Fresh Quinoa and Corn Salad

Name: Fresh Quinoa and Corn Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Global
Ingredients: 1 cup uncooked quinoa; 2 cups water; 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed; 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or canned; 1 ripe avocado, diced; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons lime juice; 1 teaspoon chipotle powder; Salt and pepper to taste

This vibrant salad is a refreshing blend of protein packed quinoa and sweet corn with a zesty chipotle lime dressing.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 Global· July 20, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

15 minutes

Total

30 minutes

Serves

There is something so satisfying about a salad that actually keeps you full. This dish is a regular in my kitchen because it combines the earthiness of quinoa with sweet corn and creamy avocado, making it perfect for a light lunch or a side dish at your next barbecue.

My biggest tip for this one is to make sure your quinoa is completely cool before you toss it with the other ingredients. If it is still warm, the avocado tends to get a little mushy, and you want those nice, clean chunks in every bite.

🧺 Ingredients

1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups water
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup corn kernels, fresh or canned
1 ripe avocado, diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon chipotle powder
Salt and pepper to taste

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water using a fine mesh strainer.
2
Bring the water to a boil in a medium pot, add the quinoa, then lower the heat to a simmer and cover for about 15 minutes until the water is absorbed.
3
Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork and let it cool down to room temperature.
4
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, chipotle powder, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled quinoa, black beans, corn, red onion, and cilantro.
6
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
7
Fold in the diced avocado right before serving so it stays fresh.

💡 Tips

Store the dressing separately if you plan to keep leftovers for more than a day to keep the vegetables crisp. This salad tastes great on its own or tucked inside a warm tortilla for a quick taco night.

#healthy #vegetarian #vegan #gluten free #high protein

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.