Quinoa Salad with Fresh Corn, Tomatoes, Avocado & Lime
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This summery quinoa salad with crisp corn, juicy tomatoes, spicy jalapeños, creamy avocado, and fresh lime is as healthy as it is filling.
This summery quinoa salad is a must-have for healthy summer eating. Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah)—a high-protein seed with a fluffy, slightly crunchy texture—is cooked with olive oil, onions, and vegetable broth for extra flavor. Once it’s cool, it’s tossed with crisp corn, juicy tomatoes, spicy jalapeños, creamy avocado, and a squeeze of fresh lime. You can make it ahead of time; just be sure to add the avocado at the last minute to keep it from discoloring.
Table of Contents
“This was my first time cooking quinoa. It is fabulously delicious. I couldn’t stop eating it. I will definitely make it again.”
What You’ll Need To Make Quinoa Salad With Corn, Tomatoes, Avocado And Lime
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Adds richness to the salad and is used to sauté the onions for a flavorful base.
- Yellow Onion: Provides a sweet and savory depth to the salad.
- Quinoa: A protein-packed grain that serves as the base of the salad.
- Vegetable Broth: Adds extra flavor to the quinoa while it cooks.
- Grape Or Cherry Tomatoes: Adds a fresh, juicy sweetness and vibrant color.
- Fresh Cut Cooked Corn: Offers a sweet crunch and bright flavor to the salad.
- Scallions: Adds a mild onion flavor and a bit of color.
- Jalapeño Pepper: Brings a subtle heat and a touch of spice.
- Fresh Cilantro: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note to the salad.
- Lime Juice: Provides a zesty tang that brightens the dish.
- Avocado: Adds creaminess and a rich texture, balancing the flavors and textures in the salad.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-By-Step Instructions
Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the quinoa and continue cooking, stirring constantly for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the broth and stir in ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 17 to 20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is cooked. You’ll know it is done when the little “tails” sprout from the grains. (If necessary add 1 to 2 tablespoons more water if the quinoa is not cooked by the time all the liquid is absorbed.)
Transfer the contents to a mixing bowl and put in the refrigerator to chill, about 1 hour.
When the quinoa is cool, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, tomatoes, corn, scallions, jalapeno, cilantro, remaining ½ teaspoon salt, and lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Right before serving, scatter the avocado chunks over top. The quinoa will cling to the avocado, so it’s best to scatter it over top rather than mix it in.
Right before serving, scatter the avocado chunks over top. The quinoa will cling to the avocado, so it’s best to scatter it over top rather than mix it in.
Enjoy!
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Quinoa Salad with Fresh Corn, Tomatoes, Avocado & Lime
This summery quinoa salad with crisp corn, juicy tomatoes, spicy jalapeños, creamy avocado, and fresh lime is as healthy as it is filling.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup chopped yellow onion, from one small onion
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed (or pre-washed)
- 1¼ to 1¾ cups vegetable broth (see note)
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 heaping cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1¼ cups fresh cut cooked corn, from 2 cobs
- 2 scallions, white and green parts, finely sliced
- 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, from 1 large lime
- 1 avocado, cut into bite-sized chunks
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the quinoa and continue cooking, stirring constantly for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the broth and stir in ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 17 to 20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is cooked. You'll know it is done when the little "tails" sprout from the grains. (If necessary add 1 to 2 tablespoons more water if the quinoa is not cooked by the time all the liquid is absorbed.) Transfer the contents to a mixing bowl and put in the refrigerator to chill, about 1 hour.
- When the quinoa is cool, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, tomatoes, corn, scallions, jalapeno, cilantro, remaining ½ teaspoon salt, and lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Right before serving, scatter the avocado chunks over top. The quinoa will cling to the avocado, so it's best to scatter it over top rather than mix it in. The salad will keep nicely in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
- Note: Different brands of quinoa call for different amounts of liquid. I’ve given a range, so refer to the package instructions for the correct amount.
- Note: Be very careful when chopping jalapeño peppers. The juices and seeds can irritate your skin so it's a good idea to wear gloves; at the very least, keep your hands away from your eyes and wash them well when done.
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (4 servings)
- Calories: 357
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Sugar: 6g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 9g
- Sodium: 614mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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I just wanted to say how yummy this quinoa salad is!!! I’ve added chicken or beef & served it over lettuce leaves and made a main course light dinner of it. Its great on a hot day. Thanks for sharing this.
I’d like to make this dish today…not the season for fresh corn. Suggestions on what I might sub for the corn? Love, love your site and recipes!!!
Hi Donna, So glad you’re enjoying the recipes! You could always use frozen corn or just increase the other add-ins.
Oops, of course it was a 5 star receipe!!
This recipe was so delicious! Everyone enjoyed it so much that there weren’t any leftovers. So much so, that my family requested I make it again… now. Once again, thoroughly enjoyed. Our new favorite!
I have never made quinoa before and decided I wanted to try a quinoa salad for a summer potluck. Not only is this recipe super easy and full of flavor, it was a huge crowd pleaser! I had to scrap the bowl after to get a little more as it was gobbled all up! Several people from the potluck now have this recipe to make on their own, too! Definitely doubling the batch for the next potluck I bring this to!
I made this qunioa recipe and I was amazed. I’ve never cooked with quinia before but my doctor recommended I eat more protein so I wanted to give quinioa a try. This recipe really was easy. I didn’t have the jalepeno or avacado (I simply forgot to add the avacado … oops) an it was still delicious! I think the jalepeno would have improved the dish a bit. I’ll be sure to include it next time. All around healthy side dish. I’m looking forward to trying some more recipes with lots of veggies.
I am not a very good cook and I just stumbled upon Jenn’s website yesterday as I was looking for some nice summer salads. This salad is awesome and very easy to make. I have now made the Black Bean & Corn Salad for tonight and every time I stir it I sneak a bite. Wow is all I can say. This is exactly the kind of cooking I have been looking for. I always tell everyone if I win the lottery the first thing I am going to do is hire a personal chef, but after finding Jenn’s website, I may have to rethink that. Thanks for keeping is simple and real.
Have you made this with bulgur by any chance? Would you recommend it?
I haven’t Renee but it should work fine.
I could NOT stop making this salad all summer long! It’s healthy and delicious! What else could you want! Thank you for this recipe Jennifer, it’s full of flavor, perfectly balanced!
The first time I made it, I misread the recipe and used fresh uncooked corn…..it was devine….a good mistake, it added a little crunch!
This is my go-to salad now. Delicious and colorful!