Citrus-Infused Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant quinoa salad tossed with black beans, fresh herbs, and a zesty citrus dressing for a light, nutritious meal or side dish. This latin american-inspired salads (vegetarian, vegan) ready in about 25 minutes pairs rinsed quinoa, water, (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 300 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 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 tender and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Let cool to room temperature.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, 1 medium diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp cumin powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until well emulsified.
  4. Step 4: Pour the citrus dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss gently to combine. Adjust seasoning to taste. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Citrus-Infused Quinoa and Black Bean Salad 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 Citrus-Infused Quinoa and Black Bean Salad?

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 Citrus-Infused Quinoa and Black Bean Salad?

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 Citrus-Infused Quinoa and Black Bean Salad 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 Citrus-Infused Quinoa and Black Bean Salad vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, vegan, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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