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 quinoa
- 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.
Quinoa Salad Recipes
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.
Chef’s 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 Dinner recipes
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!
Quinoa 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
They all look and sound delicious! Think I’ll try the Lemony Chickpea Salad first as I just got a big box of lemons from my brother. Thank you for all the wonderful recipes you share.
Love your recipes. My seasons are about front as I’m in Australia but still this is my go to site for inspiration in the kitchen.
I love Sylvia’s recipes. They are colorful, nourishing, healthy and bursting in flavors! The quinoa edition really speaks to my heart as I love eating quinoa and love to integrate it in everything.
Love these recipes! Making quinoa exciting again 🙂
So many delicious quinoa ideas to try, but definitely will be making the Moroccan lentil soup first. Looks so hearty and simple to make. Also, I recently discovered my love for red quinoa, and think it would be so good in the carrot almond salad.
Yes, I think that is what i use!
I love your recipes, quinoa is a firm favourite and you have supplied a lovely medley to try. Loving it! From Australia
Thank you so much for these healthy quinoa receipts
Not too complex and using panty ingredients
We are at the commencement of Winter here in Australia and in lockdown at present so I have the opportunity and time to cook and try your beautiful receipts. Once again many thanks for your inspiring recipes each week
When we were in Myanmar we saw quinoa growing in fields. It’s a beautiful plant! I finally got my husband to enjoy it and I’m always looking for more wood quinoa recipes. Thanks so much.
Wow, I bet that was a beautiful sight!
Really enjoyed the baked Quinoa and stuffed peppers.
So many new ideas for the quintessential quinoa bowl and beyond! I am excited to try the takes on tabbouleh and the Peruvian Burrito. Thank you, Sylvia!
thanks so much Michelle ❤️
Thank you for sharing inspirational, fresh, and delicious recipes! I don’t know which one to make first- the Broccoli Quinoa Cakes or the baked quinoa with corn, zucchini, feta & fresh tomato relish!
Can’t wait to try some of these! Even more pleased that I have made some of these already!
I’m usually not much of a quinoa fan but that stuffed poblano and burger look amazing. Going to have to try those! 🙂
Give them a try!
Thanks for this, Sylvia!! I love Quinoa. And my favorite is topped with spicy italian meatballs and parsley. YUM!
that sounds so tasty!
I very much enjoy receiving your newsletters – they’re very well created and the photography is beautiful.
I’m very much looking forward to cooking your Tandori Chicken recipe with the baked quinoa this week!
Warmest,
Gail x
thanks Gail ❤️
Looking forward to trying a few of these this summer! Your site has become such a reliable source for new cooking inspiration. Thanks for sharing so many wonderful recipes!
The Broccoli Quinoa cakes are stellar! Love the crispy outer texture, and the sauce pairs perfectly! I made extra to freeze but they never made it to the freezer, BAHHHH! Keep doing what you do please!
thanks so much ❤️
Wow, can’t wait to try the different recipes with quinoa, especially the mole sauce.
How does one choose? Here in Vancouver, to neighbour in Spokane, I thank you for this selection of great recipes!!! Love quinoa!
So many wonderful recipes – making Lemony Chicken Arugula Quinoa tonight!
Can’t wait to try some of these with the red quinoa I just received from Rancho Gordo
Ohhh love Rancho Gordo- will have to get some!
I love so many quinoa recipes, can’t pick just one!
Love these recipes especially the baked quinoa
All the way in Australia we do not cook from any other website now! Can’t wait to try some of these quinoa recipes they look as yummy as everything else we have tried from your site
Thanks Laura~!
These all look so great!