One of our favorite throw-together meals is quinoa and black bean bowls! They are super easy and customizable, plus they have a complete protein while still being vegetarian and vegan. Even if you do consume meat or other animal products, this meal is delicious and perfect for meatless Mondays. Once you have the base of quinoa and black beans, you can top with whatever you like! I love topping mine with salsa, homemade guacamole (recipe here), shredded cheese, lettuce or other greens, and tomatoes.
I think the best part of these quinoa and black bean bowls is how versatile they are. You really can top them with whatever you like! And you don’t even need to use quinoa. If you wanted, you could use grains like rice, barley, or whatever you prefer. While quinoa is considered a “psuedo-cereal”, it is a complete protein on it’s own. Most grains, however, are not complete proteins. By adding beans, you create a complete protein. You can also use any type of bean! Want to use chickpeas instead? Go ahead. How about butter beans? Sure! Whatever you like in your bowl is perfect.That means this is also a good meal to serve for multiple people. Each person can customize their bowl with their favorite add-ons.
Cooking grains can be tricky. While the package typically has instructions, we found this page that has a helpful infographic for all types of grains! For quinoa, it suggests 1 1/4 cup of water per cup of dry quinoa. It recommends pre-soaking the quinoa for 15 minutes, and cooking for 25.
Quinoa and Black Bean Bowls
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup quinoa uncooked
- 1 cup black beans drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup salsa
- toppings cheese, lettuce, additional salsa, tomatoes, sour cream, etc. (for vegan use vegan cheese and sour cream alternatives.)
Method
- Cook quinoa according to package directions. When quinoa is cooked, add black beans and salsa to pot and stir to combine.
- Let cook until mixture is heated through. Spoon quinoa mixture into bowls. Top with desired toppings and serve. Enjoy!
Private Notes
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Nutrition info is an estimate and may contain errors.
Klara Knezevic has over a decade of experience in the nutrition field and currently serves as the CEO and co-owner of Rebecca Bitzer and Associates. Klara is passionate about sharing practical nutrition tips to help you feel confident in the choices that you make. Coauthor of Cooking with Food Sensitivities Survival Guide and Nourished: 10 Ingredients to Happy, Healthy Eating.
