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Quinoa Taco Salad

Serves 5

  • Prep15 mins
  • Cook30 mins
  • Total45 mins
  • Servings5
  • Ingredients18

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Your #mealprepgoals just got easier to nail. Quinoa, black beans, and tempeh provide a triple threat of plant-based protein in this large taco-style salad that holds up remarkably well. The quinoa will absorb the vibrant, flavourful dressing and still be perfectly tender by the time your next meal rolls around. You can toss on some cubed avocado, queso fresco, and/or broken baked tortilla chips for crunch just before serving.

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Raise a toast

To add a deeper flavour to quinoa, consider toasting the grains before boiling in water. Simply heat a couple teaspoons of oil in heavy-bottomed saucepan, add dry quinoa, and heat, stirring often, until the grains are a couple shades darker and emit a nutty, toasted smell; then add your water.

Plant-based redo

For a plant-based option, you can top salad with slices of grilled tempeh or navy beans instead of chicken. To infuse dressing with savoury, cheesy flavour, minus the dairy, you could use nutritional yeast.

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Quinoa Taco Salad

  • Prep15 mins
  • Cook30 mins
  • Total45 mins
  • Servings5
  • Ingredients18

Ingredients

  • 1 lb (450 g) sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1 inch (2.5 cm) cubes
  • 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp (30 mL + 10 mL) grapeseed oil or sunflower oil, divided
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) dried oregano
  • 3/4 tsp (4 mL) salt, divided
  • 1 cup (250 mL) quinoa, rinsed
  • 1 - 7 oz (200 g) pkg plain tempeh, crumbled
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) chili powder
  • 1 cup (250 mL) packed cilantro
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and roughly chopped
  • 1/3 cup (80 mL) sour cream or nondairy sour cream
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) honey or agave syrup
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) cumin powder
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 cups (500 mL) cooked or canned (drained and rinsed) black beans
  • 1 cup (250 mL) diced red onion
  • 2 cups (500 mL) halved grape tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup (60 mL) unsalted pumpkin seeds

Nutrition

Per serving:

  • calories488
  • protein22g
  • fat17g
    • saturated fat3g
    • trans fat0g
  • carbohydrates66g
    • sugars8g
    • fibre12g
  • sodium374mg

Directions

01

Heat oven to 400 F (200 C). Toss sweet potato with 1 Tbsp (15 mL) oil, oregano, and 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt. Spread out on rimmed baking sheet and roast until tender, about 20 minutes.

02

In medium saucepan, place quinoa, 1 3/4 cups (435 mL) water, and 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, covered, until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender, about 12 minutes. Set aside, covered, for 5 minutes and then fluff quinoa with fork.

03

In skillet over medium, heat 2 tsp (10 mL) oil. Add tempeh and chili powder; heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, until browned.

04

In blender, combine cilantro, jalapeño, sour cream, lime juice, 1 Tbsp (15 mL) oil, agave or honey, cumin, garlic, and 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt. Process until smooth, scraping down sides as needed.

05

In large bowl, toss together sweet potato, quinoa, tempeh, black beans, red onion, tomatoes, and pumpkin seeds. Add cilantro dressing and toss together.

Make ahead:

All contents of this salad can be chilled together in airtight container for up 3 days. Any optional toppings, such as avocado, should be added just before serving.

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Breakfast: Sweet Potato and Spinach Egg Bites

Egg bites are a delicious and convenient way to get some protein in the mornings. These ones get an extra nutrition boost with antioxidant-rich sweet potato and spinach. Using grated sweet potato ensures all of the ingredients cook evenly during the baking time. Once you’ve made these—and tasted their goodness—they’ll become an easy addition to your breakfast repertoire. Reheat and repeat While these egg bites go together in a minute, you can also make them ahead, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and reheat when you’re ready to eat them. Five minutes in the air fryer on the reheat setting at 325 F (160 C) will do it nicely. Or place them on a baking sheet and heat under the broiler for about 2 minutes.