• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
To Simply Inspire
  • About Me
    • Contact
    • Press
  • Recipe Index
  • Appetizers
  • Breakfast
  • Main Dishes
  • Desserts
  • On the Lighter Side Recipes
  • Salads
  • Side Dishes
  • Soups and Stews
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • By Course
  • Holidays
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • By Course
    • Holidays
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Mexican

    Southwest Quinoa Salad

    Published: Jul 20, 2017 · Modified: Apr 14, 2023 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

    4596 shares
    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe

    This Southwest Quinoa Salad is loaded with flavor from tomatoes, black bean, corn, cilantro and a simple dressing of lime juice and Mexican seasonings.

    It makes the perfect side dish to take to any summer gathering or potluck and is ready in 20 minutes. It even makes a great meal in itself by adding grilled or baked chicken for added protein.

    WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

    Enter your email below and we’ll send you this recipe so you can come back to it any time! (as well as our new recipes weekly!)

    Single Post Emails

    a closeup of Southwest quinoa salad recipe in a white bowl

    If you are looking for an easy, delicious side dish, this quinoa salad is just what you need. It is great along side grilled burgers and chicken in the summer and fabulous along with any Taco Tuesday meal year-round.

    It is quick to make by just cooking the quinoa per the package directions then adding in fresh ingredients and tossing with the homemade dressing.

    black beans, corn, cilantro, and tomatoes in a white bowl

    Ingredients for Southwest Quinoa Salad

    Quinoa– measured dry and then cooked per package directions

    Black beans – rinsed & drained or 2 cups of dried cooked black beans

    Cilantro – chopped

    Green onions – sliced (also good with red onion)

    Cherry tomatoes – halved. You can also use whole tomatoes chopped into smaller chunks

    Corn – frozen, fresh or canned

    Avocados – diced

    Olive oil – for a simple dressing

    Limes – juice of one lime or 2 tablespoons of bottled lime juice

    Cumin – for the perfect Mexican touch of flavor.

    Garlic powder – to give it a bold flavor

    Salt and pepper to taste

    How to Make this Quinoa Salad

    Cook Quinoa per package directions

    quinoa in a black pot covered in water

    Mix all ingredients together.

    Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (but it is even better after several hours to overnight).

    ENJOY!!

    Southwest quinoa salad recipe in a white bowl

    Tips/Variations

    Use red onion instead of green onion

    Add diced grilled or baked chicken

    Use pinto beans if desired.

    Use red quinoa if preferred.

    Use a tablespoon of homemade taco seasoning instead of the cumin and garlic powder.

    Try these other hearty salad recipes too:

    Southern Potato Salad

    Balsamic Broccoli Slaw

    Roasted Corn Orzo Pasta Salad

    Quinoa Tabouli Salad

    Avocado Tuna Salad

    a clickable button that says More Delicious Recipes
    A bowl filled Quinoa salad with black beans, corn and tomatoes
    Southwest quinoa salad recipe in a white bowl

    Southwest Quinoa Salad

    This Southwest Quinoa Salad is loaded with flavor from tomatoes, black bean, corn, cilantro and a simple dressing of lime juice and Mexican seasonings.
    5 from 2 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Pin Share Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 272kcal
    Author: Sherri Hagymas

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup quinoa measured dry and then cooked
    • 15 oz can black beans rinsed & drained or 2 cups of dried cooked black beans
    • ½ bunch cilantro chopped
    • 3-5 green onions sliced also good with red onion
    • 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
    • 1 cup frozen corn thawed
    • 2 avocados diced
    • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
    • Juice of two limes or 4 tablespoon of Bottled Lime juice
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Mix all ingredients together.
    • Refrigerate for at least 2 hours but it is even better after several hours to overnight.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 218mg | Potassium: 738mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 417IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 3mg

    Nutritional Disclosure

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

    Tried this recipe?We love seeing your pictures! Mention @ToSimplyInspire or tag #ToSimplyInspire!

    More Cuisine

    • Top: uncooked strips of bacon on a aluminum foil lined baking sheet. Bottom: crispy baked bacon strips surrounded by rendered fat on the same baking sheet.
      How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
    • A white bowl filled with an easy cowboy corn dip recipe, garnished with cilantro and diced tomatoes, surrounded by tortilla chips.
      Cowboy Corn Dip
    • Bowl of white rice topped with honey garlic chicken pieces, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.
      Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
    • A tray of chili cheese fries topped with melted cheese, ground meat, kidney beans, corn, chopped tomatoes, and sliced green onions on a metal wire rack.
      Chili and Cheese Fries

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Vivian

      July 31, 2023 at 7:45 pm

      5 stars
      Q left out the avocado and eliminated the salt. Q salad wax delicious

      Reply
    2. Lisa

      August 02, 2021 at 12:34 pm

      Thank you for sharing this! How much is one serving?

      Reply
      • Sherri

        August 04, 2021 at 9:42 am

        One serving is approximately 1/2 cup. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Miz Helen

      July 15, 2014 at 3:43 pm

      Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great week and come back soon!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    4. Diane Balch

      July 13, 2014 at 3:50 pm

      I love this recipe… simple and full of flavor. Thanks for bringing it to foodie friday. Pinned.

      Reply
    5. Karly

      July 12, 2014 at 7:38 pm

      This is my kind of salad! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!

      Reply
    6. Stephanie

      July 12, 2014 at 2:27 am

      Looks so delicious! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!

      Reply
    7. Wendy @ www.mamasblogcentral.com

      July 10, 2014 at 11:32 pm

      Mmmmmm this quinoa salad looks amazing. So healthy 🙂
      I would love for you to share this at my T.G.I.F. Linky Party @ MamasBlogCentral.com
      Have a great weekend!! 🙂

      Reply
    8. Swathi

      July 10, 2014 at 9:45 pm

      Delicious quinoa salad, Very healthy, Thanks for sharing with Hearth and Soul blog hop. pinning it.

      Reply
    9. Natalie

      July 09, 2014 at 11:09 am

      I am always looking for quinoa recipes!! This looks so colorful and delicious…I can’t wait to try it.

      Reply
    10. Lori Hart

      July 08, 2014 at 10:49 pm

      I could make this my main meal for lunch. Perfect when I’m stuck at my desk. I found you over at theTwo Cup Tuesdays link party.  I host Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday and would love it if you linked up this recipe. 

      Here is the link http://bit.ly/1jlh94r.  Have a wonderful day!!

      Reply
    11. Jamie

      July 07, 2014 at 2:18 pm

      I’m always looking for new ways to do quinoa! Thank you so much for linking up to Monday Funday!

      Reply
    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Sherri Hagymas leaning on a counter with a white coffee mug

    Hi there! I’m Sherri I love creating a variety of easy recipes that anyone can make and enjoy! From healthy to comforting, I hope you find something that inspires you!.

    More about me →

    Easy Dinners

    • White bowl full of Egg Fried Rice with fork inserted.
      Egg Fried Rice
    • White skillet with tuscan chicken recipe with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach in a creamy sauce.
      Tuscan Chicken
    • four breaded chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet with lemon slices
      Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken
    • Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes
      Butter Steak Bites with Garlic Herb Potatoes
    • skillet full of creamy chicken with mushroom sauce topped with parsley.
      Chicken with Mushroom Sauce
    • bowl full of fresh cucumber slices, imitaion crab meat, and avocado with spicy mayo drizzles and topped with sesame seeds
      California Roll in a Bowl

    Popular Recipes

    • slice of coffee cake on a white plate
      Best Easy Coffee Cake
    • Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta recipe in a silver serving bowl
      Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta
    • closeup of several crispy chicken wings on white parchment paper.
      Oven Baked Chicken Wings
    • White bowl full of fresh mango salsa topped with cilantro and red onion.
      Mango Salsa
    • black bowl with cottage cheese dip with a carrot and celery
      Ranch Cottage Cheese Dip
    • closeup of shrimp corn chowder in a white bowl with spoon in it.
      Shrimp Corn Chowder

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    List of publications that have featured Tosimplyinspire.com. woman's day, southern living, delish, parade, Forbes, prevention, and parade.

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Disclosure Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Shop
    • Shop My Favorites
    Copyright © 2025 To Simply Inspire
    Discloure Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
    To Simply Inspire is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program
    designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.