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Southwestern Quinoa Salad with Lime Dressing and Cotija Cheese

July 14, 2016 36 Comments

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This Southwestern Quinoa Salad with Lime Dressing and Cotija Cheese is healthy, fresh and delicious and studded with good for you veggies! It’s nice and light and perfect for summer!

Southwestern Quinoa Salad with Lime Dressing and Cotija Cheese

I’m in the mood for a healthy quinoa salad loaded with fresh veggies, tossed in a light lime dressing and sprinkled with some flavorful, sharp cotija cheese. Care to join me? I hope so, because that’s just what I’m serving up today at the BHK! And take it from me AND my two fabulous neighbors, Joan and Jill who I shared this one with, it’s totally dee-lish! It’s also a cinch to make AND it’s over the top good for you!

Southwestern Quinoa Salad with Lime Dressing and Cotija Cheese

When Tom and I are out of town we can always count on Joan and Jill to watch the house. They take in our mail, bring up our trash cans and make sure no shenanigans are going on while we’re away…they’re the best! So as a little thank you, every so often I pop over to share something I’ve baked up for the blog. Most of the time, it’s a dessert or some other type of sweet treat. But this past week when I made this quinoa salad, I thought they might enjoy it, so I dropped some off. The next morning, I got a text from Joan saying they absolutely loved it and that she must get the recipe. So here it is Joan!

Southwestern Quinoa Salad with Lime Dressing and Cotija Cheese

The quinoa is the star of this salad. If you’re not familiar with quinoa, it has a mild flavor with a light crunch and it’s packed with nutrition. It’s a “complete protein” which means it provides all 9 essential amino acids necessary for good health. The one cup of quinoa in this recipe contains 8g of protein, 5g of fiber, iron, magnesium, folate and heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids. It doesn’t get any healthier guys!

Southwestern Quinoa Salad with Lime Dressing and Cotija Cheese

I’ve added some chopped orange pepper, grape tomatoes, fresh corn, black beans and scallions to this recipe and tossed it all in a light lime dressing with a bit of cumin to spice it up. I also topped it with a little sprinkle of one of my faves, cotija cheese. This salad takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and is perfect for summer barbecues and picnics. Enjoy friends!

Southwestern Quinoa Salad with Lime Dressing and Cotija Cheese

Southwestern Quinoa Salad with Lime Dressing and Cotija Cheese

 

5 from 1 vote
Southwestern Quinoa Salad with Lime Dressing and Cotija Cheese
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Southwestern Quinoa Salad with Lime Dressing and Cotija Cheese
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 
Servings: 4
Author: Mary Ann Dwyer
Ingredients
  • 1 cup white quinoa, rinsed (I use Bob's Red Mill)
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 15 oz. can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup orange pepper chopped
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes quartered
  • 1 cup fresh corn about 2 ears, cooked and cut from the cob
  • 1/3 cup scallions chopped
  • 1 cup cotija cheese crumbled
  • Dressing:
  • 3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. fresh oregano finely chopped (or 1/2 tsp. dried)
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
Instructions
  1. In a 2 quart saucepan, bring 2 cups vegetable broth to a boil. Add quinoa and reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes until the broth is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients.
  3. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, black beans, orange pepper, tomatoes, corn and scallions. Toss with the dressing. Sprinkle with the cotija cheese.

 

 

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Filed Under: Salads, Side Dish, Vegetarian Tagged With: black beans, cojita cheese, corn, orange peppers, quinoa, salad, scallions, side dish, tomatoes, vegetarian

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Comments

  1. Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says

    July 14, 2016 at 7:03 am

    Gorgeous salad! I’m in love with quinoa because it is light and works with so many different flavor combinations. It also holds up well in the fridge so you can have leftovers if you are lucky enough to have anything left.

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      July 14, 2016 at 7:47 am

      I totally agree Karen. It does hold up really well! This salad is my go-to healthy salad all summer long! Have a great weekend my friend!

      Reply
  2. Alida | Simply Delicious says

    July 14, 2016 at 7:14 am

    This salad looks SO good Mary Ann. I would make a big batch at the beginning of the week and snack on it all week long. Yum!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      July 14, 2016 at 7:47 am

      Thanks so much Alida! It’s a favorite of mine all summer long!

      Reply
  3. Emily says

    July 14, 2016 at 7:42 am

    These are the salads I could live on. :) So bright, colorful, and nourishing. Quinoa is one of the faves for adding into salads too. What a delightful lunch to make for your neighbors. I have really great neighbors as well and it’s something I am so thankful for!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      July 14, 2016 at 7:49 am

      Me too Emily! Joan and Jill are just fabulous neighbors! I love this salad because of the taste but also because of all the colors! Hope you enjoy!

      Reply
  4. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    July 14, 2016 at 7:45 am

    I’m starting to think we share a similar brain, Mary Ann because I have a SW quinoa salad coming up in a few weeks, but it’s pretty different than this one. Yours is just beautiful with all the color and fresh produce!! Plus that lime dressing sounds deeelish indeed! This would be SO perfect for a picnic or as a stellar summer side at a BBQ! And I bet the Leftovers taste amazing… if they make it that far! ;) I know I’ll be eating bowl after bowl of this salad! Cheers, dear friend- to wonderful neighbors and a lovely weekend! <3

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      July 14, 2016 at 7:50 am

      So funny! Me too Cheyanne! Leftovers are always delicious if there happens to be any left! And just perfect for picnics and bbq’s!You have a fabulous weekend too my friend! XO

      Reply
  5. Cathy | whatshouldimakefor.com says

    July 14, 2016 at 12:40 pm

    love that bright lime dressing with the nutty quinoa. your neighbors are lucky to have you dropping by with sweet treats and yummy salads. wish i lived next door!!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      July 14, 2016 at 2:39 pm

      I’m sure living next to you is awesome too!! This salad is so delicious Cathy! Nice and light for summer.

      Reply
  6. Rose says

    July 14, 2016 at 1:41 pm

    Looks amazing! My sister is in town and we are making it tonight. Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      July 14, 2016 at 2:40 pm

      I think you both will love this one Rose!! So light and good for you!

      Reply
  7. rebecca | DisplacedHousewife says

    July 14, 2016 at 2:27 pm

    This looks like the perfect combination of healthy and delicious!!! Love this Mary Ann!! xoxo

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      July 14, 2016 at 2:40 pm

      Thanks so much Rebecca! It really is a favorite!

      Reply
  8. Gerlinde @ Sunnycovechef says

    July 14, 2016 at 2:27 pm

    This looks wonderful Mary Ann. Isn’t it great to have good neighbors, I always share my food. Unfortunately, I haven’t done a lot of cooking.

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      July 14, 2016 at 2:41 pm

      My neighbors really loved this one Gerlinde! I hope you enjoy it if you give it a try!

      Reply
  9. Sarah says

    July 14, 2016 at 2:32 pm

    This actually looks surprisingly a lot like the traditional quinoa with vegetables that they served in Peru when we were there! (Minus the cheese though). I love quinoa and the addition of all the colors makes this side just perfect!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      July 14, 2016 at 2:42 pm

      Thanks so much Sarah! I had to add the cotija cheese because we all know cheese (like chocolate) makes everything better!

      Reply
  10. Laura | Tutti Dolci says

    July 14, 2016 at 5:50 pm

    I just love this salad for summer eating. Gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      July 14, 2016 at 7:33 pm

      Thanks so much Laura! It definitely is a summer fave!

      Reply
  11. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says

    July 15, 2016 at 12:16 am

    Lucky neighbors! It sounds like a great trade to me. This salad looks wonderful and full of great nutritious food.

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      July 15, 2016 at 10:28 am

      I think we were thinking along the same lines this week Kathy! Nice and light and healthy for summer! Have a great weekend!

      Reply
  12. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says

    July 15, 2016 at 12:51 pm

    Absolutely perfect and so, so pretty, too. Always a bonus in my book :)

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      July 15, 2016 at 4:18 pm

      Thanks Jennifer! Summer foods are always the best!

      Reply
  13. Zainab says

    July 15, 2016 at 10:04 pm

    This looks light and perfect for any summer day. It looks so light!!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      July 16, 2016 at 9:59 am

      It is Zainab! Packed with all deliciously healthy things!

      Reply
  14. Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says

    July 16, 2016 at 12:00 pm

    This is my favorite kind of salad, Mary Ann. Lots of fresh, seasonal veggies tossed with quinoa and a lovely dressing. I don’t add lime to dressing very often but you’ve inspired me. And I have to look out for cotija cheese – I haven’t tried that before. Hope you have a great weekend.

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      July 16, 2016 at 3:11 pm

      The cotija cheese is the BEST Geraldine! It’s definitely worth searching for it! Nice and sharp like parmesan! Enjoy my friend! Hope your weekend’s fab!

      Reply
  15. Traci | Vanilla And Bean says

    July 20, 2016 at 8:49 am

    Having great neighbors is such a gift, Mary Ann. Really. After living in our home for 15 years, we’ve seen a few new neighbors move in.. we miss our old friends very much. They were such good neighbors. Knowing you have someone to depend on while you’re away is a good feeling. Sharing delicious food is a sweet way to show your neighbors how much you appreciate them! I know I’d certainly appreciate a bowlful of goodness like this! Quinoa is such a fabulous and nourishing staple and is perfect for salads like this. And that it holds up in the fridge.. even better! I’m soooo ready for local corn with a bit of cotija! Thank you for this Mary Ann! Delicious!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      July 20, 2016 at 5:05 pm

      This is my new favorite summer salad Traci! All the fresh veggies and that cotija cheese…yum! Hard to share! Ha!

      Reply
  16. Cristina says

    July 21, 2016 at 3:54 pm

    I love all the flavors you’ve used in this southwestern quinoa salad…and everything is always better with cotija cheese! Making this for sure!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      July 21, 2016 at 4:47 pm

      Thanks so much Cristina! It really is quite delicious and the cotija cheese puts it over the top! It’s a must!

      Reply
  17. Molly @ Spices in My DNA says

    August 26, 2016 at 3:17 pm

    Just made this today for lunch and it was amazing! Can’t wait to have it for leftovers this weekend!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      August 26, 2016 at 4:42 pm

      So glad you enjoyed it Molly! I love that one too! It’s so easy and leftovers are even better! Thanks so much for commenting and have a great weekend!

      Reply
  18. Sneha says

    November 12, 2020 at 5:10 pm

    This recipe is crazy good! I had leftover cotija cheese that I needed to finish and came across this recipe. I had to use frozen corn, but it was still great. I also added some chili powder.

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      November 12, 2020 at 6:24 pm

      So happy you enjoy it! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment.

      Reply

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