Healthy and nutritious, this recipe for How to Cook Quinoa takes all the guesswork out for this easy to prepare ingredient. Use in salads, soups, casseroles, stuffings and much more!

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Quinoa Recipe
• What is Quinoa?
• 🛒 Ingredients for Making Quinoa
• 🔪 How to Make Quinoa
• How to Cook Quinoa in the Microwave
• 🍴 What to Serve with Quinoa
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 💡 Tips for Making Quinoa
• What Can I Add to Quinoa to Make it Taste Good?
• 🔄 Ways to Use Quinoa in Recipes
• What are the Health Benefits of Quinoa?
• Is Quinoa Gluten-Free?
• Can Quinoa Be Prepared in Advance?
• Do I Need to Rinse Quinoa Before Cooking?
• 🍽️ More Quinoa Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Quinoa Recipe

• Healthy and nutritious
• Fluffy texture
• Neutral flavor, like pasta, you can add the flavors of your choice
• Very easy to make
• Gluten-free

What is Quinoa?

Quinoa, pronounced keen-wah, is a nutrient-rich, high protein superfood containing complex carbohydrates.  It is known as the mother grain and is indigenous to the Andes mountain region of South America, specifically Bolivia, Chile and Peru where it has been cultivated for many years.

Quinoa is actually not a grain but rather a (grain-like) seed. It is not a cereal grain but is sometimes referred to as a psuedo-grain. It can be used in the same way as most grains.

Quinoa is available in black, red and white, and I typically use a combination of all three. According to this article, there are over 120 different varieties of quinoa!

Quinoa can also be ground to a flour and used in baking. Quinoa flakes have the same texture as rolled oats and can be prepared in the same way and substituted for oats in some recipes.

🛒 Ingredients for Making Quinoa

• quinoa
• water or broth
• salt

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Saucepan
• Fine mesh sieve

🔪 How to Make Quinoa

Add the water to a saucepan and bring it to a boil.

Take the quinoa and rinse it under cold water for a few minutes. You’re rinsing off the saponin, which takes the bitterness out of the quinoa. Then pour it into boiling water and add the salt. 

Turn the heat down to a simmer and cover. Cook for about 15 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed and is cooked through. You’ll know it’s done when the germ has separated from the seed.

Remove it from the heat and let it sit for 10 minutes, covered, while you prepare the dressing and other ingredients.

Remove the lid from the saucepan and fluff it up using a fork. Transfer the quinoa to a large serving bowl.

How to Cook Quinoa in the Microwave

Add the thoroughly rinsed and drained quinoa to a microwave-safe bowl, then pour the water over the top (same measurements as listed above). Cover with a plate that is slightly larger than the bowl and cook for 10 minutes on high, carefully removing and stirring halfway through.

Remove once you see it is almost completely cooked through and much of the quinoa has popped open, cover it with the same plate and leave it sit at room temperature on the counter for another 5-7 minutes.

🍴 What to Serve with Quinoa

Quinoa is such a versatile side, that you can pair it with just about any protein. Here are some of my favorites:

• Air Fryer Pork Chops
• Pesto Salmon
• Sheet Pan Shrimp
• Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

☑️ Storage Instructions

Store cooked quinoa in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. Uncooked quinoa can be stored in your pantry for 2-3 years from the production date.

💡 Tips for Making Quinoa

• Don’t skip the rinsing: Quinoa has a natural coating called saponin that has a very bitter flavor.  It’s a protective coating that is meant to keep pests and fungus away, but certainly not something that you’ll want to flavor your dish! So take your time and give it a very thorough rinse.
• Don’t rush the process: the last step before fluffing with a fork, is to allow the quinoa to steam off the heat, with the lid on.  This is to gently continue the cooking process, similar to making couscous, but allows time for the quinoa to finish popping open. If you skip this step, the quinoa will be on the firm side and not as fluffy.
• Be sure to fluff: fluffing the cooked quinoa with a fork helps to gently separate the seeds, so there is no clumping.  This is just another step that makes quinoa more pleasant to eat.
• Don’t be afraid to add flavor:  since quinoa has a fairly neutral flavor, using herbs, spices or broth can help give it more flavor. 

What Can I Add to Quinoa to Make it Taste Good?

• As I mentioned earlier, cooking the quinoa in broth can give it more flavor, so beef broth, chicken broth or vegetable broth will help.
• Also adding herbs like rosemary, thyme, basil and even cilantro can also add a lot more flavor.
• Adding spices or a blend of spices can really ramp up the flavors as well.
• What is most common, that I typically do myself, is add ingredients after the quinoa has been cooked. Adding fresh vegetables, beans, legumes and even fruit like I did in my Best Quinoa Salad and Greek Quinoa Salad takes ordinary quinoa and really turns it into something special.

🔄 Ways to Use Quinoa in Recipes

• Enjoy as a simple side dish with some fresh herbs, salt, pepper and butter
• Use it in place of pasta in pasta salads
• Add it in casseroles, soups, stews and chilli to add nutrition and bulk
• Use as a substitute for other grains like rice
• Combine with other ingredients to as a stuffing
• Use as a substitute for oats in oatmeal
• Grind it to a flour and use it in baking

What are the Health Benefits of Quinoa?

Quinoa happens to be absolutely loaded with vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy superfood. According to this article on Healthline, quinoa contains considerable amounts of folate, magnesium, zinc and iron.

It's also rich in fiber and protein, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. I encourage you to read the article I've listed above to really gain more insight into this amazing little seed!

Is Quinoa Gluten-Free?

Yes, quinoa is naturally gluten-free and a great alternative to gluten-containing grains.

Quinoa can also be added to a slow cooker when making soups, casseroles, stews, etc. Just make sure you add enough liquid when adding the Quinoa halfway into the total cooking time.

Can Quinoa Be Prepared in Advance?

Yes, very much so. You can cook up a batch to use in various dishes throughout the week. It is very versatile and can be incorporated into just about any meal.

Do I Need to Rinse Quinoa Before Cooking?

Yes, always rinse Quinoa in a fine mesh sieve under running water for several minutes. As I mentioned earlier, you'll want to rinse of the bitter saponin coating because cooking it.

🍽️ More Quinoa Recipes

• Best Quinoa Salad
• Greek Quinoa Salad
• Quinoa Lentil Burgers
• Roasted Salmon Jewelled Rice and Quinoa Summer Salad
• Sweet Potato Quinoa Hummus
• Quinoa Cookie Cakes
• Vegan Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes