How to cook Quinoa (and what to do with it!)

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission. Full Disclosure Policy.

How to cook quinoa: a nutty flavor and super fast cooking time make cooking quinoa from scratch a great option for healthy meals!

Around here, we love quinoa – but I remember when it was new to me and all the questions I had.

In this post, I’m going to answer these questions!

• What is quinoa?
• Why should I eat quinoa? Is quinoa good for you?
• How to cook quinoa
• Why rinse quinoa?
• Recipes using quinoa

What is quinoa?

Quinoa (pronounced “keen-wa”) is classified a “super food”, and is considered to be a whole grain. It is one of the most popular health foods, due to it being gluten-free, high in protein (and fiber, magnesium, B vitamins, iron potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E).

It has a sweet, nutty flavor and a very distinctive, slightly chewy texture, and is great as a substitute for rice or couscous (4o calories fewer than the same volume of rice).

There are over 100 different varieties – but we tend to stick to the white.

Fun fact: Quinoa is not a grass like wheat or rice – it’s actually related to spinach and amaranth.

Why should I eat quinoa? Is quinoa good for you?

Well, it tastes good. Plus it’s gluten free, and high in protein. And it’s good for you!

One half cup of cooked quinoa – has 4 grams of protein, 2.6 grams of fiber, 140 mg of phosphorus, 159 mg of potassium, 1.4 grams of iron, and 1 mg of zinc.

Quinoa also contains small amounts of heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Why rinse quinoa?

While most boxed quinoa is already pre-rinsed, I always give it a good rinse anyway.

Rinsing will remove the natural coating, called saponin, which can make it taste bitter or soapy. Saponin is a naturally occurring chemical that coats every tiny grain of quinoa – it’s there to ward off insects—but it has a strong, unpleasant taste. Blech!

How to cook quinoa:

1 cup uncooked quinoa needs 1.75 Cups of liquid (the box says 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups liquid – but for me, if you do a 1:2 ratio, you end up with gummy, paste-y quinoa)

The full printable recipe is below:

1. Begin by rinsing the quinoa until the water runs clear.
2. In a small saucepan bring water (or broth, depending on usage) to a boil then add quinoa.
3. Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes until all the water is absorbed (Small pockets of air will appear on the surface – see pics below)
4. Remove from heat, and remove lid.
5. Fluff with a fork.
6. Devour.

Recipes using quinoa:

• Healthy Quinoa & Black Bean Salad 
• Quinoa Patties with Sriracha Dip
• Fresh Ginger & Orange Scented Quinoa 
• Tomato Basil Quinoa with Spinach & White Beans
• Mediterranean Cod with Quinoa & Vegetables
• Creamy Chicken Stew with Quinoa (Instant Pot)
• Quinoa Bowls with Turmeric Tahini Sauce (from Lemon Blossoms)
• Quinoa Greek Salad (from Bowl me Over)
  

  

  Healthy Quinoa & Black Bean Salad 

  

  Fresh Ginger & Orange Scented Quinoa

  

  Creamy Chicken Stew with Quinoa (Instant Pot)

  
  

WANT TO TRY COOKING QUINOA?

PIN IT TO YOUR GRAINS, GLUTEN FREE OR HEALTHY RECIPES BOARD!!

FIND ME ON PINTEREST FOR MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES!

How to cook Quinoa – and what to do with it!

How to cook quinoa: a nutty flavor and super fast cooking time make cooking quinoa from scratch a great option for healthy meals!

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 1 minute

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 16 minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 104kcal

Author: Kylee Cooks

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 ¾ cups water or broth

Instructions

• Begin by rinsing the quinoa until the water runs clear.
• In a small saucepan bring water (or broth, depending on usage) to a boil then add quinoa.
• Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes until all the water is absorbed (Small pockets of air will appear on the surface - see pics below)
• Remove from heat, and remove lid.
• Fluff with a fork.
• Devour.

Notes

1 cup uncooked quinoa needs 1.75 Cups of liquid (the box says 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups liquid - but for me, if you do a 1:2 ratio, you end up with gummy, paste-y quinoa)

1 cup of uncooked quinoa will yield 3 cups cooked

 

Nutrition

Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 159mg | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1.3mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @kyleecooks or tag #kyleecooks!

Tips for All Recipes on Kylee Cooks

Want to scale a recipe up or down? Simply click on the serving amount and move the slider up or down - the recipe will automatically adjust!

I always use salted butter in my recipes.

Always use a thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.

When a recipe is made in the oven, it should be pre-heated to the temperature in the recipe, unless otherwise noted.