Cilantro Lime Quinoa Salad Recipe
This refreshing Cilantro Lime Quinoa Salad is a vibrant and nutritious dish featuring fluffy quinoa, white beans, crisp cucumber, and red onion, all tossed in a zesty cilantro lime dressing made from fresh herbs, lime juice, and a hint of maple syrup. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect as a light meal or a flavorful side.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad Base:
- 1 cup quinoa, uncooked
- Pinch of salt
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans, rinsed and drained
- ⅓ cup red onion, finely diced
- ½ cucumber, deseeded and chopped
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, with stems
- 1 scallion, end removed
- 1–2 cloves garlic, crushed
- ¼ cup plain unsweetened plant-based yogurt or extra virgin olive oil
- Zest of one lime
- Juice of two limes
- ½ tsp coriander
- 1 tbsp white apple vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- Cook the Quinoa: Cook quinoa according to the package instructions in boiling water with a pinch of salt. Once cooked, fluff the quinoa with a fork and allow it to cool completely to prevent wilting the salad ingredients.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a food processor or blender, combine fresh cilantro with stems, scallion, crushed garlic, plant-based yogurt or olive oil, lime zest and juice, coriander, white apple vinegar, and maple syrup. Process everything until smooth to create a creamy, herbaceous dressing.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled quinoa. Toss in the rinsed and drained white beans, finely diced red onion, and chopped cucumber to add texture and freshness to the salad base.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared cilantro lime dressing over the quinoa mixture. Toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Serve or Chill: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately for a fresh, warm salad or chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and intensify before serving.
Notes
- Make sure to cool the quinoa completely before combining with the dressing to avoid wilting the fresh ingredients.
- Use plant-based yogurt for a creamier dressing or olive oil for a lighter option.
- This salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it great for meal prep.
- Add avocado or cherry tomatoes for extra flavor and texture if desired.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne or chili flakes to the dressing.
Keywords: cilantro lime quinoa salad, vegan quinoa salad, healthy quinoa salad, lime dressing, plant-based salad, quick salad recipe, protein-packed salad
Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/cilantro-lime-quinoa-salad-recipe/
