High-Stacked Vegan Black Bean and Quinoa Salad Bowl

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

A nourishing layered bowl with protein-rich black beans and quinoa stacked with fresh vegetables and a zesty lime dressing. This high-protein recipe (vegan), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, canned black beans for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
• 2 cups water
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned black beans
• 1, diced red bell pepper
• 1 large, diced avocado
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup, chopped cilantro
• 3 tbsp, fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 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 stand 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, 1 can (15 oz) drained black beans, 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 large diced avocado, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Pour dressing over the quinoa mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
4. Step 4: Serve the salad stacked in bowls or plates, layering ingredients for a colorful presentation and enjoy immediately or chilled.