Gluten-Free Southwestern Sweet Potato Quinoa Avocado Salad

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Here's a versatile recipe that has been a personal favorite and go-to for years now. There are so many ways you can spice up or cool off this Southwestern Sweet Potato Quinoa & Avocado Salad. Try switching around favorite veggies and spices to fit your flavor and make this dish friendly for multiple food sensitivities, which it's already Gluten-free!

How to Make Gluten-Free Southwestern Quinoa & Avocado Salad

Here's proof that it's not a challenge to make a well-rounded meal that tastes amazing and have it ready to go in just about 30 minutes. This recipe version is mainly focused on efficiency but can easily be made 100% unprocessed.

How to Prepare Quinoa

To prepare quinoa, be sure to rinse well in a mesh strainer first, as this removes the "earthy" taste that might spoil the overall dish. I place the strainer into the saucepan and fill until quinoa is just submerged, swish it around thoroughly for 30-60 seconds, rinse, and repeat.

This is not only to clear saponins, which can cause a bitter flavor, but also the dust and debris that are usually extremely obvious in the rising process, especially from bulk aisle sources.

The quinoa to water ratio is 1:2, and in the case of this recipe, 1 cup pseudo-cereal and 2 cups water. Bring them to a boil together, and reduce to a simmer. Experience has shown you can cook it covered or uncovered, but uncovered as it's easier to keep an eye on the water level and notice if you need to reduce the heat towards the end.

What kind of Corn - Fresh or Canned, Roasted or Grilled?

When it comes to corn, if not using canned, I recommend roasting fresh corn first. Fresh corn that has been roasted, either on the BBQ in the summer or in the oven with some EVOO and spices for those cooler months, is a real treat. Add in fresh cilantro, green onion, and refreshing citrus zest, and the end result is an amazing mix of flavors!

roasted-corn-and-fresh-cilantro-limes-and-green-onion-toppings-for-quinoa-salad

How to Roast Corn In The Oven

If you're using the oven, try adding the black beans, bell pepper, jalapeño, and garlic in the roasting process to give this recipe a deeper dimension of flavor that's well worth the extra time, if you can spare it. Mix ingredients with a drizzle of olive oil on a parchment lined baking sheet for about 20-25 minutes in the oven at 400° F before starting quinoa and sweet potatoes are on the stovetop!

Power Protein Detox Salad Options

This salad is a quick and easy meal that's not only packed with a balance of all three macronutrients along with essential vitamins and minerals, but also a ton of flavor! It gently detoxes heavy metals with help from cilantro and garlic and provides a boost to flush them out with the lemon!

You can save some serious time during the week with lunch prep and still get variety in your daily meals. Adding this salad onto a bed of your favorite greens helps keep it light and get an extra serving of veggies in.

On the other hand, to make a heartier higher fueling meal, combine with some greens in a gluten-free wrap for more substance. Using a light drizzle of your favorite home-made dressings is a quick switch up as well. Try Vegan Ranch Dressing or Cherry Walnut Vegan Salad Dressing for starters!

Looking for more amazing and healthy gluten-free recipes to try?

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Try this Southwestern Quinoa Salad for yourself and enjoy the nourishing and appetizing dish during a busy weeknight or for a light summer meal. The zesty citrus flavor with the cooling avocado combine for a refreshing treat that the whole body appreciates, while also being a gluten-free plant-based meal that packs quite the protein punch! Please feel free to share any delicious recipes you have with us on our ➡️Share A Recipe⬅️ page as well!

Southwestern Sweet Potato Quinoa & Avocado Salad

Yield: 6-8

Author: Ashley Woods

prep time: 10 M cook time: 25 M total time: 35 M

ingredients:

1 cup organic whole grain quinoa
2 cups water
2 medium sweet potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch cubes
2 tbsp olive oil
1 can of sweet corn, rinsed and drained
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 lemon, juiced
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp chipotle powder (+ more for a spicy preference)
Fresh ground pepper, to taste
Pink Himalayan salt, to taste
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
1 avocado, cubed
Gluten-Free tortillas (optional)
Spring Mix Lettuce (optional)

instructions:

How to make Southwestern Sweet Potato Quinoa & Avocado Salad

Rinse and prep sweet potatoes, jalapeño, bell pepper, and garlic.
In a fine mesh colander thoroughly rinse the quinoa, and combine the rinsed quinoa and 2 cups water in a medium-sized pot.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Remove the quinoa from heat and set aside, covered, for 5 minutes. Uncover the pot, drain off any excess water, and fluff the quinoa with a fork. Set it aside to cool.
While quinoa is cooking, warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the chopped sweet potatoes and toss to coat. Once the pan is sizzling, add just 1/4 cup water, then cover the pan. Reduce heat to low, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potato is tender and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
Uncover the pan, and raise the heat back to medium. Cook until the sweet potatoes are caramelizing around edges, about 5 minutes. (A splash of olive oil may be necessary to prevent sticking). Set aside with quinoa.
In a large bowl, add black beans, corn, bell pepper, jalapeño, and garlic with cooled quinoa and sweet potatoes.
Combine with lemon juice, spices, salt, and pepper to taste, mix well.
Top with avocado, cilantro, and green onions before serving. Can be served a la carte, on top a bed of salad, or as a wrap!

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Ashley Woods

ashie@assuaged.com

Hi there, currently I am attending Quantum University for Natural Medicine and Holistic Health. Growing up with some family members in the medical field while having others with issues that ranged from chronic illnesses to cancer to mental disease provided many dots to connect. Observing the connections and processes over the years has been a continuous drive for my passion of alternative healing. I have a deep-rooted interest in what I refer to as the three P's; Psychology, Philosophy, and Physics, and the revisions made by the field of quantum mechanics. I currently reside in Wyoming, to study and focus on the connection between how nature, simplistic lifestyle, and a healthy diet all contribute to optimal wellness. Mindfulness is key to a healthier self, inside and out, and each day is a new opportunity to embrace our best self and offer that to the world.

Topics: Recipes Health Benefits

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Health has never tasted so good.

Organic and plant-based varieties have proven to reduce the risk and progression of disease. Guess what? You can still have fun on date night indulging in sweets you never knew existed.

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Meal Prep - Southwestern Sweet Potato Quinoa & Avocado Salad

This quick and light Gluten-Free Southwestern Sweet Potato Quinoa & Avocado Salad is full of protein and healthy carbs and a perfect meal prep option.

Meal Prep - Southwestern Sweet Potato Quinoa & Avocado Salad