Learn how to cook fluffy, perfectly cooked quinoa every time with my chef’s perfected recipe! Then, use it in dinner recipes, bowls, salads, or one of our 25 quinoa recipes below!
As a chef, one of my go-to pantry staples is quinoa, a mighty little whole grain (technically it’s a seed rather than a grain) packed full of nutrients. It hails from South America, is gluten-free, and is high in protein. Cooking quinoa is easier than you think: see my chef’s tips and the recipe card below!
Why You’ll Love this Quinoa Recipe
- Quick and easy to cook—quinoa cooks in 15-20 minutes, half the time of rice! Boil it in water or broth with salt, spices, and a splash of olive oil.
- Healthy—it’s gluten-free (technically a seed rather than a grain) and packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein; it’s a complete protein with all the essential amino acids.
- Versatile– use quinoa as a base for bowls, toss it into a salad, wrap it into a burrito, or serve as a side dish -use a substitute for rice or other whole grains.
- Great for meal prep- cooked quinoa will keep 4-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge, or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
How to cook Quinoa (Like a pro!)
Learn how to cook fluffy, perfectly seasoned quinoa every time with my “chef’s perfected” method, which includes perfect water ratios.
How to Cook Fluffy Quinoa
An easy recipe for perfectly cooked quinoa with lemon, shallot and herbs- a basic recipe that is delicious as a side dish or use in salads and wraps.
Salad Recipes with Quinoa
Cooked quinoa can be used in so many ways- but perhaps our favorite use for quinoa is in salads. Here is a selection of quinoa salads that are healthy and delicious! Great for healthy midweek meals!
Thai Quinoa Lentil Salad
This bright and cheery Lentil Quinoa Salad is packed with Thai flavor! Crunchy veggies and fragrant herbs in a tangy Thai Dressing. Vegan & gluten-free.
Quinoa Chickpea Salad
This Middle Eastern-inspired Quinoa Salad is made with chickpeas, cucumber, tomato, kalamata olives, dill, parsley, and a preserved lemon dressing. My personal favorite!
Southwest Quinoa Salad
This quinoa salad recipe gets a southwest spin! Made with white quinoa, blackbeans, corn, tomatoes, scallions, cilantro, lime, and avocado- it packs a surprising punch of flavor!
Strawberry Quinoa Salad
A refreshing spring salad featuring seasonal strawberries, quinoa, parsley, mint and cucumbers with optional slivered almonds or pistachios. Delicious!
Holiday Crunch Salad
Bursting with flavor this salad is delicious any time of year. Made with quinoa, pomegranate seeds, avocado, toasted almonds, and fresh parsley, it’s a full of great texture and flavor.
Spring Quinoa Tabouli
This Quinoa Salad features asparagus, English peas, fresh dill, parsley, and toasted almonds tossed in a lemony dressing that mimics the flavors of tabouli.
Winter Quinoa Salad
This Quinoa Salad with kale, chickpeas and apples is like happiness in a bowl. A vegan salad, packed full of protein, nutrients and flavor.
Quinoa Chicken Salad
This quinoa chicken salad is hearty and flavorful and perfect for midweek lunches. Made with chicken breast, tomatoes, chickpeas, arugula, mini mozzarella, and fresh herbs, tossed with a lemon dressing.
Moroccan Quinoa Salad
A delicious Moroccan Quinoa Salad with oranges, almonds, olives, mint, and a tangy, bright citrus dressing. Use blood oranges when in season for a festive presentation.
Carrot Quinoa Salad
Crunchy nutty red quinoa salad with carrots, almonds, cilantro, and microgreens tossed in an apple cider vinaigrette. Vegan.
Quinoa Recipe Tips
You may be wondering why restaurant quinoa seems to taste better than homemade. Here are a few tips to “up” your quinoa game.
- Always Rinse. Quinoa seeds protect themselves from critters by creating their own naturally occurring “pesticide” called saponins. While this is not harmful to humans, saponins have a very bitter taste, so be sure to rinse the quinoa before cooking.
- The ratio debate. Quinoa package directions often call for 2 parts liquid to 1 part quinoa. Here’s a pro tip: I’ve found that when cooking pre-rinsed quinoa, the ratio of 1.75 parts water to 1 part quinoa is perfect.
- Season. Quinoa always tastes better with salt, aromatics (garlic, shallot, or onion), spices, and/or herbs. Doctor it up. 🙂
- Branch out! Quinoa comes in various colors (and textures). White is the most common, but other options include red quinoa, black quinoa, or a mix of all three called tricolor quinoa. While black and red offer great texture, white is the softest and fluffiest.
Quinoa Dishes for Dinner
Quinoa is hearty and satisfying because it contains so much protein. We love it in dinner recipes and here are some of our favorite ways to incorporate it into meals.
Quinoa Chickpea Burger
This veggie burger recipe is made with quinoa, chickpeas and vegetables. Full of savory flavor with incredible texture, this recipe is perfect for meal prep!
Chicken Quinoa Salad
This hearty quinoa salad with chicken, avocado, and arugula, is dinner-worthy! Tossed with a creamy basil dressing you’ll want to drink. Sub Crispy tofu for the chicken.
Peruvian Burritos with Aji Verde Sauce
These flavorful Peruvian-inspired burritos are made with quinoa, roasted sweet potato, fresh corn, peppers, black beans and a spicy, vegan Peruvian green sauce. Vegan and delicious!
Quinoa Stuffed Poblano Peppers
An Oaxacan-inspired recipe for poblano peppers stuffed with black beans, quinoa, and optional goat cheese, slathered in a rich mole negro sauce. Vegan-adaptable.
Quinoa Cakes
Delicious quinoa cakes topped with a fresh tomato chickpea relish- a delicious, healthy, flavorful plant-based vegan dinner that is gluten-free.
Baked Quinoa
A tasty oven-baked quinoa recipe with corn and zucchini and feta cheese with fresh tomato relish.
Stuffed Peppers with Quinoa & Chickpeas
Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers with quinoa, eggplant and chickpeas, drizzled with zhoug yogurt.
Lentil Quinoa Soup
This Moroccan Red Lentil Quinoa Soup is easy to make, full of delicious flavor, and made with simple ingredients. It can be made in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop.
Broccoli Quinoa Cakes
These vegetarian Broccoli Quinoa Cakes can be made in 30 minutes & are a delicious healthy meal that your whole family will love!
Best Quinoa Recipes for Bowls
Mediterranean Grilled Salmon Bowls!
Quinoa is the healthy base for this grilled salmon and veggie bowl. A healthy flavorful Mediterranean-inspired dinner, perfect for summer!
Quinoa Breakfast Bowls
Why not have quinoa for breakfast? Whether you like savory or sweet, vegan or eggs, these quinoa breakfast bowls are nourishing and protein-packed.
Beet Bliss Quinoa Bowl
Brighten up your day with this Beet Bliss Quinoa Bowl! Quinoa is cooked with beets and chickpeas, then topped with avocado and microgreens for a simple, hearty meal.
Quinoa Salad Topper!
Crunchy Quinoa Salad Topper
This quinoa salad topper is an easy and delicious way to add a tasty crunch to salads, soups & bowls. Made with toasted quinoa and seeds.
25+ Healthy Delicious Quinoa Recipes
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2-4
- Category: side dish
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Learn how to cook fluffy, perfectly cooked quinoa every time with my chef’s perfected recipe below! Then, use it for dinner recipes, bowls, salads, or one of our 25 quinoa recipes above: How to make perfectly fluffy quinoa every time.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed well, and drained (rinsing removes bitterness)
- 1 3/4 cups water or broth
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Rinse the quinoa well under running water and strain well using a fine mesh strainer.
- Place in a medium pot with the water or broth. Stir in the salt and olive oil.
- Bring to a rolling boil. Cover tightly.
- Lower heat to a gentle simmer ( low or medium low heat) and cook til all the water is gone, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let stand 5-10 minutes.
- Fluff with fork.
Notes
Quinoa will keep up to 4 days in an airtight container the fridge or can be frozen.
When serving this as a side dish all on its own, I like to use two sautéed shallots, half for cooking with the quinoa, and the other half for sprinkling over the top as a garnish.
If batch cooking for the week, double the recipe and you may not need any of the garnishes.
Rinsing the quinoa is imperative. It really does help remove the bitterness.
If making a smaller batch or bigger batch, my general ratio of water to quinoa is 1 cup quinoa to 1.75 cups water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Basic Quinoa Recipe – ¾ cup
- Calories: 161
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 292.8 mg
- Fat: 3.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 27.3 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Can’t wait to try ALL of these recipes! You have the most fabulous recipes out there! I look forward to my emails. We just planted our garden and our peppers are starting to grow! They are sooo cute 🤩 everything is flourishing 🌱
That is awesome Misty!
I love quinoa, but my family just rolls their eyes when I make it! I make it anyway, lol! Love all your recipes, can’t wait to try a few of these.
trying the holiday crunch salad and the breakfast grain bow next week! can’t wait!
So many excellent recipes for the summer produce season! I am excited for farmers markets, my CSA and my backyard salsa garden to start producing. I love quinoa and I’m excited to try the baked quinoa with corn, zucchini and feta, the quinoa and chickpea burgers, and the Peruvian burritos.
As a diabetic on restricted calories,I love that most of your recipes allow me to eat well and not miss out on flavour.
I’ll be making the Baked Quinoa,Corn,and Zucchin dish tomorrow.I can’t believe I have all the ingredients in the fridge!
Quinoa with preserved lemons! Unbelievable!
Can’t wait to make the Lemony Chicken Arugula Quinoa Salad for my Foreign Film night with lady friends. We love having different recipes!
All of these recipes and photographs look so delicious. Going to have the chickpea quinoa veggie burgers for tea.
Awesome 🙌
Sylvia, you have made me look like the worlds best home cook. Your recipes are always fantastic and perfectly detailed. Every time I announce that we’re trying a new recipe, my husband now says “Is it by our favorite chef?” (Meaning you). And when I tell him it is he says, “Oooh, I can’t wait to try it!”
Thanks so much for your unbelievable generosity in sharing your work with the world. It’s truly such a gift. 💗
Awww that is so sweet- thanks Laura, appreciate this! ❤️
I just have not been able to love quinoa but the broccoli quinoa cakes and the burgers might just do the trick.love your recipes!
Appreciate YOU, Sylvia! Today, we’re having a go with the Chickpea Quinoa Veggie Burger (looks delectable) and the Cucumber Salad ~ sure to be refreshing as we take in nature by picnic in the fiery 90° weather. 😉
Perfect Catherine!
We love our quinoa, great to have new recipes!
I have to say that this is best recipe food site I have found. It hits everything from flavour to consistency to uniqueness. Just amazing
Awww thanks so much ❤️
Everything looks so good! I’ve made the arugula citrus salad and subbed tofu for chicken. It was perfect!
Great to hear Megan!
The way food is meant to be. Fresh, brilliant, and health filled. Bon Appetit!
I can’t wait to try several of these recipes. Especially the dark molé sauce!
All of these look amazing! Thank you!
These recipes look so delicious and beautiful. I can’t wait to try them all! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for all the ideas. I love quinoa
Overwhelmed with the gorgeous quinoa powered choices, but the quinoa veggie burgers are perfect for the whole family – vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike!
Yes 🙌
Thank you so much for sharing these great quinoa recipes. I’ve been trying to incorporate more quinoa into my menu ideas. These recipes look so tasty! I’m going to make the broccoli quinoa cakes this week. I also want to try the breakfast bowl recipe because I’m always looking for healthy options for morning meals.
Perfect Karen!
I can’t wait to try the quinoa chickpea burgers. This looks light and refreshing for the heatwave we are having! Thanks for sharing, Sylvia!
These really are the best quinoa recipes. Thank you always and forever for your work. I’m usually a cast iron gal for almost everything but I would love to try something new. Cheers!
Quinoa is a lifesaver for Vegans and my favorite recipe of yours is the Crispy Vegan Quinoa Cakes with the Tomato Chickpea relish.
I smiled at your post about planting a garden for the wildlife. I do the same!
I love your “blog” and I look forward to getting your emails “What to Cook…”
Thank You!
Thanks Sharon!