There was a time when I thought I hated quinoa; that its chewy and almost-crunchy texture just wasn’t for me. Over the years, however, I’ve experimented to find the perfect quinoa-to-water ratio and cooking time for the foolproof method of how to cook quinoa that actually turns out soft and fluffy every single time.
If you like pillow soft quinoa, this quinoa recipe is for you!
Table of Contents
Yes, today’s how to cook quinoa recipe might not be the most interesting recipe ever posted… but it’s the base for a few other more exciting recipes I hope to post soon: breakfast quinoa, quinoa chocolate chip cookies, and quinoa pancakes.
EDIT: The Breakfast Quinoa and Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies are now both up on the blog!
This basic quinoa recipe can be eaten on its own as a simple side dish, or spice it up by stirring in a little garlic powder and oregano, tossing it into a stir fry, adding a spoonful of tahini or some tomato sauce. Let your imagination run wild.
You can even use it for my favorite Quinoa Pizza Bites!
Do you have any favorite quinoa recipes? I still have a ton more quinoa recipes that I still need to publish on the blog, so be on the lookout for more healthy quinoa recipes to be posted in the near future.
Also, in your comments please feel free to leave links to your own favorite quinoa recipes if you wish.
How To Cook Quinoa
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw quinoa (80g)
- 1/4 tsp salt – optional
- 1 2/3 cup water
- optional 2 tsp oil
Instructions
- How to cook quinoa: In a strainer, rinse quinoa and drain. Bring a small pot with the 1 2/3 cup water to a boil, then add the quinoa and all optional ingredients. Lower the heat to the lowest simmer, and cover. Simmer for 40 minutes, covered, then do not open the lid but turn off the heat completely. Let sit an additional 20 minutes, covered. After this time, the quinoa should be light and fluffy. If it's still too liquidy for some reason, simply turn the heat back on and stir for a few minutes until fluffy.NOTE: When found in nature, quinoa has a coating of bitter-tasting saponins. These occur naturally in the quinoa to prevent insects from eating the plant. Most packaged quinoa will be pre-washed; however it is always a good idea to wash the quinoa again just in case.View Quinoa Nutrition Facts
Notes
Edit: How To Make Quinoa – The Quick Way!
- 1 cup raw quinoa (160g)
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 cups water
Instructions: In a strainer, rinse quinoa well. Drain. Now combine the raw quinoa with the other ingredients and bring to a boil uncovered. When it starts to boil, cover and simmer (or cook on low if your “simmer” is too gentle like mine is) 20 minutes or until the water is absorbed and quinoa is light and fluffy.
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I try cooking it ratio 2 water :1quinoa and it comes out too mushy. What am I doing wrong? Same thing: bring to boil, simmer on low 20 minutes. …….. mush. Ugh!
This is simple and helpful. Thank you!
Is there a recipe or way to cook quinoa in the microwave?
First of all cooking in a microwave is not a good idea.
Second, years of comments just appeared, there were 4 when I posted.
Third, I am a novice cook with this kind of stuff, I cook best with olive oil.
I used 1 cup quinoa and 2.5 cups of water, small coffee cup. I washed it for 4 minutes. I dumped it in the water and then turned the heat on Uncovered!! Then when it boiled I put the top on and left it on the lowest heat I can do with gas. That’s what I think simmer means. Then after 17 minutes, it was fluffy and light and no water. I think the problem is what does simmer mean.
I just cooked my first batch. I’m a guy so I didn’t have a cup measurement. I just used a small coffee cup. Just 2 minutes ago I took the top off and it was fluffy and no water. 17 minutes was perfect. I used garlic salt that I grind. My cute mom left and note on what she gave me and it said ‘wash’ 3 times. What’s odd is the pot she gave me with a top I realized what she used when we were young almost 50 years ago. That’s just the strangest feeling to have that old of a memory. I remember clearly the tops bouncing as something was boiling. I could go on but I had some kind of quinoa ‘experience’. Thanks so much!
SunOrganic Farm sells pre-rinsed Organic Quinoa delivered to your door. For those with sensitivities it is recommended that it be rinsed again. Try it…www.SunOrganic.com
I like to cook Quinoa with homemade chicken stock instead of water. I take a roasted chicken and cook it to make my stock. Needs no other ingredients.
Quinoa is delicious, healthy and easy to cook.
I just tried your way of cooking quinoa and I loved it! only thing I did was add a tiny bit of olive oil to the water. I had never really tried quinoa but I’m so glad I did. Thanks Katie!
Quinoa makes a great tabouli, just use it instead of the bulgar wheat
Thank you Katie, for letting us all know how to make this new grain. I know it is good for you, but I had given up trying to make it. You convinced me to try again, and I ma glad I did.