Quinoa Taco Bowls are healthy and delicious, combining the flavors of taco salad with the added benefits of quinoa, creating a dinner recipe that everyone is sure to love!
Quinoa – it’s one of those things I am bound and determined to make my family love. Not only is it a healthy, inexpensive option, it’s also extremely versatile! The possibilities of what you can do with quinoa seem almost limitless. It’s along the lines of pasta or risotto -items which make dinner prep infinitely easier! If you have quinoa in the cupboard, you can pretty much mix it with anything and call it dinner. The key, though, is getting your family on board….!
To be honest, I have shied away from doing much with quinoa….not because of my kids, but because of my husband!! Jorden is not typically the most adventurous eater (he scoffs at couscous and wants nothing to do with kale)….and after making quinoa once without much of a reaction, I was convinced he had placed it in the same category as all the other things he has no interest in! But I decided to try it one more time, just to be sure.
I knew that my best bet was combining quinoa with something my family already loves, and when it comes to deciphering what my family loves most, the answer is clear: TACOS!! I’m pretty sure they could eat tacos a few times a week without any complaints, and there are plenty of weeks we have tacos one night and a different Mexican dish another. Which is totally fine with me – there’s nothing quicker or easier than tacos, and I love all Mexican food (especially when I can have a margarita to go with it)! I decided to make QUINOA TACO BOWLS.
For this quinoa taco bowls recipe, I eliminated the meat altogether, since quinoa is a complete protein.
I simply added the taco seasoning to the cooked quinoa. Then I piled on our favorite toppings – lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, avocado, black olives, shredded cheese, sour cream, and salsa – and we were all set! Time for the true test. I held my breath as everyone took their first bite…..and lo and behold, they all loved it! And when I say loved it, I mean there were NO complaints out of anyone’s mouth. I’m not sure about your house, but around here that says A LOT!! So I guess quinoa is back on the table. Success!!!!!
Quinoa Taco Bowls
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups dried quinoa
- 3 cups water
- 1.3 ounce package taco seasoning
- 14 ounce can black beans
- 8 ounces shredded cheese
- 3 cups chopped lettuce
- 2 tomatoes chopped
- 1 avocado chopped
- 1 small can sliced black olives drained
- salsa
- sour cream
Instructions
- Cook quinoa according to package instructions.
- Stir in taco seasoning.
- Spoon flavored quinoa into bowls; add toppings as desired.
marcie says
This looks so delicious, Cathy, and love that you changed it up with quinoa! 🙂
Rebecca says
Never would have thought of this, this is genius, Cathy! Thanks for what will be a quick and easy lunch next week!
Aniko@PlaceOfMyTaste says
I wish I would use quinoa more often. This looks very delish, Cathy! Pinning!
Lindsay+@+Life,+Love+and+Sugar says
I still haven’t tried Quinoa, but I’ve been wanting too. These taco bowls look like the perfect thing to try – yum!
Catherine says
These quinoa bowls look wonderful!! They look happy, bright and delicious!! Blessings, Catherine
Jessica says
Definetely going to give this a try Cathy. I love the flavors in this!
Kelley says
I need to try this! I want to like quinoa.. I really do! Its so versatile like you said. I will try this and recipe and hope my family likes it!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I love quinoa and I love this dish! How creative and tasty do your photos look?! Pinned!
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
I’m in the same boat as you! My husband doesn’t like quinoa. I’ve tried to load it up with tons of other goodies but the second he sees a quinoa he’s out. While I’d love to cook more with it, it’s hard to make something that I know he won’t eat. I love love love this dish! It’s simple and it looks so yummy! I’ll happily make this just for me and have lots of leftovers. 🙂 Pinned!
Isadora @ she likes food says
Ugh, my husband is the exact same way!! He wants absolutely nothing to do with kale and doesn’t care for quinoa, needless to say, he did not like my kale and quiona salad, haha! He does love Mexican food though, so maybe I can get him on board with this dish 🙂
Julie+@+Julie's+Eats+&+Treats says
I seriously need to try more with quinoa! This looks like a fabulous idea!
Linda Warren says
I love making taco salad and love including quinoa in just about anything. Wish I’d thought to add it to my taco salad before this. Thanks for sharing on Wonderful Wednesday.
Mallory says
I have never tried quinoa before, but I just bought some. This looks like a delicious way to try it out!
Maria says
What a great way to use quinoa! I’m always looking for new ways to cook it, and I love this! Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
Risa says
This is amazing. I think my family could mirror yours (our hubbies could be twins). I did just buy a package of quinoa for myself though for the first time and I’ve been dreaming up ways to prepare it. This will make a perfect weekday dinner!
Jodee+Weiland says
This looks like a delicious idea for a quick meal! I love taco flavored dishes, and this looks so easy to put together. The quinoa just makes it better. Thanks for sharing!
Susan+@+Oh+My!+Creative says
Thanks for linking to Whimsy Wednesday! I featured your recipe in my roundup post this week! I just tried a quinoa recipe last week and loved it! Can’t wait to try yours! You can see the post here…
http://www.ohmy-creative.com/recipe/festive-mexican-fiesta-recipes/
Hope to see you again tonight! Susan
Sherie says
This is so good. I just got done making it all though I didn’t make as much since it was just me. While I was cooking the Quinoa I added alittle bit of dried red and green peppers and dried onion. Once it was done cooking I eyeballed the taco seasoning and added chili powder ( I have a big tub of taco seasoning) I put some black beans in the pan to heat them up then added the salsa and added the amount of Quinoa I wanted. Stirred it up and added it to my bed of lettuce with Cheddar cheese, Sour cream, and Tortilla strips. Perfect lunch and hit the spot.
Shareba @ In Search Of Yummy-ness says
This looks so good! I found your post over at the Time to Sparkle link party 🙂
Libby says
Would this taste good cold ?
Jaren+(Diary+of+a+Recipe+Collector) says
So I have a bag of quinoa in my pantry, and I’ve yet to try it! I absolutely love mexican food so this dish gives me inspiration! I included it in my round up today! http://www.diaryofarecipecollector.com/easy-summer-lunch-ideas.html
Raven says
I went to the grocery store looking for quinoa. When I found it I was shocked. Quinoa was $7 for a small bag. That is ridiculous and certainly not inexpensive. Needless to say I didn’t buy it. I’ll. Just have to use rice.
Robin says
Really want to make this. It sounds delicious!! It would just be me and my youngest daughter eating it, but that’s ok! My question is when do you add in the black beans? Or are they considered one of the toppings?
Coco says
My husband makes something similar to this, although instead of using taco seasoning mix and salsa, he uses a can of rotel (diced green chilis and tomatoes). It is delish!
Katie says
What is the serving size on this?
Paige says
How many servings does this recipe make? I am interested in making it!
Ziva says
LOVE this recipe. So easy, so good and hubby-approved. He usually requires all meals to have meat in them, but I can get him to eat this because of the protein packed quinoa. I found we need more taco seasoning than recommended, but maybe that’s just me.
Zoe Pickburn says
This looks so delish and healthy and easy to make, I’m definitely going to have to give this a go for dinner one night this week!
Tina Prusha says
Always looking for new ways to incorporate quinoa into my diet, & mexican food is always a winner!
Sylvia Hall says
This is a great dish… satisfied my ” comfort food cravings “. Very filling too????
Janette says
How many servings does this make?
Jamie Corbin says
This recipe is Fabulous! I forgot to put out the shredded cheese and we didn’t even miss it! Thank you!
Rose says
Did you drain the can of black beans?
Cathy Trochelman says
Yes, drained black beans.
Aubree says
I would love to know the serving size?
Thanks!
MEAL5 says
Too tasty, I can not wait to do it!
Hanna says
This looks sweet. I love this.
Punit @ brain tumor surgery India says
Mouth mesmerizing food.
Carmen says
Quinoa tasted bitter. I wonder what I did wrong?
Cathy Trochelman says
Hi Carmen, My guess is that you didn’t rinse the quinoa well enough before cooking it.
Single Mom says
Can not wait to try it out! It looks so good to try..Thanks
mitchell guzan says
no serving size? no nutrition facts? what kind of hippie wannabe “healthy” recipe is this? its misleading and wont give you the results all yall looking for…
Stephanie says
Yummy!!!
I also added Tex Mex cheese, red onion, cilantro and a bit of chipotle greek yogourt dip sauce.
Ola @ Keyless Door Locks says
If only I can just spare 30 mins of my life for this. Sadly, I can’t. I don’t know why.
How do you train someone who is too lazy to be in the kitchen for things like this?
Nancy says
What a great idea! Putting this recipe on my menu for this week. Love quinoa!
CWlaz says
How many servings per recipe?
Thanks
Cathy Trochelman says
6 servings! Enjoy 🙂