Gluten-Free Quinoa and Black Bean Salad with Citrus Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-27 · Updated 2026-04-27

A vibrant gluten-free salad featuring protein-rich quinoa and black beans tossed with fresh vegetables and a zesty citrus dressing. This Latin American-inspired gluten-free recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs quinoa, black beans, red bell pepper 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 rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans
• 1 small, diced red bell pepper
• 1 medium, diced cucumber
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 2, thinly sliced green onions
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 3/4 tsp, divided salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

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 water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 can drained black beans, 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 diced cucumber, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 2 thinly sliced green onions.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
4. Step 4: Add cooled quinoa to the large bowl with vegetables and beans. Pour the citrus dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Adjust seasoning with remaining 1/4 tsp salt if needed.
5. Step 5: Serve chilled or at room temperature as a light gluten-free meal or side dish.