Salsa Verde Quinoa is a simple quinoa recipe to make.  Quinoa is simmered in vegetable broth and salsa verde (or green salsa) with onion and garlic, then garnished with fresh cilantro. It has a slightly spicy flavor that makes a nice side to serve with tacos and enchiladas, or grilled chicken and fish.  

pot of quinoa with cilantro

This quinoa  recipe is made with just 6 ingredients and comes together in about 30 minutes start-to-finish.  

glass cups with quinoa, onion, vegetable broth and salsa verde

This one pot easy-to-make Salsa Verde Quinoa has been a favorite flavored  quinoa for me for years.

What is Salsa Verde

Salsa verde is a healthy green salsa made with onion, garlic, chili (serrano or jalapeno) cilantro and tomatillos (also called green tomatoes).  Not a fan of salsa verde?  Just swap out the salsa verde for your favorite red salsa recipe.

Simple Quinoa Recipe

This quinoa side dish recipe uses basic ingredients that you may already have stocked in your pantry.

  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Quinoa 
  • Vegetable broth
  • Salsa verde (I use Herdez green salsa)
  • Onion 
  • Garlic
  • Cilantro

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to Cook Salsa Verde Quinoa

This is one of the easiest cooked quinoa recipes you’ll ever make.  I use bottled salsa verde or green salsa for this recipe (for convenience), but you could use homemade salsa verde as well.  

  1. Saute onion and garlic.

pan with sauteed onion and garlic

2. Pour in salsa verde and vegetable broth.

pan with onion and garlic simmering in vegetable broth

3.  Stir in quinoa and simmer with the lid on until the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is cooked. 

pan with sauteed onion, garlic and quinoa simmering in vegetable broth

4.  Let quinoa cool for 5 minutes or so before fluffing with a fork.

white pot filled with cooked quinoa

5.  Toss with chopped fresh cilantro.

white pot filled with cooked quinoa fluffed with chopped cilantro

Serving Suggestions

Storage Tips

  • Storage:  Place leftover quinoa in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator. 
  • Reheat:  You can easily reheat leftovers in a skillet over low heat.  Add a few tablespoons of water, broth or more salsa to keep it moist and from sticking to the pan.

Looking for More Vegan Quinoa Recipes to Make?

Salsa Verde Quinoa
Yield: 6-8 servings

Salsa Verde Quinoa

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Salsa Verde Quinoa is a quick and easy side dish to make.  Quinoa is simmered in vegetable broth and salsa verde with onion and garlic then garnish with fresh cilantro. It has a slightly spicy flavor that makes a nice side to serve with tacos and enchiladas or grilled chicken and fish.  

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 scallions, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-1/4 cup vegetable broth
  • 3/4 cup salsa verde or green salsa
  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
  2. Add onion and saute for 1 minute.
  3. Stir in garlic and continue to saute for another minute.
  4. Pour in vegetable broth and salsa verde, bring to a boil.
  5. Stir in quinoa and reduce heat.
  6. Place lid on saucepan and simmer on low for 20 minutes.
  7. Remove saucepan from heat and set aside to cool before fluffing.
  8. Add cilantro to pan and fluff quinoa with fork.

Notes

HOW TO SERVE THIS SALSA VERDE QUINOA

STORAGE TIPS

  • Storage:  Place leftover quinoa in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator. 
  • Reheat:  You can easily reheat leftovers in a skillet over low heat.  Add a few tablespoons of water, broth or more salsa verde to keep it moist and from sticking to the pan.