Protein-Packed Quinoa Salad

This earthy, nutty flavored, grain-like seed makes a great rice substitute. It’s gluten-free, packed with protein, and delicious!

Life and Health tip: Remember that grains in your salad still count as carbohydrate servings. To bulk up this meal, could add extra beans and serve with carrot sticks and fresh fruit.

Salad

1 cup uncooked quinoa

2 cups vegetable brothor water

1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 ½ cups sweet corn, frozen or fresh

1 ½ cups tomatoes, diced

1 orange, yellow, or red bell pepper, diced

5 green onions, diced

½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Dressing

2 extra virgin olive oil(omit for diabetics)

1 tsp ground cumin

1 clove garlic, minced

¼ cup lime juice

¼ tsp salt (more to taste)

½ tsp chipotle chili powder (optional)

Rinse quinoa thoroughly in a mesh strainer for 2 minutes.

Add to pot with 2 cups water or broth and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes or until liquid has absorbed and quinoa is tender. Set quinoa aside or put into refrigerator to cool down.

In a small bowl, add all dressing ingredients and whisk together to thoroughly combine.

In a large bowl, add the cooked quinoa with all other salad ingredients.

Pour dressing over the top and toss to combine.

Chill for at least an hour for better flavor.

Nutrition Facts

12 servings

Serving size

½ cup

Amount per serving
Calories150

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 3.5g5%
Saturated Fat 0.5g3%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 152mg7%
Total Carbohydrate 27g10%
Dietary Fiber 4.5g17%
Total Sugars 2.5g
Protein 6g

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Print Options:

Protein-Packed Quinoa Salad