So I totally got sick on Sunday and have been on the mend ever since. Ugh. Major, major ugh.
And it really ticks me off because I work so hard to keep my immune system in tip-top shape – loading my body with healing foods, taking daily supplements (including echinacea when I feel even the slightest tickle in my throat) and drinking my green juice and smoothies. Guess it was my body’s way of saying, “take a chill pill, Alyssa”.
Which is precisely what I did. I did some work from the couch, wore my PJs all day, watched food documentaries (<– nerd), made fresh juices and smoothies, diffused essential oils, snuggled with my pup and drank like a hundred gallons of tea. 5 days later, I’m feeling like myself again and ready to get back to blogging.
Today’s recipe (which I had planned to share on Tuesday…oops!) pretty much sums up everything I’ve been craving lately. It’s got lime, cilantro, quinoa, black beans and just a little chili sea salt. Yep, that’s it! It really doesn't need any more. It's got lots of fresh, bright flavor and it’s filled with plant-based proteins. It’s light, refreshing and fun – just as a spring quinoa salad should be.
AND this salad is also….
- Quick and easy, meaning less time spent in the kitchen and more time spent outside, soaking up the sunshine.
- Only 5 ingredients, most of which I bet you already have on hand. Don’t you just love meals like that?
- Simple to dress up or down and can be served as a side or a main. Pretty much it’s the most versatile salad ever. Like…plop a fried egg on top and call it breakfast. Or toss in some grilled chicken and salad and have yourself a burrito bowl. OR just serve it as is next to your fave veggie burger.
How many days until summer again? Don’t worry, we’ll be there before we know and in the meantime we’ll keep enjoying summery quinoa salads!
Share this recipe!
Cilantro-Lime Black Bean Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked quinoa, cooled
- 1 (15oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- Juice + zest of 1 lime
- 2 teaspoons chili sea salt (like this one)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl and toss to combine. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Enjoy!
by Alyssa
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 269kcal Calories from fat 27 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
| Sodium 613mg | 26% |
| Carbohydrate 49g | 16% |
| Dietary Fiber 12g | 48% |
| Sugars 2g | |
| Protein 13g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
If you make this recipe, make sure to snap a pic and share it on Instagram using #SIMPLYQUINOA – I want to see your own quinoa creations!
Alyssa is the quinoa-obsessed girl behind Simply Quinoa. She's passionate about helping you find health, happiness and balance with wholesome recipes and lifestyle tips.
So light easy and refreshing! Love it!
Yum. Cilantro-lime rice with black beans is my favorite on the rare occasions I eat at On the Boarder or Chipotle, but I have a feeling this quinoa recipe is just a tiny bit healthier. And I bet it would taste every bit as good in a burrito 🙂
Glad to hear you’re feeling better and I’m sure this nourishing salad helped do the trick. I just bought some cilantro and limes for a dressing I had in mind but I hadn’t considered adding it to quinoa which is a staple in my home. Love this!
I love quinoa and other grains because you can put just about any other ingredients with them and have a delicious meal ready in minutes. I love the black beans in here–the meatiness offsets the light texture of the quinoa so well. Yum!
I love quinoa. I am on a diet because of surgery on my mouth. There are so many different ways you can serve it and it taste so yummy. And so healthy. Need to try it with black beans. I have never had it with eggs. Must try it. Love getting your recipes.
Thanks, Em
this salad sounds just perfect! and I love that it only has 5 ingredients that I almost always have at home
Thanks, Alyssa! I’m going to whip up a batch! I’m always looking for something “simple” yet filling to munch on! Love the idea of the egg on top!
I have all the ingredients, I love the combo, and its easy, what is there not to love about this post…..other than you being sick. Hope you feel better 🙂
What a fabulous dish!! I am all about quinoa lately, hence me following your blog, and am always on the lookout for ways to use it that the other half might go for. This one sounds, and looks, so good I really don’t care if he likes it or not hehe!!
Love this simple salad! And yes, it is the best when you have all the ingredients on hand. So glad that you’re feeling better!
I hate Cilantro. Is there anything I can replace it with? Other than parsley which is also on my hate list lol
Suzan, try green onions!
That’s a great idea!!
Dumb question here. Does the 3 cups of cooked quinoa mean 3 cups after it’s been cooked, or 3 cups of dry quinoa and then cook them?
Jill, I feel sure it’s 3 cups cooked and cooled b/c 3 cups dry would make an awful lot of salad!!
Yes, it’s cooked! I’ll updated the recipe to be more specific 🙂
I have all but the cilantro, what if anything can I use? or can the recipe go without it
This looks great. What can I sub for the chili sea salt?
I am an amateur but I used 1/2 tsp of salt and 1.5 tsp of Penzey’a Fajita Seasoning (which has salt in it). Not sure if it captured the intended effect but it was tasty.
It sounds delicious, Claire! Thanks for sharing 🙂
This was so yummy and very simple to make. I think it had a little too much salt, but I still ate ALL of it. Thank you for sharing.
So glad you enjoyed it 🙂 xo!
delish! i used chili-lime seasoning from trader joes, and added some mango.
super easy and very summery…
That sounds incredible! Love the addition of mango 🙂
Unfortunately I screwed up the recipe when I made it. I did not have chili salt on hand so I substituted regular salt and it was wayyy too salty. I tried adding a little extra cilantro and some black pepper to take away from the saltiness and it only helped slightly. I’m so bummed because otherwise it would have turned out good. Next time I would do the chili salt or if I use regular salt add a little bit at once and then taste it each time to make sure it’s not too much. This was so easy and simple to make, definitely want to give it another shot!
I definitely recommend tasting as you go 🙂 I’ve done this SO many times and always feel so defeated when the recipe doesn’t turn out. Sorry this happened and hopefully you give it another try! xo
I measured 1.5 cups of quinoa thinking it would make 3 cooked cups but it looked more like 6! I mixed in my beans and then split it in half since I was afraid my 1 lime wouldn’t be enough for the batch. I used Celtic salt, added the cilantro and voila! It paired wonderfully with salmon patties. Will be picking up another lime so I can mix up the other half for lunch thus week. Yum!!
Yes! 1 cup of quinoa = 3 cups cooked 🙂 But you can always freeze leftover cooked quinoa for later! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!