Imagine a dish that's not just a meal, but a vibrant culinary journey packed with nutrition, color, and mind-blowing flavors! This Black Bean Quinoa Bowl isn't just another recipe—it's a Mexican-inspired masterpiece that will revolutionize your lunch and dinner routine. Bursting with protein-rich quinoa, hearty black beans, and a rainbow of fresh vegetables, this bowl is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will make your taste buds dance and your body thank you.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa thoroughly in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water to remove any bitter coating.
- In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
- While quinoa is cooking, prepare your vegetables. Dice the bell pepper into small, uniform cubes and drain the black beans.
- Once quinoa is cooked, remove from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes to steam, then fluff with a fork.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, and diced bell pepper. Gently mix to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Season the mixture with lime juice, salt, and pepper. Toss to ensure all ingredients are well-seasoned.
- Slice the avocado into thin, even slices just before serving to prevent browning.
- Divide the quinoa mixture evenly among four serving bowls.
- Top each bowl with avocado slices and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.
- Serve immediately while warm, and enjoy your nutritious Black Bean Quinoa Bowl.
Tips
- Quinoa Perfection: Always rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove the natural saponin coating, which can make it taste bitter. Use a fine-mesh strainer for best results.
- Water Ratio Matters: Stick to the 2:1 water-to-quinoa ratio for fluffy, perfectly cooked grains every single time.
- Vegetable Prep: Dice your bell peppers into uniform small cubes to ensure even cooking and a beautiful presentation.
- Avocado Timing: Slice avocados just before serving to prevent browning and maintain their fresh, creamy texture.
- Seasoning Secret: Don't be shy with lime juice and salt—they're key to bringing out the full flavor profile of this bowl.
- Make It Your Own: Feel free to add protein like grilled chicken or tofu, or swap vegetables based on what's in season.
- Meal Prep Friendly: This recipe can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for quick, healthy meals throughout the week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 237kcal
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
