adobo sauce (choose 2 for more heat), chopped
1 small garlic clove, finely chopped
2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (non-vegan)
1/2 teaspoon salt

Salad:

1 cup quinoa
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
1 cup cooked sweet potato cubes *see note on how to cook
1/2 cup chopped green onions (4 or 5)
1 fresh red chili pepper, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Instructions

Make the dressing: Pulse all ingredients in a mini food processor until smooth, or whisk together in a bowl.
Put the quinoa and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and cook at a simmer 15 minutes, until liquid is absorbed. Fluff the grains lightly with a fork and cool slightly.
Transfer the quinoa to a serving bowl and stir in the black beans, sweet potato, green onions, chili pepper and cilantro.
Pour the dressing over the salad and stir to mix. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

If you have leftover cooked sweet potatoes, this recipe comes together in about 20 minutes, and just as quickly if you steam the sweet potato while the quinoa cooks.

Other add-in ideas: avocado and/or red bell pepper

To cook sweet potato: Peel and cut a large sweet potato into cubes. Place in a steamer basket set in a saucepan of simmering water, about 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can roast the sweet potato in a 425F oven: Toss the cubes on a rimmed baking sheet with 1 tablespoon olive oil and roast until golden and tender, about 25 minutes.
Salad will keep refrigerated up to 5 days.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 232Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 375mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 5gSugar: 11gProtein: 6g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Nutritionix. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate with your favorite calculator.

Healthy Quinoa Salad with Black Beans, a super-tasty vegan salad with cilantro, lime and chipotle.

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