Vegan Black Bean “Fried” Quinoa

Name: Black Bean Fried Quinoa
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon avocado oil (or any neutral-tasting oil); ½ cup sweet onion (diced); ½ cup green bell pepper (diced); 2 cloves garlic (minced); ½ teaspoon ancho chile powder; 2 cups cooked quinoa; 1 cup cooked black beans (drained); ½ cup corn kernels; fresh limes and cilantro to garnish

March 22, 2015

This black bean fried quinoa stir-fry is a quick and easy vegan meal. Use up leftover quinoa and black beans for an easy meal prep recipe!

Jump to Recipe

This month’s recipe redux challenge was to show how we cook once and remix the leftovers. In prepping for this month’s post, my overachieving tendencies kinda took over and I ended up with three recipes. Let me explain…

As much as I love black beans, I realized that I had not posted a black bean recipe here on the blog. I mean. I eat them at least once a week. So this post is me completely overdoing it on black bean recipes. The first up is my Black Bean Fried Quinoa.

Spice up #mealprep with this Black Bean 'Fried' Quinoa this week!

It all started with my slow cooker black beans. The slow cooker beans are an excellent canvas to build flavorful meals throughout the week. I took that recipe and made two.

For the Black Bean Fried Quinoa, I wanted to build in layers of flavor to elevate the beans. I started by sauteeing onions with ancho chile powder.

I added in the cooked quinoa. Now, I could have easily stopped right here. The toasted quinoa mixed with the spicy onion mixture was tempting. But I added the rest of the ingredients to complete the meal. Scroll down to get the full recipe.

For TAKE TWO: I combined the leftover slow cooker beans with some of my favorite spices to make a Spicy Black Bean Soup with Ancho Chile Pepitas.

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5 from 5 votes

Black Bean Fried Quinoa

This black bean fried quinoa is a quick and easy vegan meal. Use up leftover quinoa and black beans for an easy meal prep recipe!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time15 mins

Course: Entree, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: black beans

Servings:

Calories: 335kcal

Author: Marisa Moore

Ingredients

1 tablespoon avocado oil (or any neutral-tasting oil)
½ cup sweet onion diced
½ cup green bell pepper diced
2 cloves garlic minced
½ teaspoon ancho chile powder
2 cups cooked quinoa
1 cup cooked black beans drained
½ cup corn kernels
fresh limes and cilantro to garnish

Instructions

Heat the oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion and bell pepper in the oil until translucent. Add the chile powder and garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
Add the quinoa. Cook until any lingering oil or moisture is absorbed. Add the black beans and corn. Heat through and serve.
For extra flavor, add a squeeze of lime and chopped cilantro on top.

Notes

If using canned beans, add one can of rinsed and drained black beans.

Nutrition

Calories: 335kcal

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24 Comments on Vegan Black Bean “Fried” Quinoa

Alanna
March 22, 2015 at 4:38 PM (4 years ago)
That quinoa is calling my name! I adore black beans and am always looking for new ways to incorporate them into my meals. Can't wait to try this! Reply
- Marisa
  March 23, 2015 at 6:41 AM (4 years ago)
  Thanks Alanna! Black beans are already so flavorful that these recipes come together in a snap! Reply
Min
March 22, 2015 at 4:46 PM (4 years ago)
I cook a batch of dried beans about twice a month and freeze them. However, I've never made them in a slow cooker so I'm excited to try! Loving the addition of ancho chile powder! And I see two of our foods here (wink wink) Reply
- Marisa
  March 23, 2015 at 6:39 AM (4 years ago)
  LOL! I didn't even think of that Min! But yeah... beans in the slow cooker are the easiest thing! Reply
Farrah
March 22, 2015 at 9:06 PM (4 years ago)
This looks amazing! I have a bag of dried black beans that I've been meaning to use. Hooray for being able to make it in a slow cooker! :D Reply
- Marisa
  March 23, 2015 at 6:40 AM (4 years ago)
  Thanks, Farrah! I tend to only use my slow cooker in the winter. This year -even if only for beans- I think I'll use it more often. Reply
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious
March 23, 2015 at 1:16 PM (4 years ago)
Yum! This looks so delish. I love black beans also. So many great flavors in this quinoa dish! Reply
- Marisa
  March 26, 2015 at 11:11 AM (4 years ago)
  Thanks, Jessica! I love that it's so flexible. I added different veggies to it throughout the week. Reply
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
March 23, 2015 at 3:51 PM (4 years ago)
That's the way to make "fried rice" haha! Awesome! Reply
- Marisa
  March 23, 2015 at 9:05 PM (4 years ago)
  I actually like it so much better. Perfect canvas for many meals to come! Reply
dixya | food, pleasure, and health
March 23, 2015 at 5:42 PM (4 years ago)
i generally used canned beans but i should really get into making them in slow cooker. love this idea too. Reply
genevieve @ gratitude and greens
March 27, 2015 at 9:45 PM (4 years ago)
You had me at ancho chile powder. This sounds so yummy and I can't wait to try it! And I totally agree: black beans are awesome! Reply
- Marisa
  March 28, 2015 at 2:14 PM (4 years ago)
  I know. Don't you just love the sweet heat of ancho chiles?! Thanks for stopping by! Reply
Traci
December 31, 2018 at 12:09 PM (5 months ago)
Perfect recipe for this time of year! Vegan skillet meals are so lovely...let's eat ALL the quinoa and black beans!
Reply
- Marisa
  December 31, 2018 at 2:23 PM (5 months ago)
  I'm with you, Traci! All the way with ya! Reply
Kathi
December 31, 2018 at 12:15 PM (5 months ago)
This looks like lunch all week to me! Piled high on top of some fresh greens! Yum!
Reply
- Marisa
  December 31, 2018 at 2:24 PM (5 months ago)
  It's so perfect for meal prep and would be delicious atop a big pile of greens! Reply
Saima
December 31, 2018 at 12:57 PM (5 months ago)
Quinoa! Never tried it before, so your recipe is calling to me to make it! Will do so soon.
Reply
- Marisa
  December 31, 2018 at 2:24 PM (5 months ago)
  Oh yeah. You gotta try quinoa. It's pretty bland so adding it to a flavorful dish is my favorite way to use it. Reply
Tara
December 31, 2018 at 12:59 PM (5 months ago)
Yum! This definitely sounds perfect for using up leftovers. I love your use of the ancho chili powder.
Reply
- Marisa
  December 31, 2018 at 2:22 PM (5 months ago)
  Ancho chiles add a nice, almost sweet heat! Reply
Lauren Vavala | DeliciousLittleBites
December 31, 2018 at 2:11 PM (5 months ago)
This recipe is delicious! I love how it's versatile enough to enjoy as a main dish or as a side!
Reply
- Marisa
  December 31, 2018 at 2:25 PM (5 months ago)
  Thanks Lauren. And Yes. It's perfect for either or both and an easy meal prep recipe too! Reply