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.
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, and 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!
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
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.
- 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
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 it on my smallest burner with the lowest heat.
- For extra flavor, use broth instead of water
Quinoa Faqs
Cooked quinoa will last 5-7 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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
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
Check out all my delicious recipes!
How to Cook Quinoa
Equipment
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
This post was originally published in January 2019. The images and recipe have been updated.
Katie Jane says
Great tips! I use a lot of quinoa so I'll use this as a reference!
David @ Spiced says
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! 🙂
Kathy says
I haven't tried it toasted, but that is a great idea!