August 10, 2015
(last updated September 7, 2020) 
Last summer, while we were still in D.C., Steven and I created a tradition of having a hearty dinner salad at some point each weekend. It was a nice way to enjoy a low-stress, adaptable weekend meal that would let us clear out the fridge before we replenished groceries for the week ahead. This past winter, the Saturday night dinner salad tradition morphed into a soup + salad tradition to accommodate the change in seasons. It became routine for us to catch up on housework and other weekend activities as a warm, fragrant pot of soup simmered on the stovetop, which we’d soon enjoy with something fresh and green.
We’ve been alternating between dinner salads and summery soup + salad combinations this summer, and it continues to be a cherished, homey Saturday night routine. The salad I’m sharing today originated over a week ago, after my return home from New Orleans. I didn’t intend to blog about it, but it was so good that I decided it would be a shame not to. I made it again this past weekend, and once again, we loved it. It’s rare for us to repeat a salad twice in one week, but this one is worth it.
As you can see, this salad is full of texture and color. It’s a summery mix with Mexican-inspired flavors, including cilantro, lime, and fresh corn. There’s some prep work required–namely, the cooking of the quinoa and the marinating/baking of the tempeh–but the end result is well worth it, a fresh, bright, and crunchy meal that’s also incredibly hearty.
The first time I made this salad, I used Beyond Meat lightly seasoned strips in place of tempeh. This definitely streamlined the process, and the results were delicious.
This past weekend, when I recreated the salad, I tried it with baked and marinated tempeh. Both versions are good; the tempeh version has more earthy flavor and umami, while the Beyond Meat version offers the convenience of a prepared product and an authentic chicken texture and flavor, if that appeals. You could also use seasoned, baked tofu here–homemade or store-bought! I’m offering the recipe with tempeh, but feel free to pick another plant-protein of choice.
Quinoa, Corn, Black Bean, and Tempeh Salad with Creamy Cilantro Dressing (gluten free)
Author -Yields: 4 large or 6 small servings
Ingredients
*For the Salad*:
- 2 tablespoons low sodium tamari
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 8- ounce block tempeh**
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans or 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1 1/2 cups corn kernels from 2 large ears, raw or blanched
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup chopped bell pepper
- 4 cups finely chopped romaine lettuce
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
*For the Creamy Cilantro Dressing*:
- 8 ounces silken tofu
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 shallot chopped
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- ** Note that the marinated and baked tempeh can be replaced with 8 ounces of seasoned tofu cubed Beyond Meat seasoned chicken strips, soy curls, or another favorite plant-based protein
Instructions
- Whisk together the tamari, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, garlic, and water. Cut the tempeh into cubes and place them in a storage container or a small baking dish that's roomy enough for them all to fit in a single layer. Pour the marinade over the tempeh cubes and transfer them to the fridge. Marinate for an hour, or up to 12. Preheat the oven to 350F. Transfer the tempeh cubes to a parchment lined baking sheet or oven-safe baking dish. Bake the tempeh cubes for 15-20 minutes, or until they're lightly browned and crispy at the edges, flipping them halfway through.
- While the tempeh bakes, Rinse the quinoa through a fine sieve until the water runs clear. Combine it with 2 cups of water in a medium sized pot. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce the water to a simmer. Simmer the quinoa for 15 minutes, or until all of the water has absorbed into the grain. Fluff the quinoa lightly with a fork, cover it again, and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
- Combine all of the cilantro dressing ingredients in a blender and blend until they're creamy and smooth. Add an extra splash of water if the dressing is too thick.
- Combine the cooked quinoa, tempeh, black beans, onion, corn, cucumber, bell pepper, romaine, and cilantro in a large mixing bowl. Add enough dressing to coat the salad very well (I used about 2/3 of the whole dressing recipe) and mix the salad thoroughly. Serve. Salad leftovers will keep overnight in an airtight container in the fridge.
This salad is packed with protein, thanks to the quinoa, beans, tempeh, and the silken tofu in the dressing. It’s an ideal option for plant-based eaters who are trying to maximize protein intake, and it has longterm staying power in terms of satiety!
I love lots of textural variety in a salad, and the crispy tempeh cubes, chewy beans and quinoa, and crunchy veggies truly fit the bill here. The dressing is light and lovely, and any leftovers can be used for future salads or as a simple dip for veggies.
If you try it, feel free to modify the ingredients a bit based on what you have in the fridge. Dinner salads are built for personalization.
Hope you enjoy the recipe! And if you make any tasty modifications, I’d love to hear about them 🙂
And on that tasty note, it’s time to me to return to work. I hope that your weeks are off to an excellent start!
xo
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Categories: Recipes,
Salads,
Meal Sized Salads
Method: Oven, Stovetop
Ingredients: Black Beans, Quinoa, Tempeh
Dietary Preferences: Gluten Free, Tree Nut Free, Vegan
Method: Oven, Stovetop
Ingredients: Black Beans, Quinoa, Tempeh
Dietary Preferences: Gluten Free, Tree Nut Free, Vegan
Leave a Comment
I made this for my family tonight and it was a huge hit. Added diced avocado because the kids are huge fans. THe tempeh was a bit sour but I didn’t measure exactly so my faulty. YUM. Will be adding this to the rotation. Also had fresh corn that I cut off the cob, tossed with EVOO, Sea salt, chili powder and roasted it in the oven while the tempeh baked and it was delish added in there. A smokey sweetness and a hint of spice. Thanks!
Hi,
I don’t havean oven – can I just bake it in a pan?
Thanks!
Sha
Yes, you can saute it in a pan, Sha, for sure.
I really like the sound of this salad – it has everything! Beans, veggies, tempeh – perfect combo. I would prefer tempeh myself, but my hubby will like trying the beyond meat version =)
hi
recipe sounds great.
i can’t get silkened Tofu – any alternatives????
Hey Helen,
You could try soaked cashews (I’d say 2/3 cup before soaking) or 1/2 large avocado instead. You may need to adjust the liquid a bit — but the texture should work!
Gena
Oooh, that is such a nice tradition that you and Steven have! It sounds like something my boyfriend and I would do too, but we unfortunately don’t live in the same city. Maybe salad dates over Skype? That could work. I’ve never tried Beyond Meat but I am a huge fan of tempeh. I love how summery this salad is! Sidenote: I also really like your plates!
Gen, salad dates over Skype sounds like one of the nicest long distance relationship routines I could think of! 🙂
I love cilantro so I can’t wait to try this dressing! Do you have any recommendations for substitutions for the tofu? Do you think I could use an avocado instead?
Hey Sarah! I think avocado would definitely work, but I think you’ll either need to start with half of one or add more liquid (if you use a whole one). I find that avocado is an awesome dressing base, but it does create a super fluffy, thick texture, which may or may not be what you want. Let me know how it goes 🙂
Wow this looks great! I will be trying it soon. So much protein! I always am looking for ways to use tempeh too bc left to my own devices I tend to only use tofu (I like it best). This is a good tempeh recipe to try!
Also, I made your palak paneer from Food 52 on Sunday and it was awesome! Added mushrooms because I couldn’t help myself.
Oh, so glad that you liked it, Amy! I bet that the mushrooms added lots of umami and texture…yum 🙂
I never reported back that I did indeed try this recipe a while ago and I loved it, just found this comment when I came back here to make it again- it’s on the docket for dinner tomorrow night! This is reminding me to make the palak paneer again too- that tofu was awesome.
This look heavenly! & the perfect dish for the last month of summer 🙂
I love that it’s bursting with colours and I’m already imagining the different texture you got in there! I’m thinking of substituting Burmese Chickpea Tofu as I’m not exactly a big fan of tofus. I wonder if that will work.
The salad looks delicious, but those plates! Beautiful!
That sounds delicious. It’s got a bit of everything, and is certainly packed with veggies! I look forward to trying out the recipe, thanks for sharing.
Hi Gena! This salad looks delicious and has all my favorite ingredients! Being new to veganism, I worry about getting enough protein. I am so making this!