Mango Quinoa Salad Recipe

If you are looking for a great salad that won't break the bank, then we have just what you need to spice up your recipe rotation. As you can tell by the name, the main star in this dish is quinoa, and it's great because it has so many health benefits. Healthline shares that quinoa has way more fiber than most grains and is also gluten-free, which is great for anyone with an allergy. In addition, it contains a ton of protein, and it's also high in essential amino acids. The other main ingredient in this dish, mango, is also filled with nutrients and amino acids (per Healthline), making it a no-brainer to add into your diet.

Recipe developer Susan Olayinka of The Flexible Fridge came up with this refreshing salad that hits the spot, especially in the summer months. She shares that she loves the diversity in the dish. "I love how this recipe is a bit of everything. It has veggies, carbohydrates, and protein in it, and it reminds me of summer," she raves. "It's a way to get fruits and vegetables into your diet in a fun way, and it is also family-friendly." 

Keep reading to find out how to throw together this delicious salad that is perfect for any occasion.

Make a grocery list of everything you need to throw together this refreshing salad to kick things off. For starters, you will need some quinoa and chicken stock, which will be used instead of water to cook the quinoa. Don't forget to pick up some mangoes as well. You also need to grab a few other items from the produce section, including avocados, red onions, and cherry tomatoes.

The last two items on your list are pretty standard in a lot of households, and you may already have them in your pantry. Just grab some salt and black beans. Voila, that's all you need!

The first step in the actual cooking process is to make the quinoa. For this recipe, this is the only item that you will actually need to cook, making it a relatively easy step. Since each different brand of quinoa has slightly different instructions, it's smart to follow those for the best cooking results. Instead of water, add chicken broth to cook with the quinoa. "The depth of flavor in the chicken broth is why I chose it," Olayinka says. "It's better than using water and also better than using just salt ... chicken broth has such a rich flavor that pairs nicely with the quinoa." 

On to the chopping part! There are quite a few items that you will need to cut up for this recipe, so take out a cutting board and your favorite knife. Start with the mangoes, chopping them into half-inch pieces. Then, put them in a bowl and set them aside for the time being. Next, cut the avocados into half-inch pieces, and then set them aside.

The last two items that you need to chop up are the red onions and the cherry tomatoes. Like the first two items, they should be cut into half-inch pieces. Set them aside in a bowl because you will need them in just a few minutes.

By now, the quinoa should be done cooking. Take it off of the stove and then dump it into a large serving bowl. Next, dump in the black beans. Olayinka says she rinsed hers prior to using. After that, you will want to add the chopped cherry tomatoes, chopped red onions, and the chopped mango. Mix everything together with a spoon, and then sprinkle some salt on top. Now, you should have a beautiful salad that's filled with plenty of colors and delicious ingredients. 

This salad is best when it's served immediately.

There are plenty of ways to serve this mango quinoa salad, and it could definitely be sustainable as a main course by itself. In addition, you could serve it as a side to accompany pretty much any main dish. "This will be nice paired with some grilled meat or can actually be paired with some tofu or vegan meat as well," Olayinka says.

As far as leftovers go? "I would say that this is definitely best eaten fresh," Olayinka says, "as there are so many fresh ingredients like the mango and avocado that will be a bit soggy the next day!"