Meatless Monday and Memorial Day brings a double whammy of tasty delights. If you are looking for emergency recipe idea’s for the announced vegan coming to your BBQ then look no further! I got you covered. Instead of serving up a boring burger on a bun why not try the Portabello Pizza Burger? Or my sweet and tangy pita pockets? Maybe a teriyaki chick’n & vegetable kebab? Or something a little healthier and substantial with this Southwestern Quinoa Bowl.
It’s no secret that I am a HUGE quinoa fan. Quinoa is a diverse grain with a nutty flavor and a firm favorite for me in the Summer months. For this dish I used the organic red quinoa, but it comes in a multitude of colors. It also absorbs the flavor of spices really well. This recipe features products by Gardein. Although Gardein sent me products for free, this doesn’t influence my thoughts as we have used Gardein products for years!
Southwestern Quinoa Bowl
Their are a few key ingredients to this bowl. Namely a southwest spice blend, like Mrs Dash, which you can get at most stores. Quinoa, vegetables, and Gardein Black Bean Burgers. The burgers can be cooked on the grill, stovetop, or oven. Full Ingredients list for the bowl I created:
- Gardein Black Bean Burgers
- Quinoa
- Southwest seasoning
- Kale
- Pineapple Chunks
- Beets
- Avocado
- Corn Salsa
- Dressing: Just Mayo
I cook my quinoa in the rice cooker. Adding the spices into the quinoa before cooking, so it has a while to absorb all the flavors. The quinoa takes the longest to cook. However the good news is that this can be prepared ahead of time and reheated before serving. I usually take this option as it’s the most convenient. Cook the Gardein Black Bean Burgers according to the direction on the bag. Whether that’s oven, stovetop or grill. While waiting for the burgers to cook throw the kale into a pan and lightly cook. This stops it being super chewy and IMO gives it more flavor.
Dressings, sauces and more
While the quinoa, kale and burgers are cooking prepare the beets, pineapple, avocado and dressings. I used the Trader Joes tomato-less salsa which has a sweet and tangy flavor to the dish. For some moisture I mix 1 tbsp of Just mayo with water for a runny dressing. The dish has enough flavor with the spices, Gardein burgers, salsa, sweet beets, and salsa that it doesn’t need a fancy dressing. You could also use a dollop of vegan sour cream. Less is definitely more for Southwestern quinoa bowl dressings!
Once the kale, burgers and quinoa are cooked mix them together with the chopped beets and pineapple. The burgers get chopped and sprinkled ontop of the bowl. Decorate with avocado slices and corn salsa.
Versatility of the Southwestern Quinoa bowl
As already mentioned this dish can be prepared ahead of time. Just add the burger towards the end and you’re golden. The other great news is that it reheats beautifully. Yes including the pineapple! hot pineapple is amazing! I’ve reheated the dish and served with grilled veggies (below) or you could add as a filling to stuffed peppers or squash. It can be a dish that goes outside just the Summer BBQ season.
Questions
What’s your favorite spice to cook with?
Are you a fan of hot pineapple?
Have you tried quinoa?
Aquarium of the Bay vs California Academy of Sciences
Ttrockwood
I love bowl meals like this and make them a lot! Most weekends i cook a big batch of quinoa or rice or whatever grain and i make a huge batch of basic massaged kale, then for lunches and dinners i use those to cut down on meal prep time.
This is such a great combo of ingredients! I use salsas from trader joe’s all the time- especially with avocado, i think those are so fantastic together!
Di Hickman
hahaha we area so alike! I bulk cook my quinoa/rice also for the week for salads. I’m really digging that corn salsa lately!
Rachel
This quinoa bowl looks really good! I’m trying to cook/eat more healthily now that the school year is over, so I’ll actually try to make this 🙂
Di Hickman
yay schools out! This quinoa bowl is great for summer!
Nayna Kanabar
This bowl looks so pleasing to the eye, it’s colourful and healthy too. I like the fact that you can swap ingredients to suit individual taste.
Di Hickman
Yep mangos and strawberries make it a totally different bowl
Sigrid Says
Oh wow! Now I am craving for something like this. Good thing I am going out tonight. I honestly don’t have the patience to prepare salads regularly. So I eat them when we go out hehe
Di Hickman
Tip: prepare more than one! I usually do 2-3 at a time
Samantha
I love to eat quinoa bowls but i’ve never tried southwestern style… definitely saving this for later!
Di Hickman
Yep try adding spices as you cook your quinoa
Kate Andrews
This looks delicious! I am a pescetarian so I appreciate meals that have no meat but provide protein.
Di Hickman
Plants provide all the protein we need! I’ve been vegan 5 years, vegetarian 20 years prior to that.
Nisha
i love quinoa 🙂 i like the combination of flavours 🙂 i do not like pineapples
Di Hickman
try mango or strawberries!
Jessica Martin
This looks so delicious and healthy! I’ve been trying to eat more healthy and I will have to make this as a lunch.
Di Hickman
yep healthy for sure
kim
This looks so tasty and healthy! I will definitely be giving this a try soon. Such a yummy, easy dinner!
Di Hickman
yep healthy! Lots of healthy fat in the avocado
Jhilmil Bhansali
Wow, this quinoa bowl with beetroot, pineapple chunks, corn, avocado sounds so delicious and full of nutrition. Would love to try this over weekend.
Di Hickman
Yep so nutritious!
Denni
can you please hand me that bowl ?:) ha – ha no kidding it looks so delicious that im hungry again ! grabbing ur recipe and I will make it over the weekend
Di Hickman
Hahaha I had leftovers, too late, all gone!
Autumn Murray
This looks absolutely delicious! I am going to try this recipe out this summer. Thank you for the recipe!
Di Hickman
Yep perfect for summer!
Samantha Carraro
I’ve never had a quinoa bowl but this one definitely looks delicious! I’ll surely try it, even though I think I’ll skip the pineapple.
Thanks for sharing!
Di Hickman
Try adding some other fruit like mango!
Elizabeth O
This looks really delicious. I love that it is veggie too definitely a recipe for me to save and try!
Di Hickman
Please do!
Melanie
This looks really yummy. Avocado and Quinoa, yes please. This is right up my street x
Di Hickman
yep avocado on anything!
Polly
Goodness! This is such a win! I’ve heard of this before but haven’t really tried them. I might this time. Thank you very much for sharing!
Di Hickman
Yep so many flavors
cait
i love quiona! YUM!
Di Hickman
Me too!
Brandy
I am new to trying quinoa in stuff. I bought some to give it a whirl with new recipes but haven’t found one that I enjoy yet. I’ll have to check this out!
Di Hickman
Definitely try some different recipes. Think about using it to replace rice or potatoes.
Heather McMechan
I’m a huge fan of anything and everything with Southwest dressing. I love how colorful this bowl is.
Di Hickman
Thanks! Yes I like spicy southwest too!
Rachel
I love southwestern flair type food. This looks really good and filling. I have a hard time sometimes finding meatless options that I like.
Di Hickman
I hope to be posting more meatless recipes and reviews on Mondays so fingers crossed you find some inspiration.
Jessa
What a creative mix of flavors! I love quinoa!
Di Hickman
Me too Jessa! So tasty!
Jack
Seems a good idea and I like to try new recipes and food. I always tell me mom to cook new things for us haha every time.
Di Hickman
It was tasty! Get her to try it 😉
Stephanie
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a combination of flavors like this before! I love pineapple any way you make it!! This looks so filling and so tasty.
Di Hickman
It really was, I love adding fruits to savory dishes
GiGi Eats
This bowl looks insanely hearty and flavorful!!! If I could eat it, I would dive head-first in!
Di Hickman
Just substitute the quinoa for something else. Sweet potato cubes works well!