Browse this extensive list of quinoa recipes to find your next favorite dinner! Learn how to make quinoa with our tried and true method for perfect fluffy quinoa.
How To Cook Quinoa was originally published April 20, 2011
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How to make best fluffy quinoa
If you're looking for a fool proof way to cook quinoa, we have it!
The stovetop method takes about 25 minutes from start to finish. The steps are pretty easy: rinse it, cook it. Voila! Perfectly cooked quinoa, every time.
I cook my quinoa in my favorite glass lidded pot, so I can keep an eye on it. If you follow this stovetop quinoa cooking method, you shouldn't have to watch it closely, but even the slightest difference in temperature might bring a different outcome - quinoa that is not completely cooked through, or quinoa that burns on the bottom.
How to cook quinoa:
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 ½ cups liquid (broth or water)
- pinch salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Rinse the quinoa to remove the glycoside residue (quinoa is a seed), reducing the bitter taste. I run the water for a minute or two, flipping the colander to rinse evenly.
- In medium size pot over high heat, bring the rinsed quinoa, liquid and salt to a rolling boil.
- Reduce to a very low simmer, cover with a lid and leave it alone for at least 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat, fluff with fork, serve.
Benefits of Quinoa
Quinoa, a whole grain food, is a protein powerhouse making it an awesome ingredient for the vegan diet.
Quinoa is classified as a complete protein, which means it contains all nine essential amino acids. It's also a great source of fiber, iron, magnesium and manganese.
With a nutty flavor and fluffy, chewy texture, quinoa a wonderful alternative to rice, couscous or any grain. It's versatile, too; you can serve it warm or cold, combine it with other food to make it a main entrée or keep it simple as a side dish.
How to store quinoa
Dry / uncooked quinoa has about a year shelf life, if kept sealed in an airtight container in a cool place. We keep our quinoa fresh in an Airscape container in our pantry.
Do you need to refrigerate cooked quinoa?
Cooked quinoa will keep in the refrigerator for about a week. We store cooked quinoa in a glass container with a sealing lid. These make great food prep containers as well.
The Best Vegan Quinoa Recipes
From salads to stews and from savory to sweet, browse this collection of awesome vegan quinoa recipes that will inspire you to make delicious creations using this super-grain.
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Quinoa Recipes
Browse this extensive list of quinoa recipes to find your next favorite dinner! Learn how to make quinoa with our tried and true method for perfect fluffy quinoa.
Green Goddess Chopped Salad is brimming with freshness and bright, herby flavors. This is a great meal prep salad, it stays crunchy and flavorful for several days in the fridge.
This entree salad has layers of flavor and texture, and these spicy buffalo wings are for everyone: soy free, gluten free, and oil free!
All the satisfying flavor, color, and texture in an easier to eat bowl. great for lunch or dinner – or breakfast – these super flavorful bowls are family friendly, easy to make, and antioxidant rich!
A unique flavor twist on everyone's favorite party bite - sweet pineapple and buttery cracker crumbs add to this spicy bite!
This recipe has layers of flavor and texture - raw, roasted, and pan fried veggies over quinoa and vegan buffalo chicken - savory and satisfying!
These mozzarella stuffed chicken burgers are incredibly flavorful and allergy friendly - soy AND gluten free!
A great meal prep recipe and the best potluck recipe, this vegan gluten free salad brings protein and fresh flavor.
Ginger carrot quinoa is a fresh and flavorful filling for a stuffed bell pepper! This is a great meal prep recipe for a quick dinner.
Bursting with fall flavor, this vegan salad makes a wonderful holiday side dish. Increase portions for an entree salad - perfect for a potluck or holiday party.
This hearty, plant based comfort food is an update on the classic recipe with the flavors that everyone loves.
A protein packed plant based update on the Mexican dip recipe you love – layers of fresh color, texture and flavor.
Vibrant cauliflower brings great color and texture to this salad. Layers of flavor and crunch with a bright lemony shallot dressing.
Now everyone can enjoy vegan chicken nuggets – these are soy, gluten, and nut free! grab your favorite dipping sauce, stuff in a wrap, or top a salad.
With a perfect balance of sweet and savory, this comfort food dish brings layers of texture and flavor!
This hearty vegan mushroom pie satisfies your comfort food cravings with a creamy herb mushroom filling and a light gluten free pastry.
This plant based comfort food dish is fresh and flavorful. A hearty vegan entree that suits just about any diet.
Hearty mushrooms are filled with protein packed quinoa and kale, topped with all of your favorite burger toppings.
Vibrantly flavored with classic sushi flavors, this crispy vegan chicken burger is sandwiched inside the unique ramen bun.
These brightly flavored, protein powered stuffed avocados make the perfect lunch or dinner - flavors of spring!
A whole food comfort food dinner everyone loves. Warm and satisfying, this is a perfect winter meal.
A warmly spiced and incredibly flavorful bowl of wholesome goodness! Follow this versatile basic recipe and customize the ingredients to your liking.
Air fried or oven baked, this is a sticky savory sweet favorite for any meal - with salad, sandwich or wrap.
about Kristina:
Kristina is spabettie! She found cooking at an early age, and created spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. Kristina turned her culinary training into sharing vibrant vegan food! Read more...
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Lynn says
Yes quinoa!! This may sound super weird, but I like cooked quinoa with a fried eggs (runny yolk) and wilted spinach all cut up together and then I add a tiny bit of Braggs and some nutritional yeast....it's my hippy breakfast! It reminds me of grits and eggs but way more nutritious!
Lynn says
Oh I have to dig up the quinoa granola I made before!
spabettie says
YEEESSS... find that, and then you can write a guest post for me! 😉 (or I can make a post about it, crediting you!) 😀
spabettie says
Lynn, that does not sound weird at all... you are doing to laugh, and I am NOT joking - - that is what I had for breakfast today!! 😀 I have been topping spinach with runny yolked eggs lately, the yolk makes EXCELLENT salad "dressing". today I added quinoa to the mix... it was SO good!
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says
I love quinoa- I keep mine in a tupper and like you, I always have to look up how to cook it. 🙂 I like it in stir fries and it's really good with grilled veggies (or chicken) over it. I also like to put the leftovers in salads- yum!
spabettie says
hi Betty! I recently made a (sort of) breakfast stir fry, with quinoa, scrambled egg, broccoli... oh it was SO good! I love quinoa in salads and bowls with beans and or veggies... I am HAPPY to see so many commenters who also cannot recall how to make it 😀
Shirley @ gfe says
I always have to look up proportions for quinoa, rice, etc. before cooking. But I do have my flourless PB cookie recipe memorized. 😉 I like quinoa best made with cilantro (vs minti) in a tabouli type dish. 🙂
xo,
Shirley
spabettie says
oh, Shirley, I LOVE this answer! 😀 I too have a recipe in my head for gf nut butter cookies... there are only 3 ingredients!! 4 if I add chocolate...
Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit says
I love quinoa but I like it mushy or added to another grain, like millet, buckwheat, rice... anything will do the trick. I never ever use the same ratios twice. I always just eyeball it and hope for the best.
spabettie says
yeah, I have done that too... if there is too much liquid after it is sufficiently cooked you CAN drain it like a pasta... 😀
[email protected] says
i love quinoa! i often have to google how to cook grains, too - unless it's one i use often. (like quinoa!) usually, though, i'll just assume it's a 1:2 ratio of grain to water and add more water if i need to 😛 maybe i should add that i'm also veeery impatient and almost always cook my grains at super high heat? lol.
spabettie says
I'm with ya on the impatience thang... 😉 and yeah, it does usually turn out, right? 😀
Lisa says
Quinoa and buckwheat tie for my grains (pseudograins!) of choice. I am from the town where one of the two largest buckwheat producers resides, so it's plentiful around there (free when I have a friend working at the mill!)...so I have to say buckwheat wins in my book, even though I love quinoa dearly.
spabettie says
oooh, how I would LOVE that kind of hookup! Bob's Red Mill is here locally, and I sometimes think I should apply for a job there... 😀
Zoe says
So THAT'S the secret to making great quinoa! I didn't know to rinse it before cooking, but I will be sure to try it next time 🙂
spabettie says
YES! 🙂 many people actually SOAK the quinoa, but I have had success with rinsing for a couple / few minutes. 😀
[email protected] says
LOVE quinoa!
And I've found my favorite way to cook it - the microwave!
I put 1 cup quinoa, 1.5 cups water/broth, and a pinch of salt in a VERY LARGE bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap, and microwave for 6-7 minutes. Let it sit in there for 1-2 minutes. Then turn the microwave back on for 1-2 minutes or until the water is absorbed.
Fluff. Eat!
It takes almost no time, and it's one less thing I really have to watch on the stovetop 🙂
Kath (My Funny Little Life) says
Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh, and I don't appreciate only because I do the same! It's just a coincidence I do! (gah gah)
spabettie says
nice! 😉
Kath (My Funny Little Life) says
I really appreciate your careful rinsing, glass container storing, and plastic boxing, though. It's so kind! I do the same. 🙂
spabettie says
yes! one of the reasons I love to buy bulk - less waste! (I had typed So Much Less Waste... then my brain almost exploded from the contradiction...)