How to Make Quinoa

Learn How to Make Quinoa perfect every time with this simple recipe. Once you learn how to cook quinoa on the stove top (it’s so easy), you’ll be ready to make the 20 quinoa recipes that I’ve linked below for you.

Knowing how to cook quinoa on the stove top so it turns out perfectly fluffy every time is key to making great recipes for salads, sides, bowls and more. 

What Is Quinoa?

Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is a gluten-free seed that’s high in plant protein and rich with all nine essential amino acids, and it’s considered an “ancient grain”.  Ancient grains include a variety of wheat (spelt, Kamut, freekeh, bulgur, farro, and grains such as millet, barley, oats, teff  and soghum, as well as pseudocereals (which are seeds that are consumed like grains) such as quinoa, armaranth, buckwheat and chia.  They tend to be more nutritious and provide more vitamins, minerals and fiber than the more common grains like corn, rice and wheat. (1)  

Types Of Quinoa

• White – Light a fluffy and mild in flavor. This is the variety that’s most commonly used to replace rice and other grains in your daily wellness plan.
• Red – A little more crunchy with a nuttier flavor. This variety is good to use in nourishment bowls and tossed into salads.
• Black – Similar to the red variety, so it’s more crunchy with a nuttier flavor. Also good to use in nourishment bowls and to toss into salads.
• Tri-Color – This is a blend of white, red and black quinoa. It also has a nuttier flavor and it’s a little more crunchy because of the red and black variety.

How to Cook Quinoa On Stove

Cooking quinoa is similar to cooking rice. The ratio we use is 1 cup quinoa (rinsed unless package says it’s already pre-rinsed) and 2 cups water (you can use vegetable broth or chicken broth if you want to add more flavor).

1. Rinse. Rinse under cold water if the package doesn’t state that it has already been rinsed.
2. Cook. Add it to a saucepan and pour water or broth over it and stir.Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover with lid and simmer 15-17 minutes.  Don’t remove the lid.
3. Remove from heat. As soon as the water is absorbed, remove from heat and set the cooked quinoa aside for 8-10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

Tips for Making Perfect Fluffy Quinoa

• Rinsing quinoa before cooking it will help remove the natural coating called saponin which makes it taste bitter and can cause foam. And it will also make the texture softer.
• Be sure to set aside for 8-10 minutes after cooking before you fluff with a fork.

Do You Have To Rinse Quinoa Before Cooking?

Quinoa has a natural coating that contains saponins, tannins and phytic acid which can makes it taste bitter and causes it to foam when boiling in liquid. This coating can also bind with certain nutrients like magnesium and iron which reduces their absorption in our body. Rinsing, soaking or sprouting quinoa prior to cooking will make the texture softer and it reduces the coating and makes minerals more easily to absorb. There are brands of packaged quinoa that have already been rinsed and it states so on the front of the package. 

How Do You Rinse Quinoa?

To rinse quinoa, measure out the amount of quinoa that you will be cooking and pour it into a fine mesh sieve or colander. Rinse under cold water for about 30 seconds. Drain well before cooking. 

20 Quinoa Recipes

So now that you know how to cook quinoa, here are 20 easy quinoa recipes to make using this nutritional powerhouse.

Salads

1. Best Quinoa Salad. This is a recipe to make when you’re craving a big bowl of healthy! It has a great assortment of ingredients like broccoli, brussels sprouts, carrots , celery, cucumber and pistachios.
2. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad. This salad is a crowd-pleaser!  It’s loaded with cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, red peppers, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives and plenty of fresh basil.  It makes a delicious salad main or side to serve at barbecues and potlucks.  
3. Southwest Quinoa Salad. This salad is crowded with shredded chicken, grilled corn, black beans, avocado, tomatoes, orange bell pepper, green onion, tortilla chips, toasted pecans and it’s all tossed in an incredible BBQ dressing.  
4. Mexican Quinoa Salad. This is a delicious mix of cucumber, arugula, red pepper, pico de gallo, toasted nuts and lots of fresh cilantro all tossed in a light lemon vinaigrette.
5. Kale Quinoa Salad. This is my “house salad”.  I love everything about this salad.  It’s fresh and flavorful and can be served as a starter, but honestly, it’s substantial and filling enough that it makes a great salad main.  
6. Beet Quinoa Salad. This salad has a really great combo of nutritious ingredients – beets, arugula, green onion, raisins and sliced almonds all tossed in a delicious light curry salad dressing. 
7. Spinach Quinoa Salad. This is another personal favorite that I make all the time.  I love the mix of spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and almonds all tossed in a light basil pesto dressing. So good!

Sides

1. Spanish Quinoa  – This has all the delicious flavors of  Spanish rice.  It’s perfect to serve as a side with any Mexican themed meal you serve.  I make this recipe all the time. I even love it served for breakfast with fried eggs!   
2. Lemony Quinoa with Turmeric – This is deliciously seasoned with curry, turmeric and cumin.
3. Cilantro Lime Quinoa – Simmered in chicken broth with caramelized onion and garlic.  After it has cooked, it’s then tossed with fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro.  It’s perfect to serve with grilled vegetables, chicken, fish or your favorite Mexican dish.  
4. Pineapple Coconut Quinoa – Tropical tasting – simmered in coconut milk and pineapple juice.  Serve it plain (it’s delicious on its own) or toss in chunks of juicy ripe mango, some cilantro and red onion to make it extra special.
5. Greek Chicken Bowl. This Greek chicken bowl is a delicious mix of marinated chicken, tabbouleh, kale, garbanzo beans, pickled onions, kalamata olives and feta cheese.
6. Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowl. This burrito bowl  is a mix of chicken, black beans, onions and tomatoes.
7. Taco Salad Bowl. This taco bowl is a delicious mix of grilled chicken, black beans, pico de gallo and cilantro.
8. Chicken Burrito Bowl. This burrito bowl is a mix of chicken, black beans, onions and tomatoes.

How to Add More Quinoa To Your Diet

1. Salads. Keep a bowl or a jar of cooked quinoa in your refrigerator so you can easily toss it by the spoonfuls into green salads.
2. Breakfast Cereal. You can cook it with oatmeal for a heart healthy breakfast cereal.
3. Vegan Burgers. It’s great mixed with legumes (black beans, lentils or chickpeas) to make vegan burgers.
4. Soups. Add it to soup instead of using rice or noodles for a more nutritious add-in.
5. Healthy Snacks and Baking. Use cooked quinoa, quinoa flakes and flour for baking with making healthy power bites and peanut butter cups.

More Cooking Resources

• How to Poach Chicken
• How to Make Tortilla Strips
• How Many Cups in a Quart
• How Many Tablespoons in a Cup
• How to Make Bouquet Garni
• How to Cook Pinto Beans
• How to Cook Chickpeas
• How to Cook Black Beans
• How to Cook Lentils
• How to Bake Sweet Potatoes

Originally published August 15, 2022