Mango Quinoa Salad is a tart, sweet, and tangy dish, filled with color and texture. The mangoes add a sweet note to this salad and it’s filling enough to be a main dish as well. I’ve eaten this salad for lunch many times.
I tasted Mango Quinoa Salad for the first time a few years ago, while visiting a friend in Colorado. Her sister made it for a party and it was gone within minutes. Naturally, I asked if she would share the recipe with me. With only a few small adjustments for my family, this is her recipe. Thanks, Audry!
For best results, you’ll want to make this salad the day before serving it. The salad mellows and creates a wonderful combination of flavors and textures after resting a while.
It is tasty on the day you make it, with a very tangy and tart flavor; however, after waiting an extra day, the flavors and textures all come together and the nutty quinoa absorbs all of the different flavors.
Mango Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- Salad Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked quinoa
- 1 14 ounce can black beans, rinsed well and drained
- 1 large mango peeled and diced small
- 1 red bell pepper diced small
- 8 green onions greens only, about ½ cup very thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro adjust to taste
- Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 6 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa according to package direction and then cool to room temperature. Combine the quinoa, beans, mango, pepper, onions and cilantro in a large bowl and toss to combine. In a small jar, combine the dressing ingredients and shake to combine. Pour over salad and toss to coat thoroughly. For best results, let rest 24-36 hours before serving. Enjoy!
{originally published 9-13-12 – recipe notes and photos updated 3-30-15}
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Pam says
I am always looking for grain salads! This is perfect!
Angie's Recipes says
Love quinoa salad! This looks so colourful and appetizing.
Tricia @ saving room for dessert says
Absolutely perfect. I love Quinoa salads warm, cold, fresh or leftover. You are so right – it absorbs the flavors and always tastes fresh. The colors are also great. Good one Mary!
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
I adore food like this – so perfect – and quinoa is SO healthy!!
mary x
Pam says
Great combination of flavors & textures in this dish.
Sue/the view from great island says
I tasted this kind of salad for the first time this summer, too. My sister turned me on to it. The flavors and colors in yours sound great, and I'm a new convert to quinoa.
Sue/the view from great island says
I discovered this kind of salad this summer through my sister. Yours looks beautiful, and I love the black bean/lime thing. I'm a new convert to quinoa!
Kathy says
I just love quinoa in salad…this one looks particularly delicious! Love the mango, black bean and lime…sounds so good!!
Jean | Delightful Repast says
Mary – and Audry – that's a great looking quinoa salad. We love a good quinoa salad, and it's good to find another recipe to change things up a bit.
Words Of Deliciousness says
This really a great looking salad. Great flavors.
Top Cuisine avec Lavi says
This salad looks delicious! Fresh and healthy
Taylor says
I've made something really similar to this….so fresh and tasty!! Looks delicious 🙂
Marina@Picnic at Marina says
i have yet to discover the taste of quinoa… this is perfect to start.
Diana @ Eating Made Easy says
This looks delish! I love additions of black beans – more protein!
Anonymous says
I enjoy quinoa so much. It makes me sad to learn that we are eating so much quinoa in North America that the cost has been driven up to a degree that people in Bolivia who depend on quinoa are not able to afford it. Another strange deal in the realm of food production, distribution and use patterns. I'm not sure what how this can be fixed – hopefully more quinoa will be grown and hopefully closer to home!
Anonymous says
I'm new to the many tasty wonders of quinoa. And along the way I've actually learned how to correctly pronounce the word, too! : ) Would you consider served with a light fish or shrimp?
Thanks for the recipe. I look forward to making and tasting!
Mary says
That would be delicious! I've served this with grilled chicken, with salmon, and with burgers for a barbecue side.
sukeshini says
I waited for lovely quinoa recipe and I found it now. It looks very colourful. I will try. Thanks for sharing this.
Margaret Winters says
This looks wonderful. Do you think that adding examples would WORK?
Thanks
Mary Younkin says
I’m guessing that “examples” was a typo, Margaret. Let me know if I can help with anything.
Emily says
I love this recipe!!! I make it every two weeks as part of my meal prep and for my work lunches and it keeps me satisfied (and I’m normally a hungry monster!)
I also tried the recipe with kiwis instead of mango and it worked really well 🙂
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy that you like it, Emily!!