Summer Fiesta Quinoa Salad (Use Your Southwest Summer Vegetables to Make This Delicious Salad)

This article is all about how to make a summer quinoa fiesta salad that is #1) healthy; #2) delicious; #3) easy; and #4) super inexpensive! Nice, right?

I was invited to a party.

YIKES! I know. I know! I KNOW! Most people would swoon with joy, right? NOT me. I totally STRESS.

Parties and get togethers happen to TERRIFY me. The conversation (and many people think I'm a bit strange, anyway, because of all the stuff we do around here), trying to look decent, the fact that my hair hasn't been cut in AGES, people, and I haven't bought any new clothes in like forever.....

Can you relate? (Hopefully not.)

And then. There's the FOOD! What do you bring? What can you bring to a summer indoor or outdoor get-together that's SAFE and easy?

I have the solution, my friends! It's my Summer Fiesta Quinoa Salad! With this salad, you will not have to make idle chatter. And you will get compliments! It will be SO worth it! :-) 

Here you go: And you're welcome! :-)

FTC Disclosure: There are affiliate links scattered throughout this article. If you click through and make any kind of purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! Full Disclosures Here.

Need a quick and easy summer salad to take to a party? Especially a party with a Mexican or Fiesta theme? This summertime Fiesta Quinoa Salad is 1) DELICIOUS; 2) Inexpensive; 3) EASY; 4) Super Colorful! When you bring this Fiesta Quinoa Salad to your next party (or just serve to your family), you’ll be the hit! Find out how to make this Quinoa salad with a Mexican theme in this recipe!

How to Make Summer Fiesta Quinoa Salad

This salad is healthy. It is inexpensive. It is delicious. 

Perfect, right? Here's the ingredients and how to make this amazing salad (if I say so myself):

Ingredients for Fiesta Quinoa Salad:

1 cup uncooked quinoa

2 cups cooked black beans (or one 15 ounce can of black beans, drained)

1/4 to 3/4 cups chopped Cilantro (adjust for your own taste)

1/4 cup red onion, sliced very thinly

1 pint of cherry tomatoes OR about 2 to 3 cups sliced small tomatoes, like Camanari's. Cut these in halves.

1/2 cups pepper Jack cheese (or a hard cheese of your choice---or none at all)

1 cup of frozen or canned & drained corn kernels. **If they are frozen, I didn't worry about thawing them out---

1 avocado, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (or larger chunks if you like that better)

2-3 tbsp. EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil), and I prefer organic

About 3-4 tbsp. lime juice, either bottled or fresh

1 tsp Smoked Paprika

1/4 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin

1-2 tsp minced garlic

Black pepper to taste

A few shakes of Smoked Salt (I love the kind from Starwest Botanicals----just search salt)

Ingredients! I love getting my culinary spices and herbs from Starwest Botanicals---WAY better than the grocery store.

Directions to Make Summer Fiesta Quinoa Salad

Step 1) Cook your quinoa according to directions.

Step 2) Put all the other ingredients into a large bowl while the quinoa is cooking up.

Step 3) Let the quinoa cool down completely, or at least to room temperature.

The main ingredients are all mixed up, and the quinoa is cooling. Once it's cooled down, just mix together well and store in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. You'll have the MOST delicious salad!

Step 4) Mix the quinoa in well

Step 5) Refrigerate overnight or at least for about three hours to allow the spices to mix well. 

Enjoy! Isn't that easy? And awesome? And I promise you will get compliments! 

Enjoy a big spoonful of that! Quinoa Fiesta Salad....Delish!

Final Thoughts on Summer Parties (Yikes) and Summer Fiesta Quinoa Salad (Yum!)

You guys. This salad is SO easy. Yes, it does take a few ingredients, but I bet you have most (if not all) of them on hand. PLUS, you can make adjustments VERY easily! For example:

• Add some chicken for a high protein main meal salad!
• Take out the quinoa for a grain free salad!
• Remove the cheese if you want to go Whole30 or Vegan----

It's just ALL good, with these special ingredients. Play around with it and have fun!

And if you are afraid to go to get-togethers like me? Well, this little salad will at least solve one of your problems! :-) 

Leave comments if you have ideas, questions, or have another great summer salad to share with us!

**You may also be interested in these related articles:

• How to Make Perfect and FAST Buttermilk Biscuits Every Time
• How to Make the BEST Homemade Fermented Ketchup
• How to Make Perfect Pickled Eggs (2 Recipes!)

Hugs, Health, and Self Reliance,

Heidi

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