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Patricia M.

Gluten-Free Mexican Quinoa Salad

A quick and colorful Mexican-inspired quinoa salad made with black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, jalapeño, and fresh lime juice. Serve it as a light main course or a flavorful side dish.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: International, Mexican

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1 –1.5 cups water
  • 1 cob corn or ½ cup cooked corn kernels
  • ¼ red onion
  • 1 cup cooked black beans
  • 2 tomatoes
  • 1 avocado ripe but firm
  • ½ cup cilantro
  • 1 jalapeño
  • 2 limes
  • Sea salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Trivet
  • Large salad bowl
  • Cutting board
  • Chef’s knife
  • Spoon or spatula for fluffing and mixing

Method
 

  1. Cook the Quinoa and Corn: Add the quinoa, water, and sea salt to the Instant Pot. Place the trivet inside, then set the corn cob on top.
    Seal the pot and cook at high pressure for 1 minute. Allow the pressure to release naturally and completely.
  2. Prepare the Vegetables: While the quinoa cooks, finely chop the red onion, dice the tomatoes, chop the cilantro, and remove the seeds from the jalapeño before finely chopping it.
  3. Remove the Corn Kernels: Once the corn is cooked, carefully cut the kernels from the cob and set them aside.
  4. Prepare the Avocado: Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, peel away the skin, and dice the flesh. Prepare the avocado just before assembling the salad to help keep it fresh.
  5. Assemble the Salad: Fluff the cooked quinoa and transfer it to a large salad bowl. Add the corn kernels, chopped red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeño, avocado, and cooked black beans.
  6. Season and Serve: Add sea salt, pepper, and fresh lime juice to taste. Gently mix everything together until well combined, then serve.

Notes

  • Use a ripe but firm avocado so the diced pieces hold their shape when mixed into the salad.
  • If using corn on the cob, cook it together with the quinoa in the Instant Pot as directed; you can also use ½ cup of cooked corn kernels.
  • Remove the jalapeño seeds before chopping if you want to keep the preparation aligned with the source recipe.
  • Dice the avocado immediately before assembling the salad to help keep it fresh.
  • Season the finished salad with sea salt, pepper, and fresh lime juice according to taste.