This tasty and filling Mexican quinoa bowl is seasoned with cumin and chili powder and a simple vinaigrette that brings out quinoa’s nutty flavors. It's a perfect dish to make in a big batch, as it keeps well in the refrigerator and goes with lots of meals.
We like it topped with my pickled red onions, avocado slices and mild white Mexican cheese.
Quinoa is so versatile. Check out some of my other recipes on A Meal In Mind: Mediterranean quinoa salad, coconut milk quinoa and quinoa-chia pudding with fruit. I’ve even used quinoa instead of oats in my Flourless Pancakes.
And of course, you know it’s pronounced “keen-wah” right?
I was inspired to make this variation on my Mediterranean quinoa bowl after reading an excellent Quinoa Bowl Recipe post by my friends at The Food Travelist. I think my Mediterranean flavors are pretty good but I think the flavor relies a lot on the olives - so I had to play with the tart flavors a bit here.
Is quinoa healthy?
Quinoa is a seed rather than a grain, so it is included in grain-free and gluten-free diets. It’s relatively high in protein and fiber, so its glycemic index is low enough for me to enjoy.
Be careful not to overdo it on any one food, however. This article suggests that though quinoa is considered a superfood, it contains gut-irritating compounds that are a problem if eaten too frequently.
What I like best about this recipe is that you can vary it quite a lot by changing the vegetables you stir in. For example, here we used red bell peppers, cucumbers and chickpeas as toppers, having already stirred in broccoli and peas. I sprinkle cumin onto the chickpeas to bring them along into the flavor.
Do you need to rinse or soak quinoa?
There is no need to soak quinoa. In fact, soaking quinoa can result in it tasting bitter. This is because quinoa has saponins on the outside of the seed. The term saponins may remind you of saponification, which is the process of turning fats and oils into soap.
You do need to rinse the quinoa, however, to remove the saponins. I rinse mine in a wire mesh strainer and can see that the liquid is cloudy, especially from the first rinse. I rinse the quinoa twice. That way, in cooking the quinoa you can use water, coconut milk or broth. The cooking liquid is completely absorbed.
Costco sells quinoa on which the package says there is no need to rinse it. I’ve tried it with and without rinsing, and I believe it tastes better with a rinse.
What should I serve this quinoa bowl with?
Though I'm showing a number of ways we made this bowl, the one I feature in the recipe was inspired by our fresh garden corn and cherry tomatoes, a ripe avocado and a grilled bell pepper. We stirred in some pinto beans for protein.
We've enjoyed these quinoa bowls alongside my parchment-baked salmon tacos and air-fryer fish. It's a tasty way to use small bits of vegetables, like peas or corn, that you don't have enough of for a whole side dish. You can vary the seasonings or the amount of lemon juice/vinegar to your taste.
With different vegetables or proteins you can vary this bowl quite a bit! And even without toppings, as you see below, it's just delicious.
Where can I buy quinoa?
I mentioned Costco already, though I typically buy mine in bulk at Natural Grocers. I look for organic, fair-traded quinoa; Costco's is labeled organic, but not fair-traded, though it states the origin as Bolivia so I hope small farmers are being paid fairly. I wanted to find out whether it was as good un-rinsed, and of course now have lots of it to use up.
Steps in making this recipe
Once you have cooked the quinoa you:
- season it with chili powder, cumin and coriander to give it a Mexican flavor.
- add vinegar and lemon or lime juice for flavor and to enhance the
- salt to taste, and I suggest salting it a bit more than you would otherwise to balance the vegetables.
- Use the amount of olive oil is to suit your taste - you could add more or reduce it.
- Stir in your roasted corn and bell peppers, beans or peas, and tomatoes
- Serve your toppers in small bowls on the side.
Please pin for later!
I hope you will enjoy this bowl as much as we do.
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #amealinmind on Instagram. I’d love to see what you come up with. Thank you so much!!
Beth
Other recipes you may enjoy
Mediterranean Quinoa Vegetable Salad
Baba Ghanoush Dip and Salad Dressing
Slow Cooker Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup – Gluten Free
Parchment-Roasted Salmon Tacos with Yogurt-Lime Crema
Shop Mexican Quinoa Bowl
Kirkland Signature Organic ...Shop on Amazon
365 by Whole Foods Market, ...Shop on Amazon
Happy Andes Red Quinoa, Non...Shop on Amazon 
365 by Whole Foods Market, ...Shop on Amazon
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Mexican Quinoa Bowl with Corn and Peppers
Ingredients
For the quinoa
- 1 cup quinoa used red or red and white quinoa
- 2 cups water or broth
- 1 heaping teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon coriander
- 1½ teaspoons pink sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper optional
- 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice or white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
For the bowl
- 3 cups cooked and seasoned quinoa as prepared above
- 1 ear of roasted corn cut from the cob
- 1 bell pepper grilled and diced
- ½ cup pinto beans or peas
- ⅓ cup pickled red onion
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 ripe avocado sliced or cubed
- ⅓ cup cilantro leaves
- ½ cup white Mexican cheese or feta
- 2 tablespoons oregano minced - fresh if available
Instructions
- If there are no directions on your package of quinoa, here's what I do. Place rinsed quinoa and water into a saucepan.
- Cover and heat to a rolling boil, then turn down to a simmer.
- Check after 10 minutes to see if the water has been absorbed. If not, simmer for another 3-5 minutes depending on how wet the quinoa is. You can take it off the heat when no visible liquid remains. I use a pan with a glass lid so that I can even tilt the pan without removing the cover, to see if any liquid shows up from underneath.
- Remove from heat and let sit for five minutes to absorb any remaining liquid. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool.
- While quinoa is cooling, cut and prepare your corn, bell pepper, other vegetables and dressing ingredients. You can increase the quantity of any ingredient to feature it!
- Place the cooled quinoa in a bowl and stir in the dressing and main ingredients. Let it sit for a couple of minutes so it absorbs the seasonings, then taste and correct the salt. I like the black pepper even though the recipe also calls for chili powder, but I’ve made that optional.
- Place the pickled onions, avocado and extra cheese in separate bowls. Garnish with cilantro and oregano if your family enjoys them.
Notes
Please pin for later!
Beth Shields
I haven't been a big quinoa fan, but this recipe could change me. I love the whole southwestern vibe in the bowl and it just sounds and looks delicious. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Beth
Hey Beth, it took me a while to warm up to quinoa too but I find that tart flavors like vinegar or lemon bring out its nuttiness.
Nisha
This looks so tempting and delicious , am definitely trying it soon !
Beth
Thanks, Nisha. We make this bowl quite often now, I hope you will like it!
Stine Mari
This looks like a healthy and delicious meal! I love quinoa bowls and I think they work really well with Mexican flavors.
Beth
We love quinoa bowls too and I'm glad to hear it looks good to you.
Jere Cassidy
I really like quinoa and always glad to have some good recipes to use it in. I love the Mexican flavors added to this dish.
Beth
I'm so with you, Jere, I love expanding my stash of quinoa recipes.
Marta
I topped my quinoa bowl with grilled chicken and it was a perfect light entree for our dinner tonight.
Beth
Mmm, Marta, that sounds like the perfect addition to the bowl!
Chef Dennis
Wow! My wife is usualy not a fan of anything Mexican but she ate every bite of these delicious bowls! Thanks for a great recipe!
Beth
Thank you, Dennis, I think the spices are mild enough that they don't overwhelm the dish.
Julie
What a great bowl of goodness! The flavors in this quinoa bowl are perfect and this is such a great lunch or dinner. Will make again.
Beth
Thanks, Julie. So far it's our favorite savory quinoa recipe, and of course it can be varied a lot.
Emily
Even though I love quinoa, I don't make it enough! I've been trying to incorporate it more into my diet lately and loved this Mexican quinoa bowl!
Beth
Hi Emily, I think I appreciate quinoa more in savory recipes than sweet, and that's been the key for me to enjoy more of it. This recipe is a perefct example.
Alexis
I made this for dinner this week and it was a huge hit with everyone, so yummy! Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Beth
Hi Alexis, this is a fun one to share - and so easy to customize!
Sondra Barker
This looks so fresh and healthy! Cant wait to try your recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Beth
Thanks, Sondra, it's just about our favorite way to eat quinoa.
Gail Montero
Love how you've made this quinoa bowl so tasty with all that classic Mexican flavors! Looks so filling, too!
Beth
Thanks, Gail. It's the perfect bowl to keep in the fridge for a quick lunch, too.
Kushigalu
Love Mexican flavors alot but never tried it with Quinoa. Looks so delicious and healthy . I will be making this soon.
Beth
Quinoa is so versatile but this is a great one to try.