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.
More Healthy Savory Recipes
Or this Cauliflower Pizza Crust
I love quinoa. My favorite way to eat it is stir fried with shrimp, veggies, and Asian flavors like soy and teryaki. Your pics look fabulous, thanks for sharing your tips!
I do like quinoa; I don’t buy it too often but always enjoy it when I do. My favorite way to use it — and other grains — is by making the grain the base for a salad.
Does anyone have the recipe for energy bars with quinoa, flaxseed, and sunflowerseeds with peanut butter and honey?
I love quinoa… but I like it prepared some ways much better than others. My favorite are the sweet recipes, like with raisins & cinnamon cereal or quinoa pancakes, but I also like a Mexican flavored recipe with beans & salsa… I’m looking forward to your future recipes. =)
I only eat small amounts of quinoa at a time (1/8 cup dry) so I microwave it with 3 times the amount of water for 10 minutes.
@ Rebecca – I don’t know if you will see this, but thank you for sharing this tip. This is exactly what I was looking for. I can take this with me to work on days I haven’t had time to pack a good lunch. And if I used sprouted quinoa, I won’t even have to rinse it.
Quinoa is the BEST! I never rinse mine though. I know they say you should, but I’ve never understood why. 🙂
The reason you are supposed to rinse it is because it had a soap-like residue (saponins) on the outside of it. Try saving the water after you rinse it–it’s fascinating! You can put it in a container, shake it, and see the suds start to build up.
You should rinse the quinoa first because the outside is layered with an unhealthy substance that prevents absorption of the great nutrients you want to get from eating the quinoa in the first place! it’s also not good to ingest it in general, so you want to always rinse that off first.
I love quinoa! I love it as replacement for rice 🙂 and will there be a quinoa pizza crust?? Just outta curiosity 🙂
Oh yes – we also do a quinoa patty (side dish) that we really enjoy. I don’t think it is intended as a side dish, but we don’t use it as a “burger”: http://eatingwelllivingthin.wordpress.com/2010/11/01/love-my-quinoa-burger/
I do like it, my favorite is with Moroccan chickpea stew. I used to serve it with cous cous but switched to quinoa to make it even more healthy. I also use vegetable broth instead of water to make it a little more flavorful.
I like quinoa and I can cook it .. it’s just flavoring is that perplexes me at times.
Monica.
I love quinoa! I do need help when cooking it, however. Thanks for the tips!