How to Cook Quinoa

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. 

Quinoa is one of those foods that's pretty non-assuming 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.

Types of quinoa

There are three main types of quinoa - red, white and black. White quinoa is the most readily available and is what I use most often. 

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

How do you cook quinoa?

The best way to cook quinoa:

• Always rinse quinoa first to remove a bitter coating
• Measure 1 part quinoa to 2 parts water
• Boil for 12 minutes in a covered pot
• Let sit off heat with lid on for an additional 15 minutes
• Fluff with a fork

Ways to use quinoa:

Some uses of quinoa:

• Eat as a side dish with a bit of soy sauce
• Add a tablespoon to scrambled eggs before cooking
• Sprinkle a tablespoon over a green lettuce salad

Recipes that use cooked quinoa:

• 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

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How to Cook Quinoa

Kathy

Method on how to cook quinoa

5 from 2 votes

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Cook Time 12 mins

Rest Time 15 mins

Total Time 27 mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 3 cups

Calories 104 kcal

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Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 cup quinoa
• ▢ 2 cups water

Instructions

 

• Place quinoa in a large bowl. Cover with water. Use fingers to rub grains between your fingers, gently massaging grains.
• Pour into a fine meshed sieve and continue rinsing with running water.
• Place quinoa and 2 cups of water into a pot.
• Bring to a boil and cover pot. Boil for 12 minutes.
• Turn off heat. Do not remove lid. Allow quinoa to sit covered with heat off for 10 minutes.
• Remove lid and fluff with a fork.

Notes

• Can use chicken or vegetable broth in place of water.
• Once cooked, quinoa can be stored in a covered container and refrigerated.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 104kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 4gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 6mgPotassium: 160mgFiber: 2gCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg

Keyword how to cook quinoa, quinoa

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