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
Love quinoa it’s so versatile! I’m going to try the quinoa chickpea burger
Mmmmmmm yum in my tum! Love the cleanliness before, during, and after each recipe ❤️
Your Lemony Chicken Arugula Quinoa Salad is one of my very favorite salads……….and loving salads I hold them to a high standard. 😊
Preparation is easy, the ingredients clean, and the presentation is inviting and impressive. Thank you for creating and sharing your lovely recipes!
Thanks Bonnie!
Yummi,these recipes look good,I want to try Them all!
Your recipes are always so tasty and radiantly healthy. Thank you for sharing your gift!
Thank you for this post!! I’ve been avoiding quinoa in my cabinet! These ideas have sparked my desire to cook with it more often. Can the quinoa cakes be done with Tri-color quinoa? Thanks, again!
I don’t have the best luck with tricolored in quinoa cakes, because you need the grains to split in order to bind. The white quinoa works best here in this application!
Thank you, Sylvia! You saved me. 😃
So many great ideas!
The quinoa and strawberry tabouli is a staple in my line up! So good!
All the dishes look delicious. I love your recipes. Thanks
OHHHHHH that Quinoa Chickpea Veggie Burger looks AMAZING! Adding to my list of recipes to make 🙂
I love the different varieties that you present, along with a and beautiful picture. You always inspires me to try something beyond my norm!
Trying the baked recipe tonight..
My acupuncturist advised me to replace Rice with Quinoa…I love these recipes, thank you. The photos are always amazing.
Looks fantastic! Thank you for the inspiration!
Yum! Can’t wait to try the broccoli and quinoa cakes, they look amazing!
Went plant based for heart problems, love your recipes. So glad I found you. Thanks
These recipes look delicious! I really look forward to trying the Holiday Crunch Salad.
They all look so yummy! I can’t wait to try these recipes. I need more quinoa in my life! Thank you for featuring quinoa.
We are very excited to try these recipes. Both of my kids have really been enjoying your recipes.
THANK YOU!
The Moroccan Quinoa and Blood Orange Salad was sooo good! Can’t wait to try out more of the quinoa recipes.
Since I stumbled upon your website last year it’s been my only source of cooking inspiration and the results are always satisfying.
Thank you Sylvia!!
thanks so much Tanya ❤️
Quinoa is great stuff. Just try to buy a sustainable brand.
Looking forward to trying the everyday quinoa with lemon and shallots tomorrow for meat free Monday 😋
excited to try this recipe! Looks devine 🙂
great collection of recipes – I love the assortment!
Who said quinoa was boring?! Can’t wait to make these for meal prep YUM 🙂
Nothing like these recipes in Scotland so it is wonderful to be able to try them out. Looking forward to enjoying them too.