Ingredients
Scale
Here’s what you’ll need to create your delicious Zesty Quinoa Taco Bowl:
- For the Quinoa:
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed (the fluffy, protein-packed base of our bowl)
- 2 cups vegetable broth or water (for cooking the quinoa with added flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (adds a warm, earthy taco essence)
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder (for a gentle kick of spice)
- Pinch of salt (to enhance all flavors)
- For the Zesty Lime Dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil, extra virgin (the smooth, rich base for the dressing)
- Juice of 2 large limes (about 1/4 cup) (provides the signature zesty tang)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (adds another layer of bright acidity)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (for a pungent, aromatic kick)
- 1/2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional) (to balance the acidity with a touch of sweetness)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for a burst of fresh, herby flavor)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- For the Bowl Toppings & Mix-ins:
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained (a fantastic source of plant-based protein and fiber)
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn, rinsed and drained (or 1.5 cups frozen, thawed) (adds sweetness and texture)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced (for a sweet crunch and vibrant color)
- 1 orange or yellow bell pepper, diced (more color and sweet crispness)
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced (provides a sharp, piquant bite)
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or quartered (bursts of juicy sweetness)
- 1 large avocado, diced or sliced (for creamy, healthy fats)
- Optional Garnishes: Shredded romaine lettuce, crumbled cotija cheese or feta, pickled jalapeños, extra cilantro, a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream, hot sauce.
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to assemble your Zesty Quinoa Taco Bowl:
- Cook the Quinoa:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa, vegetable broth (or water), ground cumin, chili powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy with a visible “tail” (germ).
- Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Then, fluff with a fork.
- Prepare the Zesty Lime Dressing:
- While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl or a jar with a lid, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, optional honey/maple syrup, and chopped cilantro.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Whisk or shake well to combine. Set aside.
- Prepare the Toppings & Mix-ins:
- If you haven’t already, rinse and drain the black beans and corn.
- Dice the bell peppers and red onion. Halve or quarter the cherry tomatoes. Dice or slice the avocado. Prepare any other optional garnishes.
- Combine Key Bowl Ingredients (Optional Pre-Mixing):
- In a large mixing bowl, you can combine the cooked and fluffed quinoa, rinsed black beans, rinsed corn, diced red bell pepper, diced orange/yellow bell pepper, and diced red onion.
- Pour about half to two-thirds of the Zesty Lime Dressing over this mixture and toss gently to coat everything evenly. This step helps the flavors meld beautifully. Alternatively, you can keep ingredients separate for individual assembly.
- Assemble the Zesty Quinoa Taco Bowls:
- Divide the quinoa mixture (or plain cooked quinoa if you didn’t pre-mix) among 4 serving bowls.
- Artfully arrange the halved cherry tomatoes and diced avocado on top of each bowl.
- If you didn’t pre-mix the dressing with the quinoa and veggies, drizzle the desired amount of the remaining Zesty Lime Dressing over each bowl.
- Add any desired optional garnishes: shredded lettuce, crumbled cheese, pickled jalapeños, extra cilantro, a dollop of Greek yogurt/sour cream, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
- Serve Immediately:
- Enjoy your vibrant and flavorful Zesty Quinoa Taco Bowl right away while the ingredients are fresh and the quinoa is warm (or serve chilled if preferred).
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 550
- Fat: 25g
- Fiber: 18g
- Protein: 20g