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Home » Recipe » How to Cook Quinoa

Published: Mar 24, 2020 · Modified: Oct 26, 2022 by Kathy · This post may contain affiliate links

How to Cook Quinoa

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Cooked quinoa in a pot.

Quinoa is an ancient grain that can be eaten by itself or added to many dishes. Learn how to cook quinoa and find a collection of recipes you can use with quinoa. 

Step by step directions and tips on how to cook quinoa.

Tricolored quinoa in a pot.
Table of Contents
Quinoa
Types of quinoa
What's so great about quinoa?
Step by step directions
Recipe tips
Quinoa Faqs
Recipes with quinoa
How to Cook Quinoa

Quinoa

Quinoa is one of those foods that's pretty unassuming and takes on the flavors of other ingredients.  It is often substituted for rice or barley in recipes.

Cooking it isn't difficult, but there are a few tips you need to follow so your quinoa isn't bitter tasting and is cooked correctly. 

Once cooked, quinoa can be stored in a covered container and refrigerated. You can add quinoa to recipes or make it the star of the show! I use cooked quinoa in salads, main dishes and often add it to everyday recipes, like pancakes to give a little extra protein and nutrition to dishes.

One cup of dried quinoa yields about three cups of cooked quinoa.

Types of quinoa

There are three main types of quinoa - red, white and black. You can also find tri colored quinoa which is a mixture of all three. Each variety cooks the same!

White quinoa and tri colored quinoa.

What's so great about quinoa?

Benefits of quinoa include:

  • High in protein
  • Gluten Free
  • High fiber
  • High in magnesium
  • Contains all 9 essential amino acids
  • High in other vitamins, calcium and iron
Two types of quinoa in bowls.

Step by step directions

  • Rinse quinoa first to remove a bitter coating. I like to rinse it even if the package states the quinoa has already been rinsed.
Rinsing quinoa in a sieve.
  • Place rinsed quinoa along with fresh water into a saucepan
  • Heat over high heat until mixture begins to boil. Stir lightly and cover pan.
  • Turn heat to the lowest setting and cook for 15 minutes
  • After 15 minutes, turn heat off and let sit with cover on for 5 minutes
  • Remove cover and fluff with a fork
Cooked quinoa in a saucepan.

Recipe tips

  • All types of quinoa have the same cooking method
  • One cup of dried quinoa yields about three cups of cooked
  • Be certain to rinse quinoa. This helps remove any bitterness
  • Once water comes to a boil, turn heat to the lowest setting and cover pot. I like to place on my smallest burner with the lowest heat.
  • For extra flavor, use broth instead of water

Quinoa Faqs

How long will cooked quinoa last?

Cooked quinoa will last 5-7 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Can I reheat quinoa?

Yes, quinoa can easily be reheated in the microwave. Just place in a microwave safe dish and heat for one minute or until heated through. If you are heating a large amount, stir halfway through.

Recipes with quinoa

  • Sweet potato salad with quinoa - Delicious and good for you salad.
  • Quinoa waffles - Traditional waffles with added cooked quinoa into the batter. 
  • Quinoa pancakes - Traditional pancakes with added cooked quinoa into the batter.
  • Quinoa banana bread - Delicious loaves of banana bread with added quinoa.
  • Quinoa enchilada bake - Vegetarian casserole filled with black beans, cheese and enchilada sauce
  • Quinoa farro salad - Whole grain salad  with lentils, black beans and red bell peppers
  • Quinoa salad - Fresh tomatoes, bell peppers and kalamata olives
  • Quinoa peach salad - Quinoa, brown rice and peaches 
  • Southwest quinoa salad - A delicious salad with black beans
A closeup shot of a salad.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

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Tricolored quinoa in a pot.

How to Cook Quinoa

Kathy
Method on how to cook quinoa
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Cook Time 15 mins
Rest Time 5 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 3 cups
Calories 104 kcal

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups
  • Sieve
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1 ½ cups water

Instructions
 

  • Place quinoa in a large bowl. Cover with water. Use fingers to rub grains between your fingers, gently massaging grains.
    1 cup quinoa
  • Pour into a fine meshed sieve and continue rinsing with running water.
  • Place quinoa and 1 ½ cups of water into a pot.
    1 ½ cups water
  • Bring to a boil and cover pot. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Turn off heat. Do not remove lid. Allow quinoa to sit covered with heat off for 5 minutes.
  • Remove lid and fluff with a fork.

Video

Notes

  • All types of quinoa have the same cooking method
  • One cup of dried quinoa yields about three cups of cooked
  • Be certain to rinse quinoa. This helps remove any bitterness
  • Once water comes to a boil, turn heat to the lowest setting and cover pot. I like to place on my smallest burner with the lowest heat.
  • For extra flavor, use broth instead of water
 

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 104kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 4gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 160mgFiber: 2gVitamin A: 4IUCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg
Keyword how to cook quinoa, quinoa
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This post was originally published in January 2019. The images and recipe have been updated.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie Jane says

    May 17, 2020 at 8:49 am

    5 stars
    Great tips! I use a lot of quinoa so I'll use this as a reference!

    Reply
  2. David @ Spiced says

    January 27, 2019 at 5:18 am

    Quinoa is one of those things that I often forget about...but I love it! These photos are excellent, Kathy. Have you ever tried toasting dry quinoa in a skillet before cooking it? It legitimately smells like peanut butter. I have no idea why! Give that a shot next time you make quinoa. Thanks for the tips and the reminder to make quinoa soon! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 28, 2019 at 5:40 am

      I haven't tried it toasted, but that is a great idea!

      Reply

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