Description
This vibrant and nutritious Mexican Quinoa is a delightful one-pot dish packed with protein-rich quinoa, black beans, corn, and a medley of spices. Perfectly seasoned with chili powder, cumin, and paprika, it’s a simple vegan meal that’s both flavorful and satisfying. Ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prepping, this recipe combines wholesome ingredients with zesty lime juice and fresh cilantro for a fresh finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- Juice of 1 lime
Pantry & Spices
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, diced onion, and minced jalapeño. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture becomes fragrant and the vegetables soften.
- Add Ingredients: Stir in the rinsed quinoa, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with their juices, vegetable broth, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer. Cover the skillet or pot and cook on low heat for 20 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and has absorbed the liquid completely.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro. Fluff the quinoa gently with a fork, and serve the dish warm.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, retain some jalapeño seeds or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Top with avocado slices, diced fresh tomatoes, or shredded cheese for added flavor and texture.
- This dish works perfectly as either a main course or a side dish.
- It stores well in the refrigerator for meal prep and can be reheated easily.
