This Quinoa Black Bean Salad with fresh Mexican flavors is the perfect side dish to just about any summer meal and it also makes for the perfect lunch! It’s brimming with so much bright fresh goodness, plus it’s filling and totally satisfying. Not to mention it’s perfectly healthy too!

Healthy Quinoa Salad Recipe

Just look at the list of ingredients. You get protein from the quinoa and black beans, healthy fats from the avocado and olive oil, and lots of vitamins and minerals from just about everything here.

So in other words, this easy quinoa black bean salad is something you can feel great about eating. It’s delicious paired with grilled chicken, and of course salmon would be another great option.

Quinoa is such a versatile ingredient, the flavor just goes so well with just about anything. It’s such a tasty, hearty base for this delicious salad!

If you have leftover quinoa in the fridge I’m thinking it would be even better than the freshly cooked stuff here. The salad is a little wet but with leftover quinoa it would soak more of that up. Just use what you’ve got, either way it will be completely delicious!

Quinoa Black Bean Salad Ingredients

For this quinoa and mango avocado salad recipe, you’ll need:

  • Quinoa
  • Low-sodium chicken broth
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Honey
  • Spices (cumin, ginger, cayenne)
  • Canned black beans
  • Produce (mango, limes, bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, avocado)

How to Make Quinoa Salad

  • First, rinse quinoa and cook in chicken broth (it adds great flavor), let cool.
  • Second, whisk together dressing ingredients in a bowl.
  • Last, add salad ingredients to a large bowl and toss with dressing.

How Can I Make it Vegan?

This quinoa black bean avocado salad can easily be made vegan by using vegetable broth in place of chicken broth and maple syrup in place of the honey.

Can I Make This Salad in Advance?

This mango black bean avocado salad is best within one to two hours of making it. The avocado starts to brown and the mango makes the quinoa a little soggy after a while. You can definitely cook the quinoa and chop the veggies in advance though!

Tips for the Best Quinoa Salad

  • Make sure you’re using ripe mangos in this salad. If the mangos aren’t ripe, they’ll be too hard and won’t have much flavor.
  • If you can’t find mangos at your grocery store, diced fresh pineapple would probably work well here.
  • Make sure to rinse the quinoa well before cooking it, otherwise it may taste bitter.

More Quinoa Salad Recipes You’ll Love:

  • Berry Kale Quinoa Salad with Honey Lime Poppy Seed Dressing
  • Autumn Apple Kale Quinoa Salad
  • Thai Peanut Quinoa Salad
  • Sun Dried Tomato Quinoa Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

More Quinoa Recipes to Try:

  • Grilled Chicken and Quinoa Burrito Bowls with Avocado Salsa
  • Vegetarian Quinoa Chili
  • Slow Cooker Enchilada Quinoa Bake
  • Grilled Greek Chicken Quinoa Bowls
  • One Pan Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Quinoa

5 from 11 votes Review Recipe

Quinoa Black Bean Salad {with Mango & Avocado}

This is my favorite Quinoa Salad! Tender quinoa is tossed together black beans, lots of fresh veggies and it’s all coated with a bright honey lime dressing. Everyone will love this! If you plan on leftovers then add the avocado to individual portions so it doesn’t brown. 

Servings: 6

Prep15 minutesCook20 minutesReady in: 35 minutes

Ingredients1 cup dry quinoa1 (14.5 oz) can low-sodium chicken brothSalt3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil3 Tbsp fresh lime juice2 tsp honey1/2 tsp ground cumin1/4 tsp ground ginger1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)1 can black beans, drained and rinsed1 medium mango, peeled, cored and diced1 red bell pepper, cored and chopped1/2 cup sliced green onions1/3 cup chopped cilantro1 medium avocado (semi-firm but ripe), cored and diced

InstructionsRinse quinoa well in a fine mesh strainer. Transfer to a medium saucepan along with chicken broth and 1/4 cup water and season lightly with salt to taste. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer until water has been absorbed, about 15 - 20 minutes. Let cool*.In a small mixing bowl whisk together olive oil, lime juice, honey, cumin, ginger and cayenne pepper.In a large bowl or salad bowl toss together quinoa, black beans, mango, bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, avocado and dressing. Season with salt to taste and serve.

Notes *To quickly cool quinoa, transfer to a bowl and place in freezer and toss occasionally. It should be cool enough by the time you’ve chopped veggies and made the dressing. Left over quinoa would probably even work better as it will absorb better (it should measure 3 cups). Note that the salad should be eating within and hour or two for best results as the avocado will start to brown and juices from the veggies will break down. Make it vegan by using vegetable broth in place of chicken broth and maple syrup in place of honey. Recipe source: inspired by Our Best Bites

Nutrition Facts Quinoa Black Bean Salad {with Mango & Avocado}

	Amount Per Serving

Calories 314 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%Saturated Fat 1g6%Sodium 177mg8%Potassium 674mg19%Carbohydrates 41g14%Fiber 9g38%Sugar 7g8%Protein 8g16% Vitamin A 1285IU26%Vitamin C 50mg61%Calcium 54mg5%Iron 3.3mg18% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Course: SaladCuisine: AmericanKeyword: Quinoa Salad Author: Jaclyn

5 from 11 votes

Review Recipe

Nutrition Facts Quinoa Black Bean Salad {with Mango & Avocado}

	Amount Per Serving

Calories 314 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%Saturated Fat 1g6%Sodium 177mg8%Potassium 674mg19%Carbohydrates 41g14%Fiber 9g38%Sugar 7g8%Protein 8g16% Vitamin A 1285IU26%Vitamin C 50mg61%Calcium 54mg5%Iron 3.3mg18% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Nutrition Facts

Quinoa Black Bean Salad {with Mango & Avocado}

	Amount Per Serving

Calories 314 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 177mg8%

Potassium 674mg19%

Carbohydrates 41g14%

Fiber 9g38%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 8g16%

Vitamin A 1285IU26%

Vitamin C 50mg61%

Calcium 54mg5%

Iron 3.3mg18%

  • Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: SaladCuisine: AmericanKeyword: Quinoa Salad

Author: Jaclyn