Tropical Quinoa Salad Pineapple (Printable Version)

Vibrant blend of quinoa, pineapple, black beans & crisp vegetables with zesty lime dressing for a refreshing dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 2 cups water

→ Fruits and Vegetables

03 - 1.5 cups fresh pineapple, diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 0.5 small red onion, finely chopped
07 - 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
08 - 0.5 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
09 - 1 avocado, diced

→ Dressing

10 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
12 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
15 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and cool to room temperature.
02 - In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, pineapple, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, red onion, black beans, and cilantro.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, maple syrup, cumin, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
05 - Just before serving, fold in the diced avocado.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Tips for Success:

01 -
  • It tastes like a vacation in a bowl without requiring any cooking skill or fancy equipment.
  • The whole thing comes together in under 35 minutes, so you can actually eat it the same day inspiration strikes.
  • It stays delicious for days in the fridge, making it perfect for when meal prep feels less like a chore and more like setting yourself up for success.
02 -
  • Avocado will brown if added too early, so truly wait until the last second before serving or eating, even if it feels like an extra step.
  • The lime juice needs to be fresh squeezed because bottled tastes chemically muted and changes the whole flavor balance.
03 -
  • Rinse your quinoa properly or it will taste bitter and earthy in a way that overshadows everything else.
  • Prep everything but the avocado and dressing the night before, then assemble in five minutes when hunger hits.
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