Learn how to cook quinoa so it turns out fluffy and perfect every time! 20 minutes to make with endless possibilities.
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Quinoa is a wholesome gluten-free grain that is rich in protein, dietary fiber, and B vitamins. As a vegetarian and lover of whole foods I've made quite a bit of it in my kitchen.
Here you'll find all my favorite tips and tricks for how to make quinoa that is fluffy, tender, and ready to be incorporated into your favorite recipes.
How to cook quinoa
- Place quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water for two minutes. Drain thoroughly.
- Heat one teaspoon olive oil in a 2 quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the quinoa a cook, stirring frequently until the quinoa begins to pop.
- Add water, vegetable stock, or a combination of the two. Bring to a boil, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes or until the liquid is thoroughly absorbed.
- Remove from the heat and allow to rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and season as desired before serving or using in your favorite recipe.
Top tips
Always rinse quinoa
Quinoa has a protective, bitter tasting coating called saponin. While generally safe to consume, I recommend rinsing your quinoa in a fine mesh sieve for two minutes under cold, running water to remove this natural chemical and improve the final taste.
Toasting quinoa
This step is technically optional, but will improve the final taste of your quinoa. After rinsing, cook the quinoa in a little oil over medium heat until dry and lightly toasted before adding your liquid. This is similar to improving the flavor of nuts by toasting them.
Doubling this recipe
If doubling or otherwise increasing the quantities in this recipe, use slightly less liquid than the doubled amount. This is a personal preference and not a hard rule, but will result in fluffier quinoa.
Let rest after cooking
Always allow your quinoa to rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes off the heat after all the liquid is absorbed. This will allow the quinoa to absorb any leftover liquid or steam and cause it to be fluffier. This wouldn't be as necessary if you plan to add the quinoa to a soup or casserole.
How to store cooked quinoa
Cooked quinoa can be kept covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
How to customize your quinoa
- Add seasoning with the liquid such as Italian seasoning, curry powder, or chili powder
- Toss with toasted pine nuts and lemon juice after cooking
- Mix cooked quinoa with chopped veggies such as cucumber and tomatoes for a fresh salad served cold
- Use as a replacement for rice or other grains in recipes and grain bowls
FAQ
I use 1.75 cups of liquid for 1 cup of uncooked quinoa. I find this makes fully cooked, fluffy quinoa. If you prefer it a little softer or mushier, you could increase the liquid to 2 cups.
Cooked quinoa will last 3-5 days covered in the refrigerator, making it an ideal meal prep food that you can batch cook once and enjoy for days. Uncooked quinoa will keep for months in an airtight container on a dark shelf or in the freezer.
The quantities listed in the recipe card result in 3 cups of cooked quinoa.
Quinoa comes in white, red, or black. They all cook the same way, but red and black quinoa may require a slightly longer cooking time and have a slightly different flavor.
You can also find packages with mixed colors. Chances are you won't notice the difference in textures when cooking the different colors together.
Recipes that use quinoa
- Crispy Quinoa Bake
- Italian Quinoa Casserole
- Broccoli Quinoa Casserole
- Slow Cooker Quinoa Enchilada Casserole
- Butternut Squash Casserole
- Rainbow Quinoa Salad
- Warm Kale and Quinoa Salad
- Vegan Quinoa Salad with Balsamic Tofu
- Peaches and Cream Breakfast Quinoa
- Quinoa Stuffed Poblano Peppers
- Quinoa Taco Salad
- Vegan Tempeh Buddha Bowl
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
How to Cook Quinoa
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1.75 cups vegetable stock, water, or a combination of the two
Instructions
- Place the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse throughly with cool water for at least two minutes. Drain.
- In a medium saucepan, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the quinoa and cook, stirring, for about three minutes. The quinoa should begin to dry out and pop a bit.
- Add the liquid, stir, and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and cook, covered, for 15 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed. Remove the pan from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5-10 minutes.
- Fluff the quinoa with a fork before serving or using in your favorite recipe.
Yuk Lee-Milliner says
Can I cook it in a Rice Cooker
Lindsay Moe says
Yes, follow the same directions and just turn on your rice cooker. It might take a little longer to cook than the stove top.
Kay Stucker says
Want to make some trail mix or candy type mix with fruit. Do I need to spread out quinoa to dry or will it bake out moisture? Do you have a recipe like that?
Lindsay Moe says
Sorry, I don't have a recipe like that and I'm not sure exactly how to get what you're going for. Best of luck!