A zesty Cilantro Lime Quinoa mixed with earthy nutritious black beans makes the perfect gluten free side dish for your Mexican food fiesta!
Mexican Cilantro Lime Quinoa
Isn’t it nice when life gets back to normal?
We just came through about a 2 week period where we went to Napa, had my parents in town for a week and a half, had a birthday party, and then dog sat for my brother. Yesterday afternoon our house was finally silent.
No people talking, no barking dogs or fighting, no picking up after people or making sure we have certain foods in the house. Don’t get me wrong I like to be hospitable, serve people and make dinners. But sometimes it is nice to not have any plans, to be able to clean the house and have it STAY clean, and to do nothing!
Speaking of doing nothing, that is basically what you do for this tasty gluten free dish I’m sharing with you today!
It’s one of those side dishes that you put in the pot and forget about until the final “add the flavor” moment. LOVE THAT! Plus, it is…. yup… a MEXICAN DISH! 🙂
If you haven’t noticed yet, I am basically giving you every element you need for one tasty Cinco de Mayo Fiesta… minus the drinks. I will let you take care of those!
This Cilantro Lime Quinoa with Black Beans is perfect for those of you who are gluten free. It is also vegetarian or would be a perfect side dish for those of you who “eat the meat.” {I ate it with the Grilled Fajita Skirt Steak} To make this dish Paleo worthy, just omit the black beans. So, as you can see, this dish is super flexible but also super delicious! I mean.. just look at it… don’t you want to take a bite?
How to Make this Mexican Quinoa Recipe
To get started, bring 2 cups of water and 1 cup quinoa to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes or until all the water is gone. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
Fluff quinoa with a fork. Next add 1 teaspoon of lime zest, juice of 1 lime, 3 smashed garlic cloves {for directions on how to garlic click here}, and one 15 oz. can of low sodium black beans that have been drained and rinsed.
Toss together. Next add 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro and salt and pepper to taste.
Toss to combine everything and serve. This would be perfect with the Grilled Fajitas Skirt Steak and Chimichurri Sauce.
Cilantro Lime Quinoa with Black Beans
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
A zesty Cilantro Lime Quinoa mixed with earthy nutritious black beans makes the perfect gluten free side dish for your Mexican food fiesta!
Ingredients
- 1 cup of quinoa
- 2 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon of lime zest
- juice of 1 lime
- 3 tablespoons of fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 3 roasted garlic cloves, smashed or smeared {directions on how to roast garlic}
- 1 {15 oz.) can of low sodium black beans, drained & rinsed
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- Bring water and quinoa to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes or until all the water is gone.
- Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
- Fluff quinoa with a fork.
- Next add lime zest, lime juice, smashed garlic cloves, and low sodium black beans.
- Toss together.
- Next add chopped fresh cilantro and salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss to combine everything and serve.
- This would be perfect with the Grilled Fajitas Skirt Steak and Chimichurri Sauce.
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For more Quinoa Recipes:
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28 comments on “Cilantro Lime Quinoa with Black Beans”
1 cup of cooked or uncooked quinoa? Want to make it for dinner tonight!
One cup of uncooked.
Can I use minced garlic instead of roasted garlic?
sure… you definitely could Danielle!
healthy and tasty quinoa.. love it
Thanks Veena.. it is seriously delicious!
This is a really yummy looking dish. I will make it!
Kathi
Awesome Kathi! Can’t wait to hear what you think of the dish! 🙂
Krista, I’m sure it was sure silent after everyone left… including the dog. I love how you incorporated all of these flavors and textures in one dish!
Especially after the dogs left… their “playing/fighting” was loud and distracting. Our dog was pooped after the house was empty. 🙂
Yes, I do want to take a bite!! It looks delicious Krista, and I can totally relate to things being calm and quiet. The older I get, the less drama I want to deal with. 😉 Pinned and Stumbled
haha.. exactly… peace and calm please! 🙂 Thank for the pin and stumble my friend!
I love when life slows down a bit and gets back to normal with no plans 🙂 We are finally at that point too and this dish sounds perfect since it comes together so easily! I love the Mexican flavors in this quinoa and adding the black beans with cilantro and lime sounds awesome!
How are you guys doing after the baby? After that first 2 weeks you bring the baby home its craziness around the house, I hope life is justing to get back together again. 🙂 So glad you enjoyed the recipe girl!
Thanks Krista – we are doing well but still adjusting. It’s still a little bit cray cray some days but definitely much calmer 🙂 Hope you guys are well and enjoying the weekend 🙂
Good Kelly, I’m so glad to hear that!
I just recently started making quinoa at home and I love it. This recipe looks so fresh and delicious. I’m thinking if making something similar for mystery dish. You actually used three ingredients here!
Oh.. I almost did that Zainab… glad I didn’t or we would have had the same thing! 🙂 Quinoa rocks though, so good choice!
Krista, this looks so good! Cilantro and lime are such a great flavor combination, and I love that you added it to quinoa with those black beans. 🙂
Thanks so much Marcie, means alot coming from you. You ARE a culinary expert now, with a degree/certificate from cooking school! 🙂
I’m loving these Mexican flavors Krista!! And love that reply comment you made to Mike “Well… I almost named it Mike’s Cilantro Lime Quinoa but decided to change it. {not high in SEO… hehe}”…. hahahaha so funny!
Well… sometimes I can be funny but have to try really really hard. Its not as natural like you Chris, I’m always laughing at your posts! 🙂
So glad you liked the dish, it would be right up your alley with the healthy living thing you got going on. 🙂
I loooooove quinoa and I love Mexican food, this dish has Mike written all over it! 😉
Well… I almost named it Mike’s Cilantro Lime Quinoa but decided to change it. {not high in SEO… hehe}
I typically make quinoa for lunch during the week and this recipe looks incredible. Love the Mexican flavors! I’m definitely add this one to the rotation soon! Hope you had a great weekend, Krista!
Thanks Ashley, thats a great idea, I need to start doing that for lunch! So glad you liked the recipe girl! 🙂
Love this! I am always looking for side dishes to serve with Mexican meals!
Thanks Kathy, glad you have another side dish to add to your repertoire.