Mango and Quinoa Salad has fresh mango, red pepper, black bean, and tri-color quinoa with an easy lime chili garlic dressing. A quick and healthy side or main dish.
Ingredients
For the mango, you can use fresh or frozen mango chunks. If using frozen, thaw mango first.
About Quinoa
I like using tri-colored quinoa for this recipe because of the flavor. Tri-color quinoa consists of white, black, and red quinoa.
Is Quinoa Salad Healthy?
Quinoa is rich in protein, gluten-free, full of fiber, vitamins, amino acids, and minerals. With the addition of mango, black beans, and red pepper; you get even more vitamins, fiber, folate, and iron. To make not only a healthy but super tasty salad.
What is Quinoa?
Though eaten the same way as a grain, quinoa is actually a seed that comes from a plant similar to spinach. It is a starch that can be cooked the same way as rice.
There are over 100 kinds of quinoa, but the most common we see in the US are red, white, and black. Quinoa is an ancient seed that has been consumed for centuries, possibly over 4,000 years. The most ancient varieties come from Bolivia.
How to Cook Quinoa
Stovetop Directions:
You can cook the quinoa on the stove according to package directions or in an Instant Pot.
Read the package directions to see if it wants you to rinse the quinoa first. Why rinse quinoa? It removes the natural coating, called saponin which can taste bitter or soapy. Many brands come pre-rinsed though. If not rinsed, rinse quinoa with a fine-mesh strainer.
Instant Pot Directions:
Place 1 cup of quinoa and 1.5 cups of water in the Instant Pot. Close and lock the lid. Switch the valve to “Sealing.” Press the “Pressure Cook” button on the Instant Pot and adjust the cook time to 2 minutes. Once the quinoa is done cooking, manually release the pressure by switching the valve to “Venting.”
How to Make Mango and Quinoa Salad
- Once the quinoa is cooked, Place quinoa, mango, red pepper, and black beans in a medium bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine lime juice, oil, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over quinoa mixture then add fresh cilantro. Stir until combined.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Variations/Additions
- Add some protein such as chicken or shrimp if desired.
- Avocado would be another yummy addition.
- Spice it up with some diced jalapeno
What to Serve with Chili Mango Zesty Quinoa Salad
- Grilled chicken, fish, shrimp
- Tacos
How to Store Quinoa Mango Cilantro Salad
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
More Quinoa Recipes
Other Recipes to Try
Mango Quinoa Salad
Equipment
- Instant Pot or medium saucepan
- medium bowl
- small bowl
Ingredients
cook the quinoa
- 1 cup tri-colored quinoa uncooked
- 1½ cups water
- 1 cup mango diced
- ½ red bell pepper diced
- 1 cup black beans, drained rinsed
- 2 limes juiced
- 3 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa with a fine-mesh strainer if the package indicates. Cook quinoa according to package directions or in the Instant Pot (see notes).
- Place quinoa, mango, red pepper, and black beans in a medium bowl.In a small bowl, combine lime juice, oil, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pour over the quinoa mixture then add fresh cilantro. Stir until entirely combined.
- Serve warm or chilled.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to days.
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