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!

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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.

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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).

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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

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.

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 long does quinoa take to cook? ›

Rinse quinoa in a fine mesh sieve until water runs clear. Transfer quinoa to a medium pot with water (or broth) and salt. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer, uncovered, until quinoa is tender and a white "tail" appears around each grain, about 15 minutes.

How much does 1 cup of quinoa make? ›

For 1 cup of uncooked quinoa, you'll want to use 2 cups of water—this will yield 3 cups of cooked quinoa.

Do you need to soak quinoa before cooking? ›

Do you need to soak quinoa before cooking it? In short, no, you don't need to soak quinoa. However, doing so is said to remove phytic acid, which may make it easier for people to digest quinoa. If you just want to remove the bitter flavor from quinoa, rinse it under cold water for about a minute.

Should 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.

Do I need to 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.

Is quinoa healthier than 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. Unlike rice, quinoa fibers help to lower cholesterol and control blood sugar levels.

Do you stir quinoa while cooking? ›

If using sprouted quinoa, add quinoa to a small saucepan and toast over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, being careful not to burn. If using quinoa that's not sprouted and you'd like soaking instructions, see notes*.

What happens if you don't pre rinse quinoa? ›

Why rinse quinoa? Rinsing removes quinoa's natural coating, called saponin, which can make it taste bitter or soapy. Although boxed quinoa is often pre-rinsed, it doesn't hurt to give the seeds an additional rinse at home.

Can we eat quinoa daily? ›

You can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day. You should avoid eating it if you experience stomachache, itchiness or vomiting after consuming it. A study by Harvard Public School of Health has reported that eating a bowl of quinoa daily is healthy and without any side effects.

Can you overcook quinoa? ›

Many boxes call for a 1:2 ratio, which I've found is more likely to result in an overcooked, gummy pot of quinoa. So skip those instructions and use my tried-and-true ratio.

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.

Why is my quinoa not fluffy? ›

Most quinoa recipes, including the cooking instructions printed on packages, call for 2 cups of water for every 1 cup quinoa. That's how you get a clumpy, wet mess. Reducing the water to 1½ cups for every cup of quinoa gives you a drier and fluffier result.

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