This is a zesty and healthy salad with tons of flavors and textures. The flavor combination of sweet mangoes, soft black beans, nutty quinoa with fresh and crunchy veggies with a spicy chipotle cream is heavenly, satisfying all your cravings for a flavor packed and healthy meal!
As the temperature increases in summer, this salad is an ideal choice as it doesn’t involve much active cooking. Fresh and crunchy produce along with beans and a flavor packed dressing makes all the difference. This salad will eliminate all take-out ideas in your mind. It is delicious and nutritious at the same time. The evolving flavor explosions in your mouth along with interesting textures makes this a comforting Mexican flavored meal.
I love this bowl because of its high nutritional content and the ease of preparing it. Quinoa and black beans balance the protein part, while mangoes add to the sweetness which is perfectly balanced with a spicy chipotle cream. Quinoa is a great addition to many salads and it can replace any grains. It is great to use in Mexican recipes like Quinoa Burrito Bowl and Cilantro Lime Quinoa as well as in our traditional recipe Ginger Garlic Quinoa or Protein Quinoa Pulao replacing the grain.
The following ingredients are needed to make this amazing salad:
Quinoa - Adds to the nutty flavor and protein profile of this salad. Leftover quinoa cal also be used. Canned black beans are handy to make a quick salad. If time permits, soak and cook the beans to use in this recipe.
Black beans - one of the protein and fiber rich components of this salad.
Avocado - This healthy fruit makes a perfect addition to salad with creamy and buttery flavor and texture.
Tomatoes - Any type of tomatoes can be used.
Mangoes - Sweet ripe mangoes work best. Any variety of mango can be used.
Onions - Adds to the aromatic flavor.
Cucumber - cool cucumbers add to the freshness of the salad
Queso fresco - soft cheese with a slight tangy flavor.
Cilantro - Boosts the salad with aroma and flavor.
Red cabbage - Adds to the vibrant color and nutrition profile, and texture.
Bell pepper - green bell peppers are used in this recipe and add a crisp texture to the salad.
Green Onions - Adds to the flavor.
Tortilla strips - This is optional, but I highly recommend this. A little crunch here and there makes every bite phenomenal in textures and satisfying every bit of craving.
Let’s talk about chipotle cream.
This is the star of this salad. It is easy to prepare with easy ingredients and could be used in a wide variety of recipes. This is one of our goto salad dressings as it is packed with yummy flavors. To make this, add the following in your blender and blend together, that’s all. Very simple! I would suggest doubling the dressing as it is addictive.
Vegan Mayo - This recipe uses vegan mayonnaise. This is the base for the creamy dressing.
Sour cream - Adds to the creamy texture and a little tang
Lime juice - the acidic lemon juice enhances the flavor profile.
Salt - gives flavor.
Cilantro - Boosts the aroma and flavor.
Brown sugar - Adds to the sweetness and balances the heat.Chipotle peppers - These smoky and spicy peppers define the flavor of this cream. Canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce is used in this recipe. This can be adjusted according to heat preference.
Servings
This is a hearty salad and easily serves six people. This can serve more when served as a side for a crowd. This makes a colorful and vibrant salad to plan for parties.
Storage
The cream can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. The rest of the components can be stored for a couple of days and make an ideal and healthy lunch for the next day.
We love Mexican cuisine as much as our traditional food and there are a lot of similarities in the spices and the ingredients used. Whenever I prepare any of these, it is a choice meal for everyone. Whether I make this salad or Mexican Beans and rice for a quick meal, or just serve chips with Mango Habanero Salsa or Baked Black Bean Dip or Tropical Salsa, the happier the people at the table. Try these and I am sure your family would love these too.
For this month's edition of Shhhhh Secretly Cooking challenge, Anu suggested mangoes as the theme. This quinoa, black bean, mango salad with chipotle cream is my share using the two secret ingredients, mayo and lime juice, given by Renu. In turn, she made this delicious Strawberry Mango Mint smoothie with the secret ingredients cardamom and chia seeds that I gave her.
Ingredients
Quinoa - ⅔ cup
Black beans - 1 14-oz. Can, drained and rinsed
Mangoes - 1 and ½ cups, diced
Bell peppers - 1 cup, diced
Cucumbers - 1 cup, diced
Avocado - 1 cup, diced
Tomatoes - 1 cup, diced
Onion - ½ cup, diced
Queso fresco - ½ cup
Cilantro - ¼ cup, finely chopped
Green onions - ¼ cup, finely sliced
Red cabbage - 1 cup, finely sliced
For Chipotle Cream
Vegan mayo - 1 cup
Sour cream - ½ cup
Brown sugar - 2 tbsp
Chipotle peppers - 2 to 3, and adobo sauce - 2 to 3 tbsp
Lime juice - 2 tbsp
Cilantro - 3 tbsp
Method
Cook the quinoa according to the package directions. Set aside to cool. Leftover quinoa can also be used.
Add the ingredients listed under "chipotle cream", and blend in your food processor. Transfer to a serving container.
Add all the ingredients to a bowl, and drizzle the chipotle cream. Alternatively serve with a side of cream to add to the salad as needed. Serve immediately.
Kalyani says
fabulous Salad there, Radha. I love everything that's gone in there, esp the tortilla strips - what a great idea! and kudos on a great new layout of the blog too!
magicalingrdnts says
Thank you! Yes, the crunch factor from the tortilla strips makes the salad bowl extra yummy!
Mayuri Patel says
Salad bowls are my go to lunch options especially during the summer. Love this salad of yours with so many different textures and flavours. I definitely will be adding tortilla strips for the crunch.
magicalingrdnts says
Glad to hear you love this salad idea. Yes, the tortilla adds to the great crunch. Thanks, Mayuri.
Renu says
Healthy and filling salad with the perfect balance of proteins and carbs. Love the dressing of chipotle sauce
magicalingrdnts says
We love this delicious flavor combination. Thanks, Renu!
Priya Iyer says
I totally love the look and sound of this salad, Radha! Such a beautiful play of flavours and textures. Can imagine the taste of the chipotle cream and the crunch of the tortilla strips.
magicalingrdnts says
Yes, it is a flavor packed one. Thanks, Priya!
Seema Sriram says
This is the prettiest mango salad ever. The platter is so inviting with the tortilla strips, mango and the dressing ooo yumm.
magicalingrdnts says
I am glad to hear you love the flavor profiles, Seema. Pease do try and let me know. Thanks for visiting.
Anu says
Wow, look at the number of ingredients that are in this salad. I would love this refreshing salad which is bursting with flavors.
magicalingrdnts says
Yes, it makes a great meal with its amazing flavors and I am glad you liked the profile of this salad. Thanks Anu.
Archana says
Love the flavours here. Perfect for the summer and an amazing meal.
magicalingrdnts says
Yes, this is a great one to have during summer when mangoes are in season. Thanks, Archana.
Jayashree.T.Rao says
The salad will make a good dinner option for us. Loved the wide range of flavours you have added to it. Nice share.
magicalingrdnts says
Thanks, Jayashree!
Vasusvegkitchen says
Healthy and filling salad Radha, I just love all your recipes. Never tasted chipotle sauce nd is very new to me, will definitely try this salad.
Sujata Roy says
Totally love this healthy delicious and nutritious salad bowl. Also loved the dressing you used. Can't wait to try.
magicalingrdnts says
Please do try and let me know how you loved it. Thanks, Sujata.
Sasmita Sahoo says
Mango Black Bean Quinoa Chipotle Salad looks so refreshing and bursting with flavors. The prettiest mango salad ever, I must say.
magicalingrdnts says
You must try this delicious salad, Sasmita. Thanks for visiting.
Narmadha says
what a colorful and tempting salad with a lot of my favorite things. so, refreshing and fulfilling meal.
magicalingrdnts says
It is a great meal to have during summer as it is totally refreshing., Thanks Narmada.
Priya Vj says
Refreshing, crunchy and healthy salad . The riot of colors from the fresh ingredients is certainly eye catching and appetizing
magicalingrdnts says
This salad is filled with tons of flavors and textures. Thanks Priya!
Preethicuisine says
Mango Black Bean Quinoa Chipotle Salad Is just bursting with flavors . Love this delightful salad.
magicalingrdnts says
Thanks Preethi.
Nina says
Looks great..! 💕
I love it..😍
magicalingrdnts says
Thanks and I am glad you loved it. Thanks Nina for stopping by.
Rafeeda - The Big Sweet Tooth says
I love the look of that salad and I know that I would happily dig in to that plate... Good to see an update on the blog... Looks amazing!
magicalingrdnts says
Thanks Rafeeda!