Cilantro-Lime Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Mango
A bright, refreshing quinoa salad featuring juicy mango, black beans, and a zesty cilantro-lime dressing perfect for meal prep or light lunches. This latin american-inspired healthy bowls (gluten free, vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs rinsed quinoa, water, (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, rinsed quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans
- 1 cup, diced mango
- 1/2 cup, diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until quinoa is fluffy and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa with 1 can (15 oz) drained black beans, 1 cup diced mango, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, and 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Pour dressing over quinoa mixture and toss gently until evenly coated. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Cilantro-Lime Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Mango take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cilantro-Lime Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Mango?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rinsed quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cilantro-Lime Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Mango?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cilantro-Lime Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Mango for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Cilantro-Lime Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Mango gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free, vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.