This vegan quinoa taco salad is versatile and jam packed with nutrients, making it the perfect meal prep recipe.
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I’m all about easy recipes that use healthy pantry staples.
This quinoa taco salad is no exception and fits in nicely with my other favorite meal prep recipes like Black Bean Quinoa Casserole, Vegetarian Black Bean Enchiladas and Chipotle Vegan Black Bean Soup.
This quinoa salad takes all of 20 minutes to make, most of which is hands free.
This isn’t just plain quinoa mixed with taco ingredients. We’ll cook the quinoa with fire roasted tomatoes, vegetable broth, and taco seasonings for an extra level of flavor.
While the quinoa cooks the rest of the ingredients are compiled and prepped, so that as soon as the quinoa comes off the stove you can chow down.
How to make
Add the rinsed quinoa, fire roasted tomatoes (including the juices!), seasonings and vegetable broth to a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, until the quinoa fully absorbs the liquid.
Once you have your quinoa tomato mix simmering away, prep the remaining ingredients:
- Fresh or frozen sweet corn
- Black beans or kidney beans
- Pumpkin seeds
- Red bell pepper
- Red onion
- Cilantro
When all of your ingredients are prepped in their respective places and the quinoa is nice and fluffy, combine everything!
Serving ideas
This recipe is perfect for meal prep, but if you’re like me you may get tired of having the same meal for lunch every day. Good news: this salad is very versatile.
Here’s how to customize this recipe:
- Make nachos by layering the quinoa taco salad on tortilla chips or sweet potato chips
- Toss with spinach or romaine lettuce and drizzle with a chipotle dressing
- Roll up in a burrito or taco shells with brown rice, sour cream, and some salsa
- Not feeling super hungry? Cut the serving size in half for a light snack.
- Serve as a side at a pot luck or pair with tortilla chips for an easy appetizer.
No matter how you choose to enjoy this salad, rest easy knowing that you have lunch prepared for the entire week.
I pack my meal prep in these glass containers and bring this freezable lunch box to work to keep my food cool until lunch-time.
Looking for more meal prep recipes? Check out my Instant Pot taco salad or a few of my favorite meals:
- Crunchy Mediterranean Couscous Salad
- Instant Pot Red Lentil Curry with Sweet Potatoes
- Tofu and Veggie Spring Roll Bowls
- Instant Pot Black Beans and Brown Rice
- Vegetarian Pasta Salad In A Jar
Vegan Quinoa Taco Salad
Ingredients
Quinoa Taco Salad
- 2 cup dry quinoa, rinsed
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can (15 oz) fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 cup fresh or frozen sweet corn, thawed
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 medium red onion, diced
- 1 can (15 oz) bean of choice, such as black beans or kidney beans
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro, plus more for topping
- juice of one lime
Taco Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast (optional)
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan, combine quinoa, vegetable broth, seasonings, and fire roasted tomatoes. Bring quinoa to a boil, then cover and lower to a simmer for ~15 minutes or until light and fluffy.
- While quinoa is cooking, prep the remaining ingredients. Once quinoa is cooked, stir in the remaining ingredients.
- Enjoy cold. Top with additional cilantro and lime juice.
Notes
- If you prefer to use fresh tomatoes, just add an extra half cup of vegetable broth to the quinoa before heating. Add the fresh tomatoes when you add the other add-ins.
- I pack my meal prep in these glass containers and bring this freezable lunch box to work to keep my food cool until lunch-time.
- Check out my Instant Pot version of quinoa taco salad.
Denise
Made this tonight and ate it warm over spinach, and a quarter of an avocado. Delicious warm, can’t
wait to eat it cold tomorrow.