Skip to main content

Black Bean and Tomato Quinoa

High in protein, low in price, fast to make, and gluten-free, quinoa is the ultimate grain. With this much-beloved recipe, watch lime juice, black beans, and tomatoes transform a “health food” into a must-make side dish perfect for barbecues or school lunches. The flavors get more concentrated over time, so make it a day ahead for maximum impact. Use olive oil instead of butter to make it vegan.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

2 teaspoons grated lime zest
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup quinoa
1 (14- to 15-ounce) can black beans,
rinsed and drained
2 medium tomatoes, diced
4 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Whisk together the lime zest and juice, butter, oil, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl.

    Step 2

    Wash the quinoa in 3 changes of cold water in a bowl, draining in a sieve each time.

    Step 3

    Cook the quinoa in a medium pot of boiling salted water (1 tablespoon salt for 2 quarts water), uncovered, until almost tender, about 10 minutes. Drain in a sieve, then set the sieve in the same pot with 1 inch of simmering water (the water should not touch the bottom of the sieve).

    Step 4

    Cover the quinoa with a folded kitchen towel, then cover the sieve with a lid (don’t worry if the lid doesn’t fit tightly) and steam over medium heat until tender, fluffy, and dry, about 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and remove the lid. Let stand, still covered with the towel, 5 minutes.

    Step 5

    Add the quinoa to the dressing and toss until the dressing is absorbed, then stir in remaining ingredients and salt and pepper to taste.

The Epicurious Cookbook
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
Baking meatballs and green beans on two sides of the same sheet pan streamlines the cooking process for this saucy, savory dinner.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
A garlicky pistachio topping takes this sunny summer pasta from good to great.