Citrus-Infused Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-25 · Updated 2026-05-25

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 salad recipe (vegetarian, vegan), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, 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.

Ingredients

• 1 cup, rinsed quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans
• 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup, chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup (about 2 limes) fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup, fresh squeezed orange juice
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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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.