How to Cook Quinoa (a step-by-step guide + recipes!) (2024)

Random cravings. I get them all the time. Could be due to the fact that I’m pregnant, but in fact, I go through these weird phases where I’ll eat the same thing for a month straight. Does that ever happen to you?

Just this past month I’ve been obsessed with all things made with buffalo sauce. Plus honeycrisp apples, blueberry bagels with jalapeno cream cheese, kale smoothies, veggies burgers, pineapple, greek yogurt with strawberries, and of course, my favorite little grain: quinoa!

How to Cook Quinoa (a step-by-step guide + recipes!) (1)

What is quinoa?

While quinoa looks and behaves like a grain, it’s actually a seed that comes from a flowering plant! It has been used in South American cooking for thousands of years and more recently became a “superfood” here in the U.S.

Different types of quinoa

  • Seeds. Quinoa seeds themselves come in white, red and black varieties, so you’ll usually see bags labeled individually or as “tricolor quinoa” with all three. White quinoa takes the shortest amount of time to cook, followed by red quinoa and then black quinoa.
  • Flour. You can also make flour out of quinoa that’s a great, gluten free flour to bake with! Try out my AMAZING quinoa flour chocolate chip cookies.
  • Flakes. Quinoa also comes in flakes, which just means that the quinoa seeds have been pressed & rolled to look and act like a rolled oat. A great way to enjoy quinoa for breakfast!

Taste & texture

  • Taste. Quinoa has a slightly nutty taste to it, which makes it perfect for adding to your favorite dishes or simply seasoning it with a few basic flavors.
  • Texture. Once cooked, quinoa has a fluffy and slightly chewy texture like rice but is smaller in size like couscous. I use it in both sweet & savory recipes!

How to Cook Quinoa (a step-by-step guide + recipes!) (2)

Health benefits of quinoa

Not only is quinoa delicious & versatile, but it’s also filled with a range of amazing health benefits!

  • Gluten free. Quinoa is naturally gluten free, making it a great whole grain alternative to those with gluten intolerances or allergies.
  • Protein & fiber. One cup of cooked quinoa packs 8g of protein and 5g of fiber. More than regular rice while being lower in carbs and calories. Quinoa is also a complete protein, which means it has all essential amino acids that we can’t produce on our own. Pretty impressive for a plant!
  • Vitamins & minerals. Quinoa also had a great amount of magnesium, iron, potassium and zinc that we may not get enough of. It’s also high in antioxidants compared to other grains.
  • Blood sugar. Unlike processed grains, quinoa has a low glycemic index and won’t spike your blood sugar. Something that’s great for staying full & satisfied without crashing later on.

Another thing that’s wonderful? Quinoa cooks in only 15 minutes, which makes it perfect to store in the fridge and add to your weeknight dinner menu or toss in your lunch. Of course, making sure you know how to properly cook quinoa will make your meals that much better.

How to Cook Quinoa (a step-by-step guide + recipes!) (3)

How to cook quinoa

Step 1: rinse your quinoa

You’re probably wondering why we rinse the quinoa first. Quinoa can be pretty bitter if you do not properly rinse it before you cook it because it has a natural coating of a substance called saponin that prevents birds from eating it. To rinse this off, simply place 1 cup quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse it a few times under cool water.

How to Cook Quinoa (a step-by-step guide + recipes!) (4)

Step 2: use the right cooking liquid & ratio

Start with a 1:2 ratio: one part quinoa, two parts water or other cooking liquid (chicken broth, milk, etc). I use 1 cup quinoa and 2 cups of liquid, which will make about 3 cups of cooked quinoa. If you want you can double that to make a larger batch. Using different liquids brings a bigger flavor dimension to the quinoa, but water is great too:

  • Milk. Typically if I’m making breakfast quinoa, I cook it in milk. I especially love coconut milk!
  • Broth. If I’m making it as a savory side dish, I’ll cook my quinoa in a chicken or vegetable broth for a bit of flavor from the salt.
  • Water. Cooking your quinoa in water will also work great (and is what we’re using in this tutorial).

How to Cook Quinoa (a step-by-step guide + recipes!) (5)

Step 3: cook the quinoa

If you’ve ever wondered how long to cook quinoa, I’ve got the exact timing and tip for you! Here’s how to do it:

  1. Add quinoa and water or broth to a pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for exactly 15 minutes.
  3. After 15 minutes remove the pot from the heat and let stand covered for another 5-10 minutes. No peeking!

How to Cook Quinoa (a step-by-step guide + recipes!) (6)

Step 4: fluff the quinoa with a fork

The quinoa will pop upon cooking and expand. To help separate the grains, use a fork and fluff the quinoa. Add in fruit, nuts, milk, spices, or whatever your heart desires, or serve it in one of these great recipes below.

How to Cook Quinoa (a step-by-step guide + recipes!) (7)

How to store cooked quinoa

Let the quinoa cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Then simply store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.

Can you freeze cooked quinoa?

Actually, yes! To freeze it simply let it cool completely and then place it in airtight, freezer-friendly bags or containers. To reheat it you’ll let it thaw in the refrigerator or at room temp before microwaving it.

How to Cook Quinoa (a step-by-step guide + recipes!) (8)

Delicious ways to use quinoa

Once you’ve learned how to make perfect quinoa, it’s time to creative adding it to amazing recipes. Not only is quinoa delicious in tons of different salads, sides and even pancakes, it’s also super tasty on its own with a bit of olive oil, salt & pepper or even some parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. YUM. Here are more recipes to try:

  • Roasted Carrot Cauliflower Quinoa Salad with Sunshine Dressing
  • BBQ Ranch Chicken Quinoa Bowls
  • Banana Quinoa Pancakes
  • Vibrant Curry Cashew Chickpea Quinoa Salad
  • Cheesy Chicken Quinoa Enchilada Meatloaf Muffins
  • One Pot Moroccan Chickpea Quinoa Salad
  • Crispy Toasted Quinoa Peanut Butter Truffles

Looking for more? Get all of our best quinoa recipes here!

I hope you love this easy, step-by-step tutorial on how to cook quinoa! If you try this method be sure to leave a comment & a rating so I know how it turned out. Enjoy, xo!

How to Cook Quinoa (a step-by-step guide + recipes!) (9)

The
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook

125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day

How to Cook the Best Fluffy Quinoa

5 from 3 votes

Leave A Review Print Recipe

How to Cook Quinoa (a step-by-step guide + recipes!) (10)

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

ServesServes 4 servings

Learn exactly how to cook quinoa on the stovetop and add it to all of your favorite recipes! With this step-by-step tutorial, you'll learn how long to cook quinoa so it's nice and fluffy, how to make it taste good on its own and plenty of new ways to use it. Our best quinoa recipes included!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 2 cups water or broth of choice

Instructions

  • Rinse your quinoa: place 1 cup quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse it a few times under cool water.

  • Add quinoa and water or broth to a pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for exactly 15 minutes.

  • After 15 minutes, remove the pot from heat and let stand covered for another 5-10 minutes.

  • Next, fluff quinoa with a fork and serve. Makes about 3 cups of cooked quinoa.

Recipe Notes

To store: Let the quinoa cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Then simply store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.

To freeze: simply let it cool completely and then place it in airtight, freezer-friendly bags or containers. To reheat it you'll let it thaw in the refrigerator or at room temp before microwaving it.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cups cooked quinoaCalories: 160calCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 6gFat: 2.5gFiber: 3g

Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by:Eat Love Eats

How to Cook Quinoa (a step-by-step guide + recipes!) (2024)

FAQs

What is the proper way to cook quinoa? ›

Add you water and quinoa into a small saucepan. Turn on high and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover and reduce to a simmer for 8 – 12 minutes (depending on how much quinoa you are cooking). The quinoa is done cooking when the water has been absorbed and the germ has separated from the seed.

What is the ratio of water to quinoa? ›

The basic ratio is 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups liquid. You can use water (season it with a bit of kosher salt), or you can use any kind of broth (we like to use low-sodium broths and add any extra salt to the finished dish as needed). You can also add a bit of dry white wine to the liquid for another layer of flavor.

How much quinoa to cook for 1 cup? ›

How to Cook: Quinoa
Uncooked QuinoaAmount of WaterCooked Quinoa
1/4 cup1/2 cup (125 mL)3/4 cup
1/3 cup2/3 cup (160mL)1 cup
2/3 cup1 1/3 cup (330 mL)2 cups
1 cup2 cups (500 mL)3 cups
Mar 19, 2013

Should you rinse quinoa? ›

Most commercially sold quinoa has already undergone a process to remove the coating, and this information is usually indicated on the package. If it's not mentioned, or if you buy quinoa in bulk without packaging, you'll definitely want to rinse it.

Do you need to soak or rinse quinoa? ›

Quinoa just needs to be rinsed, not soaked, before use, because it's covered in a very bitter-tasting natural coating. You would only soak it if you plan to sprout it.

Do you cook quinoa covered or uncovered? ›

Because it is a seed, quinoa absorbs water differently than other grains. To make it fluffy, cook it uncovered at a low simmer. Once it's tender and no water remains in the bottom of the pot, cover it.

What is the golden ratio for quinoa? ›

The golden ratio is one cup of quinoa to one and three-quarter cups of water. Using these proportions can save you from a pot of mushy, overcooked, gummy quinoa. Before cooking, you should rinse the grains to remove their saponins, or bitter-tasting compounds, and also toast them in a skillet to develop their flavor.

Should you stir quinoa while cooking? ›

Stay vigilant: Stir the grains constantly to avoid burning, watching for that perfect golden moment, around 6 to 8 minutes. Water is this grain's go-to companion, but other liquids–think low-sodium chicken, mushroom or vegetable broth–add flavor. Just keep the ratio 2 cups liquid to 1 cup quinoa.

What's better rice or quinoa? ›

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice. A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

How do you make quinoa taste good? ›

Cook in vegetable, beef, or chicken broth: Cooking quinoa in vegetable, beef, or chicken stock is probably the easiest way to flavor it. You can simply swap the water with your choice of stock and use the same amount to cook your quinoa. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can also use half water and half stock.

What to season quinoa with? ›

If you're serving it as a simple side, season it first. At the very least, toss it with salt, pepper, lemon or lime juice, and a drizzle of olive oil. To kick it up another notch, stir in chopped herbs, minced garlic, toasted nuts, or crumbled feta cheese, or use it in one of the quinoa recipes below!

Why should you soak quinoa before cooking? ›

*Soaking grains helps to remove some of the naturally occurring phytic acid in the grain, which helps improve digestibility and speed cook time. To soak: Rinse quinoa thoroughly then add to a large mixing bowl or pot and cover with twice the amount of lukewarm water (2 cups water, 1 cup quinoa).

How do you know when quinoa is cooked? ›

Your quinoa should smell nutty and be very easy to fluff with the tines of a fork—if there's still water at the bottom of the saucepan, give it a little more time on the heat, uncovered. You can use that fluffy, perfectly cooked quinoa immediately in hot dishes or wait for it to cool to toss into veggie-filled salads.

Do you rinse quinoa before toasting? ›

If yours has already been rinsed you can skip this step. To wash quinoa, place it in a fine-meshed strainer and rinse it under cool water for 30 - 45 seconds. Allow the excess water to drain out. Toast the quinoa: Place the quinoa in a large pan and turn on the heat to medium.

Do you stir quinoa while boiling? ›

Add the quinoa, salt (plus any optional aromatics) to a large pot of boiling water and stir to combine. Simmer for about 12-15 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and translucent and those cute little white curlicues have poked out from the seeds.

How long to soak quinoa before cooking? ›

Soak your quinoa in at least twice as much water, and a glug of raw apple cider vinegar for 8-10 hours. Drain it and rinse it well with fresh water. Transfer the quinoa to a pot and add enough water to moisten the grains and just barely cover.

Should quinoa be cooked covered or uncovered? ›

Here's the trick for perfectly fluffy quinoa: Use twice as much water as quinoa, as usual, then cook uncovered until the quinoa has absorbed all the water. The cooking time will vary based on quantity. Once the water is all absorbed, remove the pot from heat, cover it and let the quinoa steam for 5 minutes.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Prof. An Powlowski

Last Updated:

Views: 5938

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. An Powlowski

Birthday: 1992-09-29

Address: Apt. 994 8891 Orval Hill, Brittnyburgh, AZ 41023-0398

Phone: +26417467956738

Job: District Marketing Strategist

Hobby: Embroidery, Bodybuilding, Motor sports, Amateur radio, Wood carving, Whittling, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Prof. An Powlowski, I am a charming, helpful, attractive, good, graceful, thoughtful, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.