Quinoa is an edible seed that is cooked similarly to rice, simmered in broth or water, until it transforms into a fluffy grain that’s perfect for bowls, salads, and more! Quinoa is incredibly nutrient-packed, boasting fiber, protein, and antioxidants, and can be eaten hot or cold. It has a mild nutty flavor, a little bit of chew, and works well in a variety of meals in the kitchen. Here’s how you cook it!
Are there different colors or varieties of quinoa?
The most common variety of quinoa is white. It has the most mild flavor and also the fluffiest texture. There are also red and black varieties. Both of these tend to have a slightly stronger flavor and a little bit more chew.
What are the health benefits of quinoa?
It has a mild, nutty flavor and it’s very good for you! Quinoa has a higher protein content than any other grain, and it’s complete protein, meaning that it provides 9 essential amino acids. It’s also rich in fiber, and low on the glycemic index. It’s especially great for those who eat gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian diets because it is such a great source of nutrients, including both calcium, iron, and protein.
Where I can I buy quinoa?
As quinoa is becoming more and more popular, it is fairly easy to find it in a normal grocery store. It’s stocked near the dry rice and couscous. Also, check stores that carry grain in bulk. I buy quinoa from a bulk bin where I get a much better price than from a box. You can also find large bags in most Costco stores.
How do I cook quinoa?
It’s cooked much like rice. It can also be cooked in a rice cooker, but I use the stove top method most often.
- Soak: Most boxed varieties of quinoa come “pre-rinsed” but I always rinse mine regardless. It helps remove any lingering saponins (a coating the grains have in their natural state that can make the finished product a little bitter if not rinsed off) and it helps soften the outer shell and also remove any dust particles.
- Drain the quinoa to remove water from soaking and place grains in a small pot with a lid. Make sure your pot is large enough for the amount to triple in volume. Remember the basic ratio for quinoa is 1 part dry quinoa to 2 parts water or broth and it will yield triple the amount.
- Cook the quinoa by simmering for about 15 15 minutes or until all the water is used up. Remove pan from heat. I let mine sit on the stovetop (off of the heating element) for 5-10 minutes before taking the lid off.
- Fluff the quinoa and eat.
How to use quinoa
Quinoa can be used in a variety of ways. Try it as a substitute for rice, couscous, or orzo in recipes you already make! Here’s a few to try:
Coconut Almond Breakfast Quinoa
Roasted Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad
Black Bean and Mango Quinoa Salad
How to Cook Quinoa
Ingredients
- 2/3 C dry quinoa
- 1 1/3 cups water or broth chicken, vegetable, or beef
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Place quinoa in a bowl and cover with 1 inch of water. Gently stir and carefully pour out excess water. Add water again until it covers quinoa by 1 inch. Let sit for 5 minutes. Drain.
- Place rinsed and drained quinoa in a pot with 1 1/3 cups water or broth, and pinch of salt, and bring to a simmer on the stovetop. Place tight-fitting lid on pot and simmer for about 15 minutes, until all the water is evaporated. Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes. Fluff with fork.
Questions & Reviews
That was a great article thank you for that information.
Just wanted to say thanks for the directions! I made quinoa tonight with Glazed Pork Chops with Apricot Ginger Sauce from the cookbook. Both of my picky kids loved the pork chops! Keep up the good work!
Oh! This was a perfect side for tonight’s grilled chicken. Only I didn’t have most of the ingredients, but with your recipe as inspiration, I totally winged it! I used quinoa, corn, a peach, tomato, fresh chives, a few cilantro leaves, and a drizzle of pomegranate balsamic vinegar and eureka lemon olive oil (from allspiceonline.com). Delicious!! Thanks!
I love those fonts, especially yours! It works great for the things I’m typing up for Girl’s Camp.
The reason your blog is amazing, and that I’m always confident serving your recipes to my family, is that you use REAL food. “Diet” food that comes in a box or can with a million preservatives is *not* food that I want to raise my kids eating! Thanks for ALL you do to help me teach my family that balance should start with home-cooked food!
I tried to cook quinoa once and it was such a pain. I was watching Melissa d’Arabian on the Food Network and she microwaves it. I’m excited to try it that way. (She rinses 1/2 c. quinoa really well and then puts it in a microwaveable bowl. She adds 1 1/4 c. water and covers it. She microwaves it on high for 9 minutes and lets it sit for 2 minutes before stirring).
I read in a magazine that you can cook it with orange juice too-then add some craisins and walnuts for a yummy breakfast. I haven’t tried that yet, but it sounds awesome!
I bought a great quinoa cookbook at Costco last year and it has FANTASTIC recipes for quinoa. One of my faves is a recipe for apple streudal quinoa that uses dried apple slices (think those huge cans from the church cannery) and toasted almonds, cinnamon and nutmeg and brown sugar. It is the yummiest and most filling breakfast! We also eat it in place of couscous and make salads out of it, etc. So good for you!
Looking forward to your recipe …..
My favorite way to eat quinoa is with Heavy Cream (or half and half if you want to be healthier) and brown sugar for breakfast! Oh so delicious!!! Add some berries if you want but I like it plain 🙂
I am so glad you posted this recipe my husband bought some of this in the bulk food items section and said we should try and replace all of our rice recipes with it. Lack of instruction made it a little difficult. I looked on food network for help but all of the recipes that I saw had it all cooked up.
Thanks for all your hard work.
My plan for work lunches this week is to make a big quinoa & veggie salad. Timely post! By the way, you can also find black quinoa at some specialty stores. Same flavor as regular, but the color is striking on the plate!
To the people who said they’ve tried quinoa and it’s tasted funny – rinse it really well. One quick rinse is not enough. Soak for a few minutes and then rinse 2-3 times to make sure that coating is completely rinsed off or it will taste bitter and almost chemically.
I recently went to Mexico and at the resort I stayed at they had a smoothie bar for breakfast and they had a bowl full of something that looked just like this that could be added to your smoothie. I hadn’t ever heard of it so can’t remember if he called it quinoa. Do you think it would have been this stuff?? I know he said it was very good for you. I would think you could put it in a smoothie if it could be eaten like oatmeal?
Ohhhhhh Quinoa. So delicious! I love your site and cookbook.
We make a quinoa porridge for breakfast that it’s to die for. Would love to share the recipe if you are interested.
Easiest breakfast, or lunch or dinner for that matter and like you said full of nutrition.
Thanks for an awesome blog!
I love quinoa..so delish and versatile!
I LOVE quinoa!!! I have 8 month old twins, and I just started making it for them!!!
I just started cooking with quinoa a few months ago and I LOVE it! It has nearly replaced rice in our house! 🙂
P.S. I make is using the pineapple rice on your blog which makes it a little more fun sometime!
Thanks for the info on quinoa. I had bought some and wasn’t really happy with the taste because it was a little bitter. I will have to try this again and try to soak it first. Thanks!!
I love this site, and I LOVE that your site has an “everything in moderation” feel to it:) Can’t wait to try your Old Fashioned Cake and Frosting Recipe, I will have a slice of that after a healthy helping of quinoa:)!!!
Lol…too funny! I just bought some yesterday and was going to research how to cook it. Great minds right? Anyway, I bought it at sunflower market in Utah and it’s on sale this week for $2.99/lb but only for the white. They do carry the red though. I wonder if it tastes any different. Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Just bought quinoa for the first time today – and came home to find this post! Thanks for the tips!
I love quinoa! I use it most often in pancakes! So good–perfect little crunch, plus a nice extra bit of protien. (Recipe is on my blog if you’re interested).
I just bought your book, but have just thumbed through it. Didn’t know about your website though. It has been fun taking a few minutes surfing, but got side tracked on the handwriting fonts!
Too bad my computer at home (is at the repair guy’s house) is a mess, cause I’d love to go come and use some of those awesome fonts on some scrapbooking.
Can’t scrapbook, but maybe I can do some cooking. Thank you for the recipes!
Kate
I have tried quinoa several times and it always gives me a stomach ache. Do you know of any solutions?? Very sad not to be able to enjoy this yummy grain!
This is a really healthy grain–thanks for posting. I also like the red kind–nuttier flavor and you don’t have to rinse it either.
I actually just substituted quinoa instead of rice in your southwest stuffed bell peppers recipe last week. Fabulous! I would love to see more recipes using quinoa.
I love quinoa with black beans and savory garlic dressing. Or just with honey drizzled over it. Looking forward to your next recipe!
I LOVE Quinoa!! A friend of mine adds cooked quinoa to her smoothie in the morning to make it more filling. I tried it and it adds a bit of texture but doesn’t really change the flavor.
I usually just use it in place of rice.
I am dying to try quinoa, so thanks for this easy recipe! I’m particularly interested in using it for stuffed peppers, along with veggies and beef… mmm! So many possibilities. Thanks for inspiring me with something new. Have a great weekend! 🙂
We sprinkle some feta cheese on top of quinoa at our house. So tasty!
Mmm, so good! In sweden we also have black quinoa, which is even better! both kinds soaks up all kinds of flavours so cooking it in broth or such makes it really nice. Just a tip!