Despite it being the middle of winter here I’ve had a bit of a craving for summertime foods lately. Perhaps it’s the result of a little winter-induced funk. Or maybe it is because we had the most beautiful sunny winter weather over the weekend. A perfect excuse to pretend it’s summer :)
We love Mexican inspired food here at Veggie num num. Anything that involves wrapping up spicy and fresh ingredients to be eaten in messy mouthfuls is a-okay with me!! Burritos are a favourite and fantastic healthy family food that kids love to eat too.
Wanting to try something a little different I decided to switch the usual beans and rice to quinoa instead. I love this little grain with its beautiful subtle flavor and texture it’s a perfect swap for rice when you feel like something a little lighter.
These healthy vegetarian burritos are full of fantastic flavor. With spicy beans and quinoa, a sweet red cabbage & apple slaw and fresh green tomato salsa all lending a hand to create a super tasty and healthy vegetarian recipe!!
All the elements can be made ahead of time and simply reheat the quinoa and beans and warm a few tortillas (but preferably not to the point of crispy-ness like the ones in the pics… opps :) when you are ready to eat. A great healthy and tasty recipe for a lunch in the sun with family and friends!


Preparation Time: 45mins
Serves 4-6
Quinoa & Beans
- 2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp coriander (cilantro) seeds
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1-2 tbs olive oil
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups cooked or tinned borlotti beans
- 1 cup quinoa
- 3 cups vegetable stock
- 1 cup fresh mint, roughly chopped
Dry roast the cumin and coriander seeds over a medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant but be careful not to burn them. Grind the roasted seeds until they form a coarse powder.
Heat the olive oil in a deep heavy based frying pan, fry off the spices including the paprika for 30 seconds add the onion and continue to fry over a medium heat adding the garlic after 1-2 minutes.
Adding a little dash of stock to form a paste in the bottom of the pan toss in the beans and quinoa stir to combine and cook for a minute to allow the flavours develop. Add the remaining stock and bringing to a gentle simmer cook the quinoa for 15 minutes over a low heat until tender and liquid absorbed.
The quinoa and beans can be made ahead of time a reheated being sure to toss through the chopped mint just before serving.

Red Cabbage & Apple Slaw
- 270g (9½ oz) red cabbage, shredded
- 1 red apple, diced
- ¼ cup sultanas (raisins)
- 1 juicy lime, juice only
- ¼ cup non-dairy or dairy yoghurt
- ½ cup fresh coriander, roughly chopped
Whisk the lime juice with the yoghurt adding salt and pepper to taste. Toss all the ingredients together including the dressing until well combined, set aside. The slaw can be made ahead of time a kept covered in the fridge.
Green Tomato Salsa
- 1 green tomato, chopped
- ½ red capsicum (bell pepper), diced
- 2 spring onions, chopped
- 1 chilli (optional), diced
- 1 lime, juice only
- pinch raw sugar
Combine all the ingredients together in a food processor or using a stick blender process to a thick salsa sauce. Use immediately or keep covered in the fridge.
Quinoa & Bean Burritos w/ Slaw & Green Tomato Salsa
- Quinoa & Beans
- Red Cabbage & Apple Slaw
- Green Tomato Salsa
- Dairy or dairy-free yoghurt (optional)
- Your favourite dairy or dairy-free cheese (optional)
- fresh lettuce leaves
- sliced avocado
- warmed tortillas (if you’d like to try making your own follow this recipe I posted a while back for Homemade Wheat Tortillas :)
Spread a warmed tortilla with a little yoghurt if using, top with lettuce leaves, quinoa and beans, green tomato salsa, slaw, slices of avocado and cheese if using. Wrap up and enjoy. A great vegan or vegetarian recipe the whole family will love!!


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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Oooooh what a great recipe Trudy! I love mexican food too, but this is a fantastic spin on it. I adore the red cabbage and apple slaw. All the colours and textures are gorgeous!!
Oh, these look delicious! I’ve been craving Mexican flavours lately–I think it’s a summertime thing! I’ll have to give these a try! :)
There is nothing like a good vegetarian Mexican meal without feeling any guilt. MY favorite element in this burrito has to be the green tomato salsa!
Yum, this looks so good – especially the bean & quinoa mix! I really need to make some burritos soon, it’s been too long!
That is one colourful burrito!! red cabbage & apple slaw sounds so yum!! Beautiful photos Trudy
oh. wow.
that looks soooo good. I LOVE Mexican food and have also been craving it. Thanks for more inspiration.
That looks so delicious! Talk about colorful :D I think the quinoa and bean mixture would probably be great on its own, but in a burrito? Yum!! I’m totally trying these or at least my own variation :D
I love making meals ahead of time! Best.ever.
I made something similar last week, only with rice + navy beans and threw the “meat” on a salad. It was delicious!
Also, loving your photos. I’m new to your blog – I believe I found you through foodgawker and I’m loving your recipes already. Keep up the fantastic recipes :)
Those colors are just the prettiest things! And I don’t think you need any excuse to prepare summery foods. I do it all the time, even in the coldest of weather.
Yum yum, I just so happened to cook up a large batch of Borlotti beans on the weekend – now I know exactly what to do with them! :)
Mmmmmm, looks yummy!
Sorry to be ignorant, but what are Borlotti beans? Never heard of them before…
That has got to be the most colorful burrito ever! Looks extra yummy! :-)
Hi everyone and thanks for all the lovely comments and great feedback here :D
HI Barbara, borlotti beans are similar to a red kidney bean in size and texture, you can buy them fresh, dried or tinned. Simply substitute kidney beans or really any similar bean if you can’t find brolotti.
Mmm what a delicious and healthy veggie burrito. Love the slaw!
i am new to your blog–and this is the first recipe that i have read, and i am quite impressed!….i am adding this recipe to my ‘make’ folder
This was delicious Trudy, I thought the combinations were a bit weird when I looked at the recipe but it was perfect. My husband loved them too and he considers himself a “meatatarian”, he also made his own tortillas and they were worth the extra time. Yummmm
Made these for my flatties on Sunday night and they went down a treat! Had leftovers for work yesterday which was the highlight of my day! Love your recipes, have mad quite a few now :)
Thank you Xiaolu :)
Hi Eva, thanks and I hope you drop by again!!
Hi Kate, thank you for the awesome feedback!! Happy to hear both you and your “meatatarian” enjoyed these healthy burritos :)
Yay, thank you Emily!! So very happy to hear you are enjoying and sharing Veggie num num’s recipes :D
I never get tired of burritos and tacos!
this sounds too good.
I made this the other day and it was so yummy. There are a lot of different flavours with this dish but it works! The burritos are very filling and very nutritious. Am going to make it again very soon. Love all your recipes
my boyfriend and i have been working our way through your amazing recipes over the last few months and always talk about how we should get on an thank you in the comments, but we’re always so full of delicious food that we don’t get up and do it! this one is our hands-down favourite thus far. it’s so amazingly tasty! the combination of things work so well together and with all the different colours it looks wonderful to boot. so thank you very much for all your lovely recipes and beautiful photographs. :)
I made this for dinner last night and it was so yummy! The quinoa, salsa and slaw came together in a flavour explosion!!
My husband liked them better then the chicken ones I used to make (before turning veggie) yay!
I am looking forward to having the left overs for dinner again tonight.
Thanks again for another great receipe :)
Wow this looks amazing – and what colors! Can’t wait to try this
I’ve made this recipe about six times now and it’s always a hit, especially with my husband.