I am slowly coming to the realization that, despite my affinity for cute cafes and the well-placed statement necklace, I am simply not a lady who lunches. I speak far too loudly in public, never remember to silence my phone, and would choose a giant plate of homemade Roasted Sweet Potato Quinoa Black Bean Salad over a refined soup or crustless sandwich every afternoon of the week.
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I also really love brown bagging.
During my four years working at Target’s corporate headquarters in Minneapolis, I packed my lunch almost every single day, despite the fact that the office has a stellar cafeteria and was within walking distance of every fast food destination you can imagine.
The less-than-glamorous truth is, while I look forward to going out for date night dinners and happy hours, lunch is a meal that I’ve always preferred to prepare for myself, even when it meant carrying it in a lunch box. I save my extra pennies and splurges for dinners and drinks.
Nearly every weekend of my corporate career, I would lunch prep by making a big pot of grains like quinoa and a batch of roasted seasonal vegetables.
Then, throughout the week, I mixed them with different nuts and proteins to make healthy salads that were tasty, easy to pack, and filling enough to power me through long afternoons of meetings.
Quinoa and sweet potatoes are a tasty combo in so many of my favorite recipes, like Sweet Potato Salad with Bacon and my Slow Cooker Turkey Chili recipe.
A Desk-Worthy Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad
This healthy sweet potato quinoa black bean salad is exactly the sort of meal that I can spend all morning looking forward to at my desk.
It’s nutritious, offers a pleasing contrast of textures between the creamy sweet potatoes (which also star in this vegetarian Mexican Salad) and crisp bell peppers, and has enough protein and fiber from the beans and quinoa to keep me full for hours.
The zippy dressing—a tantalizing blend of honey and lime—never fails to perk me right up, even when the weekend still feels far away.
Just like this Quinoa Chickpea Salad, this recipe is quick and easy to prepare and yields enough for several lunches. It’s also a perfect party side dish, because it can be made ahead and tastes great both cold and at room temperature.
Now that I work from home, I don’t need to pack my lunch, but I still looked forward to this sweet potato quinoa black bean salad every day that it was in the refrigerator.
Try it mixed with greens with a handful of pepitas and avocado for lunch, warmed inside a tortilla with cheese for dinner, or simply as it is.
More Satisfying Salad Recipes
- Chickpea Tuna Salad
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Israeli Couscous Salad with Feta and Mint
- Asian Noodle Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing
- Southwest Farro Salad with Corn and Tomatoes
Recommended Tools to Make This Recipe
- Metal measuring cups and measuring spoons
- Stacking mixing bowls
- Mason jar (for shaking dressing)
Sweet Potato Quinoa Black Bean Salad
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Ingredients
- 1 ¼ pounds sweet potatoes scrubbed and peeled (about 3 small/medium), cut into 1/2-inch chunks
- 1 large red onion cut into 1/2-inch chunks
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- 2 teaspoons ground chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ cups cooked quinoa from 1/2 cup dry
- Zest and juice of 2 limes 3 tablespoons lime juice total
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup or substitute honey or light agave nectar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 can reduced sodium black beans (15 ounces), rinsed and drained
- 1 large bell pepper cored and diced
- ¾ cup freshly chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the cubed sweet potatoes and red onion on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then sprinkle with the chili powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Toss to coat and spread into a single layer. Bake until the potatoes are just tender, about 25 minutes, turning halfway through. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- While the potatoes bake, cook the quinoa (if needed). In a small bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the remaining 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, lime juice and zest, maple syrup, and garlic (or shake the ingredients together in a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, black beans, bell pepper, cilantro, and roasted sweet potatoes and onions. Pour the dressing over the top, then toss to combine. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
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Wow! So good. Like a superfood salad
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Grant! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Delicious salad! I used frozen diced sweet potatoes and the instant pot to make the quinoa which made this recipe quick and easy! I can’t wait to have leftovers today for lunch.
Hi Shannon! So glad you enjoyed them! Thank you for this kind review!
Good. Takes more time than you would think
Glad you enjoyed them Dixie!
Delicious, nutritious, and fun flavors with the lime dressing. This recipe will be enjoyed often. Thanks!
Hi Jan! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Served this salad this past weekend and it was a hit. I prepared recipe the night before and prepared dressing but reserved it until I served the salad. It saved time the day of party and salad was fresh. I am leary of dressings being “too much”, but it was perfect. Both vegetarians and meat eaters loved it!
Hi Barbara! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Recipe is a good base. Where you take it is up to you, but it does need a little something. We added Tajin and were in love. If you have some in the pantry give it a try.
Hi Jersh! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Super foods, super good! Made as per recipe and it turned it great.
Hi Don! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Excellent salad. I added fresh (chopped and massaged) lacinato kale to make this a main course. I also did not roast the red onions, I kept them raw. It was enough for 2 very large adult dinner portions. This is getting added to my “Keepers” binder.
Glad you enjoyed it, Alice!
Great recipe! Used roasted red peppers instead of fresh. Ate it for lunch the next day topped with a chicken breast and some sriracha mayo.
So glad you enjoyed it, Keri!
Delicious!! I added more fresh garlic and more quinoa. Doubled everything for Sunday meal prep… It made a lot! Going to add cooked chicken thighs for protein :) the lime dressing is delicious.
Yay! Great to hear! Thank you Charlene!
I don’t think I’ve ever reviewed a recipe before but I’m swooning over this one. Keeps well, easy to make, and really delicious!
Yay! Thank you so much Heather!
This was super delicious!! Yummy. I used lemon juice instead of lime since that is all I had on hand. Something so delicious about maple syrup and lemon juice!
So happy to hear, thank you!
I liked. My family did not. Can I freeze this?
Hi Lee, for the most part I’d say yes, but with the sweet potatoes, I am not sure how well it will hold up. Let us know if you give it a try!
I would make this recipe again
Thank you Mary!
In place of cilantro, what do you suggest??
Hi Bry, parsley is a great substitute for cilantro. Enjoy!