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

Check out how to cook Farro in this post!

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

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 while I am not nutritionist, you can read about how quinoa became a modern nutritional powerhouse in this article by the American Heart Association.

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!

rinsing uncooked quinoa in a mesh colander

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)

This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.

Jump

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.

Recipes using quinoa

Quinoa Patties with Sriracha Dip
Southwest Quinoa Salad
Breakfast Quinoa with Blackberries & Mint
Quinoa Greek Salad (from Bowl me Over)
Mango Lime Quinoa Salad (from Bucket List Tummy)

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A clear glass bowl filled with cooked quinoa sits on a burlap surface with a blue patterned background.

5 from 11 votes

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

Author Kylee Ayotte

Servings

Prep Time: 1

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 16

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

Ingredients

▢ 1 cup uncooked quinoa
▢ 1 ¾ cup water or broth

Instructions

Begin by rinsing 1 cup uncooked quinoa until the water runs clear.
In a small saucepan bring 1 ¾ cup 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.

Video

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

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Nutrition

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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About Kylee Ayotte

I am a born and raised New Zealander (a Kiwi), now living in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m happily married to the love of my life – a hot American boy I met while traveling the world. I’m a mama to 2 awesome little boys and love red things, rugby, cheesecake, and bacon. Mmmmm. Bacon. Meet Kylee