• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
freebie! download my top 8 dessert recipe ebook

Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

Erin Lives Whole

Healthy Eats + Delicious Treats

  • Recipe Index
    • Course
      • Appetizers
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch & Dinner
      • Dessert
      • Soup
      • Sides
      • Drinks
      • Snacks
      • Sauces & Dips
    • Dessert Type
      • Bars & Balls
      • Breads & Muffins
      • Brownies
      • Cakes
      • Candy
      • Cookies
      • Frozen
      • Pie & Cobbler
      • Other
    • Diet
      • Dairy-Free
      • Gluten-Free
      • Nut-Free
      • Paleo Friendly
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
    • Method
      • 30 Minute or Less
      • Air Fryer
      • Grill
      • Instant Pot
      • Meal Prep
      • No Bake
      • One Pot/Pan
      • Oven
      • Stove Top
    • Season
      • Fall
      • Holiday
      • Winter
      • Spring
      • Summer
    • Recipe Filter
    • All Recipes
  • Ebooks
  • Shop
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
  • Subscribe to receive latest recipes

    Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

  • Browse by Diet
    • Gluten-Free
    • Dairy-Free
    • Nut-Free
    • Paleo Friendly
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch & Dinner
  • Drinks
  • Snacks
  • Dessert
  • Appetizers
Home By Meal Lunch and Dinner

Mexican Quinoa Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

★★★★★ 10 Reviews Recipe Print
gf df nf v vg
By: Erin5/6/20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

mexican quinoa salad
mexican quinoa salad

Salads don’t have to be boring. Try this Mexican Quinoa Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing for a delicious, filling, veggie-packed meal! Topped with a creamy dressing, it’s sure to satisfy your savory meal cravings.

serving mexican quinoa salad

The most delicious Mexican quinoa salad

Like pretty much everyone I know, I love a good Taco Tuesday. It’s the perfect excuse to indulge in tacos, not to mention nachos and a margarita or two! Lately, however, I’ve been in the mood to mix things up. I decided to put a pause on the tacos and try my hand at making Mexican quinoa salad with cilantro lime dressing.

And boy, did it turn out well! This salad is a blend of delicious chopped veggies, filling and nutrient-rich quinoa, and a savory, creamy cilantro lime dressing. It’s the perfect finishing touch to an already delicious lettuce-less salad!

This dish can be customized to fit whatever mood in which you find yourself. Eat it as-is with quinoa, red onion, corn, black beans, peppers, and jalapeños, or mix things up and add tomatoes, avocados, or whatever your heart desires.

Next Tuesday, consider giving this recipe a try. It’s the perfect make-your-own meal for serving guests and would work really well as a taco salad bar. Dinner party, anyone?

mexican quinoa salad on plate

Ingredients used to make quinoa salad with lime dressing

When it comes the the ingredients for this recipe, there are two groups of items: those for the salad, and those for the dressing. The salad ingredients consist of lots of veggies, beans, and quinoa, and the dressing ingredients consist of oil, spices, and a few other items.

Salad:

  • Quinoa
  • Vegetable broth
  • Red onion
  • Corn
  • Black beans
  • Peppers*
  • Jalapeño
  • Cilantro

*For the peppers, I like to use one red and one yellow!

Dressing:

  • Olive oil
  • Lime juice
  • Garlic
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Cumin
  • Cilantro

Kitchen tools needed to make this salad

There are a handful of tools you’ll need to collect before you get started. Gather a large pot, a stirring utensil, a cutting board and chopping knife, and two mixing bowls (one large and one small).

You’ll also need a fork to fluff the quinoa, along with the following measuring cups: 1 tsp, 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.

mexican quinoa salad on plate

How to make Mexican quinoa salad with cilantro lime dressing

If you’re wondering how to cook quinoa with veggie broth, it’s easy! It cooks the same way that it does with water. After you’re done with that step, combine with the chopped veggies and cilantro, and then add the dressing. That’s it! In total, this recipe takes less than 30 minutes to prepare.

To create our Mexican quinoa salad, start by adding the quinoa and veggie broth to a pot. Bring to a boil.

Once at a boil, cook for ~15 minutes or until all of the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy. Use a fork to fluff.

Prepare all of the veggies and the cilantro and combine everything in a large mixing bowl.

Add in the quinoa, and then stir.

To make the cilantro lime dressing, mix all of the ingredients together in a small mixing bowl.

Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture, and stir again.

Serve at room temperature, and enjoy!

Delicious salad add-on options

If you find yourself wanting to jam-pack even more delicious veggies or ingredients into this recipe, here are some ideas you can try!

Veggies
Consider including tomato, avocado, or green onion for even more nutrients. You can also add a handful of romaine lettuce for a crunchy finishing touch!

Cheese
Love a good dose of cheese on top of your salads? Add cheddar, mozzarella, or a taco blend. You can also go crazy with… queso! YUM!

Protein
Quinoa and black beans provide a healthy serving of protein, but you can add meat if you’re in the mood for extra! Grilled or marinated chicken makes a great protein-rich option.

Optional substitutions

Don’t worry if you’re missing an ingredient or two! There are plenty of substitution options for almost all of the items included in this recipe.

  • Vegetable broth: You can use chicken broth in place of the veggie broth if you prefer! This will also add a bit of extra protein.
  • Red onion: You can use white onion if you’d like. You can also sprinkle green onions on top!
  • Black beans: If you’re out of black beans, kidney beans will do.
  • Olive oil: For the cilantro lime dressing, canola or coconut oil will work well in place of the olive oil.
mexican quinoa salad on plate

More delicious Mexican recipes

If you loved this quinoa salad, you’ll want to try my other Mexican recipes too! Here are some of my favorites. The Vegan Tempeh Tacos are always a hit, even with meat eaters!

  • Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • Avocado Corn Salsa
  • Mexican Quinoa Casserole
  • Vegan Tempeh Tacos
  • Healthy Seven Layer Dip

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Quarter Soul Crisis

serving mexican quinoa salad
★★★★★ 5 from 10 reviews

Mexican Quinoa Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

Salads don’t have to be boring. Try this Mexican Quinoa Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing for a delicious, filling, veggie-packed meal! Topped with a creamy dressing, it’s sure to satisfy your savory meal cravings.

Prep: 15Cook: 15Total: 30 minutes
Yield 8 servings 1x
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/2 diced red onion
  • 1 can corn, rinsed
  • 1 can black beans, rinsed
  • 2 peppers, diced (I used one red + yellow)
  • 1 jalapeno, deseeded and diced
  • 1/3 packed cup cilantro, chopped.

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup lime juice (fresh squeezed)
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. In a pot, add quinoa and veggie broth. Bring to a boil.
  2. Once at a boil, cook for ~15 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Use a fork to fluff.
  3. Prepare all vegetables and cilantro and combine in a large mixing bowl.
  4. Add in quinoa and stir to combine.
  5. For the dressing, mix all ingredients together in a small mixing bowl.
  6. Pour overtop of the quinoa mixture. Stir to combine.
  7. Serve at room temperature and store in fridge.
Author: Erin MorrisseyCategory: Side DishMethod: stovetopCuisine: MexicanDiet: Gluten Free
serving mexican quinoa salad

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

erinliveswhole

There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

You May Also Like...

  • cranberry quinoa salad
    Cranberry Quinoa Salad
  • quinoa casserole in a dish
    Mexican Quinoa Casserole
  • avocado corn salad
    Avocado Corn Salad
  • fall harvest salad
    Fall Harvest Salad
chocolate chip cookies
free ebook

get my free top 8 desserts ebook!

A dessert lover’s heaven – six healthier sweet treats all made with six ingredients or less!

download now

Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

Previous Post
Next Post

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Use the form below to submit your question or comment. I love seeing what you made!

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Audrey says

    Posted on 12/4 at 3:40 pm

    This is now my FAVORITE go to work lunch. It’s so delicious, and super simple to make! Love ELW!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/5 at 1:13 pm

      Hi Audrey, so glad you loved it! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Kimberly Haka says

    Posted on 7/31 at 2:13 pm

    I have always struggled seasoning quinoa. This is the perfect balance of flavors. A hit with the whole fam!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/1 at 1:56 pm

      Hi Kimberly, so happy you all enjoyed it so much! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Sydney says

    Posted on 4/26 at 8:30 pm

    This quinoa salad is so delicious & has quickly become one of my go-to recipes to make! Such an easy recipe to make and never disappoints!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/27 at 3:45 pm

      Hi Sydney, so happy you loved it!! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Sam says

    Posted on 3/28 at 10:52 am

    Was looking for a quinoa salad to make and came right to the ELW website for inspiration and so happy I did. This was delicious and so easy to make. I love quinoa salads because I always have leftovers for lunch which is even better!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 3/28 at 5:54 pm

      Hi Sam, so glad you enjoyed it!! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Jenny says

    Posted on 8/8 at 11:30 am

    I make this salad all the time!! It has so much flavor and is such an easy meal-prep option for weekday lunches. Has also been a hit at summer picnics. Sometimes I use chicken bone broth instead of vegetable broth for added protein, or I throw some spicy shrimp on top and serve for dinner. Absolutely delicious!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/9 at 4:12 pm

      Hi Jenny, I am so glad you loved it and made it your own!! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Megan MacTurk says

    Posted on 7/26 at 9:03 pm

    This was so light and fresh — the perfect side dish to a summer meal! I subbed the canned corn with TJ’s frozen roasted corn and it was great. Can’t wait to make it again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 7/27 at 2:57 pm

      Hi Megan, I am so happy you enjoyed it and made it your own!

      Reply
  7. Kelly says

    Posted on 7/20 at 5:42 am

    We have made this several times, it is always a hit. Healthy and easy recipe to take to a friends house, for a party, or a picnic!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 7/20 at 9:41 pm

      Hi Kelly, so glad you loved the salad!!

      Reply
  8. Katie says

    Posted on 5/30 at 10:29 am

    We had friends over last night to grill out, and this far and away was the standout dish of the night. I made a couple of small changes to suit my taste; I’m not a fan of peppers, so I used chopped spinach in their place. And, I put all of the cilantro in sauce – strictly for my ease. All of my guests were raving about how delicious this was and have subsequently asked for the recipe. I’ll be adding this into my regular rotation. Absolutely fantastic!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/1 at 4:57 pm

      Hi Katie, so glad you liked the salad and made it your own!! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Shannon says

    Posted on 1/3 at 8:58 pm

    So so good! All of Erin’s recipes have inspired me to get into cooking! Looking forward to trying more

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/4 at 3:25 pm

      Hi Shannon, thanks for your kind words!!

      Reply
  10. Tyler says

    Posted on 1/3 at 3:29 pm

    This is one of my go to recipes to meal prep for the week! I usually add chicken and bring to work for a healthy lunch. It’s so flavorful and easy to make!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/4 at 1:31 pm

      Hi Tyler, I am so glad you enjoyed it and made it your own! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Jessica says

    Posted on 7/1 at 5:29 pm

    “I come to you again, asking you to try every ELW recipe” – Bernie Sanders & Me! This salad was so easy and since I follow Erin’s recipes a lot I had all the ingredients on hand- love the consistency 🙂 seriously though, this salad is delicious and easy to make! The dressing is so light and perfect for summer

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/2 at 11:49 pm

      Hi Jessica, hahaa I love that quote! 🙂 Thank you for all of your support and happy to hear you love the salad! 🙂

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

erin in front of a building

Hey there!

I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

grocery lists

Shop My Grocery Downloads

Do you head to the grocery store and feel overwhelmed with all of the options? Well, I've created FIVE downloadable and printable grocery lists from five different and popular grocery stores. All of my absolute must haves from Whole Foods, Target, a regular grocer, Trader Joe's, and Costco!

Shop Now

Popular Posts

chickpea brownie on a tray

Chickpea Brownies

bite out of healthy cookie dough ball

Healthy Cookie Dough Balls

cauliflower wings on plate

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

pouring syrup on stack of oatmeal blender pancakes

Oatmeal Blender Pancakes

chocolate chip cookies

get my free top 8 desserts ebook!

A dessert lover’s heaven – six healthier sweet treats all made with six ingredients or less!

Download Now

Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

Trending Recipes

avocado corn salad

Avocado Corn Salad

cilantro lime shrimp on plate

Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Coconut Cauliflower Rice

paleo cookie skillet with ice cream

Healthy Cookie Skillet

banana bread muffin on a rack

Paleo Banana Bread Muffins

Featured On

good housekeeping logo
parade logo
feed feed logo
business insider logo
everyday health logo
country living logo
bar desserts
truffles
bar desserts
bar desserts
muffins
vanilla birthday cake with chocolate icing

Get latest updates To your inbox!

Back to Top
© 2023 Erin Lives Whole
  • Privacy Policy
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled