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    Home » Essential Recipes

    How to Cook Quinoa

    Lindsay Moe

    6922 shares
    pinterest image for how to make quinoa

    Learn how to cook quinoa so it turns out fluffy and perfect every time!

    a speckled bowl with quinoa and a dark napkin on a grey background
    Jump to Recipe

    If you’re not already aware, 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.

    What is quinoa good for?

    Quinoa makes a delicious addition to salads, casseroles, and other nutritious meals. A few of my favorite recipes using quinoa are:

    Crispy Quinoa Bake

    Italian Quinoa Casserole

    Quinoa Stuffed Poblano Peppers

    Quinoa Taco Salad

    Vegan Tempeh Buddha Bowl

    Can you eat raw quinoa?

    Eating raw quinoa is not recommended as it may cause digestive discomfort. I recommend cooking quinoa as directed below, although you may want to experiment with how to make puffed quinoa.

    a fine mesh sieve with uncooked quinoa

    Can you eat quinoa without rinsing it?

    It won’t hurt you to not rinse your quinoa, but it is highly recommended. Rinsing removes the quinoa’s natural coating which can give it a bitter taste. Even if your quinoa is labelled as pre-rinsed, put it in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water for 2 minutes.

    How to cook quinoa

    1. Place quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water for two minutes. Drain thoroughly.
    2. 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.
    3. Add water, vegetable stock, or a combination of the two. Bring to a boil, cover, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the liquid is thoroughly absorbed.
    4. Remove from the heat and fluff with a fork, and season as desired before serving or using in your favorite recipe.
    a pot of cooked quinoa with a fork in it

    How long is quinoa good for?

    Cooked quinoa will last 3-5 days covered in the refrigerator, making it an ideal meal prep food that you can batch cook one day and enjoy for days. Uncooked quinoa will keep for months in an airtight container on a dark shelf or in the freezer.

    Top tips for how to prepare quinoa

    • Always rinse quinoa
    • Toast the quinoa in a bit of oil before adding the liquid
    • If doubling or otherwise increasing the basic recipe, use slightly less liquid than the double amount
    • Let rest 5-10 minutes covered after cooking
    a pot of cooked quinoa with a fork in it

    Quinoa is endlessly customizable! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

    • Add seasoning with the liquid such as Italian seasoning, curry powder, or chili powder
    • Toss with 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 buddha bowls
    a bowl of quinoa with a dark napkin on a grey background

    If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

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    cooked quinoa in a bowl

    How to Cook Quinoa

    How to make quinoa that turns out perfectly fluffy every time for use as a side dish or in your favorite recipe.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 18 minutes
    Resting Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 119kcal
    Author: Lindsay Moe

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup quinoa
    • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 119kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 314mg | Potassium: 159mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 165IU | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1.3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theliveinkitchen or tag #theliveinkitchen!

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    1. Yuk Lee-Milliner says

      January 22, 2022 at 9:14 am

      5 stars
      Can I cook it in a Rice Cooker

      Reply
      • Lindsay Moe says

        January 26, 2022 at 10:47 am

        Yes, follow the same directions and just turn on your rice cooker. It might take a little longer to cook than the stove top.

        Reply
    2. Kay Stucker says

      August 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm

      5 stars
      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?

      Reply
      • Lindsay Moe says

        September 01, 2022 at 8:17 am

        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!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Lindsay! I've been creating easily customizable vegetarian recipes since 2011. I love the outdoors, brownies, and brand new books. I live and work in La Crosse, Wisconsin and founded Wild Flour Media to expand on my love for food photography and videography to my community and beyond.

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