Southwest Quinoa and Black Bean Skillet

WW Recipe of the Day: Southwest Quinoa and Black Bean Skillet
(285 calories | 9 5 1 myWW *SmartPoints value per serving)

Looking for a simple, one-dish, vegetarian, gluten-free meal with all the flavors of the Southwest? This low fat Southwestern Quinoa and Black Beans Skillet is ready in 30 minutes and may just fit the bill.

No fancy ingredients. Minimal chopping. Easily control the heat level with your favorite salsa. What could be easier?

How Many Calories and WW Points in this Southwestern Quinoa Skillet?

According to my calculations, each generous serving has 285 calories and:

9 *SmartPoints (Green plan)
5 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
1 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)
7 *PointsPlus (Old plan)

Curious about Weight Watchers new myWW Green, Blue and Purple plans? Watch this short video to learn more:

How to Make Southwest Black Bean and Quinoa Skillet Step-by-Step

Step 1: Gather and prepare all ingredients.

Step 2: Add quinoa, cumin, salt, water and ½ cup salsa to large skillet (affiliate link).

Cooking quinoa with salsa

Over high heat, bring mixture to a boil.

Step 3: Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, or until most (but not all) of the liquid is absorbed, stirring once or twice while simmering.

Quinoa cooked with salsa

Step 4: Add the beans, corn, green onions and stir to combine.

Stirring together Southwestern Quinoa Skillet ingredients

Step 5: Cover and continue simmering for 8 to 10 minutes (without stirring), or until liquid is absorbed.

Step 6: Remove pan from heat and stir in chopped cilantro and the remaining salsa and mix well before serving.

Adding remaining salsa and chopped cilantro to quinoa skillet

Step 7: This quinoa salad can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.

Southwestern Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

One-Pan Quinoa and Black Beans Recipe Notes

Be sure to read the label carefully for your quinoa as most brands recommend rinsing the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer (affiliate link) prior to cooking. This helps remove the bitter-tasting natural saponin coating from the quinoa.

I really like Costco's Kirkland brand organic quinoa, which according to the package has been pre-rinsed. However, it only takes a minute, so there's no harm in giving it another quick rinse prior to cooking.

How to Make Quinoa on the Stovetop

Southwest Quinoa and Black Beans Serving Suggestions

• Serve with baked tortilla chips, low-fat shredded Mexican cheese blend, guacamole and more salsa for make-your-own taco salad night.
• Turn this into a hearty salad by adding your favorite cooked lean protein (chicken, turkey, pork, beef).
• Serve as a salad alongside your favorite grilled protein.

Ways to Use Southwestern Quinoa and Black Bean Leftovers

• Add southwestern quinoa skillet leftovers as a yummy omelet-stuffing or even easier, mixed in with scrambled eggs.
• Heat up leftovers and serve with whole wheat tortillas for Vegetarian Taco Tuesday!
• Add to a bed of mixed greens, and top with shredded lean chicken and avocado slices for a filling main course salad.

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4.17 from 6 votes

Southwest Quinoa and Black Bean Skillet

This easy one-pot vegetarian meal can be made as spicy, or mild, as you like!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Total Time30 mins

Servings (adjustable): 4

Calories: 285

Author: Peter | Simple Nourished Living

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ▢ 2 cups water
• ▢ 1-¼ cups chipotle salsa, divided (or your favorite salsa)
• ▢ 1 can (about 14 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• ▢ 1 cup frozen corn kernels
• ▢ ½ cup chopped green onions
• ▢ ¼ cup packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

Instructions

• Add quinoa, cumin, salt, water and ½ cup salsa to large skillet. Over high heat, bring mixture to a boil.
• Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, or until most (but not all) of the liquid is absorbed, stirring once or twice while simmering.
• Add the beans, corn, green onions and stir to combine.
• Cover and continue simmering for 8 to 10 minutes (without stirring), or until liquid is absorbed.
• Remove pan from heat and stir in chopped cilantro and the remaining salsa before serving.

Recipe Notes

Be sure to read the label carefully for your quinoa as most brands recommend rinsing the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer prior to cooking. This helps remove the bitter-tasting natural saponin coating from the quinoa.

I really like Costco's Kirkland brand organic quinoa, which according to the package has been pre-rinsed. However, it only takes a minute, so there's no harm in giving it another quick rinse prior to cooking.

9 *SmartPoints (Green plan)

5 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)

1 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)

7 *PointsPlus (Old plan)

Nutrition Facts

Southwest Quinoa and Black Bean Skillet

Amount Per Serving (1 /4th of recipe)

Calories 285 Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Fat 3g5%

Carbohydrates 51g17%

Fiber 8g32%

Protein 12g24%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: one-pot quinoa and black beans, vegan quinoa with black beans, vegetarian quinoa skillet

Did you make this recipe?Mention @simplenourishedliving on Instagram and tag #simplenourishedliving - we love to see your creations!

Recipe source: 5 Easy Steps to Healthy Cooking: 500 Recipes for Lifelong Wellness (affiliate link) by Camilla V. Saulsbury

*PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT each plan's ZeroPoint Foods (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) using the WW Recipe Builder.

If you like this one-dish vegetarian southwestern quinoa, you might also like:

• Southwestern Stoplight Quinoa Salad
• Cumin-Scented Black Beans with Quinoa
• Corn and Quinoa Salad with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
• Vegetarian Greek Quinoa Salad

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