Grain
Quinoa
Quick Tips
How to cook quinoa
Before cooking, rinse quinoa well in a fine mesh strainer. Then combine 1 cup quinoa with 2 cups water and a pinch of salt. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook quinoa for 15 minutes, just until most of the liquid has absorbed. Remove from heat and let rest for 10 minutes.
How to use quinoa
Quinoa is a versatile grain that can be used as a base for grain bowls, added to salads, soups, or made into vegetable patties. Quinoa can also be popped and toasted, similar to amaranth.
How to store quinoa
Quinoa, whether the whole seed or flour, is best stored in airtight containers in a cool place. Whole quinoa can be stored up to a year in the freezer or 6 months in the pantry. Quinoa flour is best stored in the freezer and will last up to 6 months. If the grains or flour have a rancid smell when you open the bag, toss and buy fresh.
Varieties
Red
White
Black
Flakes
Flour
About
Over the past few years, quinoa has become very well known, and also happens to be gluten-free. While quinoa is classified as a grain, it’s actually a seed from a grain crop. However, quinoa is prepared and used in the same way as a grain.
Because quinoa has a quick cooking time, I don’t cook this one in bulk like I do with other grains. Quinoa is sold in three colors: tan, black, and red but occasionally comes in a mix of the three together. Some say the different colors of quinoa cook a bit differently but I don’t think there’s enough difference to warrant choosing one over the other.
Quinoa’s flavor is mild and a bit on the earthy side. It’s one of my go-to grains for vegetarian cooking because it’s so versatile. Most often, I find myself swapping in quinoa for brown rice to serve as a bed for roasted vegetables and sauce.
Flour: Beyond the the grain, quinoa can also be found in flakes and flour. The flakes are great as a hot cereal or granola, while the flour can be used in similar fashion to traditional flour. I do recommend combining it with other gluten-free flours though, such as oat or sorghum.
Purchase Quinoa
Whole White Quinoa
Whole Tri-Color Quinoa
Whole Red Quinoa
Whole Black Quinoa
Quinoa Flour
All Vegetarian Quinoa Recipes
Adobo Acorn Squash, Crispy Quinoa, and Chimichurri
Arugula and Radish Salad (a New Year to #eatnaturally)
Arugula Salad with Roasted Potato and Endives
Caramelized Cauliflower Salad
Carrot Curry with Kale and Paneer
Cauliflower Stir fry with Quinoa
Cherry Salad with Quinoa and Fennel
Coconut Turmeric Quinoa with Kale
Collard Quinoa Salad
Cucumber Quinoa Salad with Feta
Curried Acorn Squash with Lemon-Arugula Salad
Curried Cauliflower and Quinoa Salad
Curried Chickpea Bowls with Quinoa
Fried Cauliflower with Romesco Sauce and Quinoa
Ginger Carrot Salad with Quinoa
Grilled Beet, Quinoa, and Feta Salad (+ Summer Veg Grilling Inspirations)
Grilled Carrots with Chermoula
Halloumi Salad with Spinach and Quinoa
Maple-Cinnamon Quinoa Granola
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Multigrain Pilaf with Quinoa, Millet, and Teff | Cooking Component
Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls with Popped Quinoa
Quick Red Lentil Curry with Spinach
Quinoa and White Bean Risotto with Brassicas
Quinoa and Zucchini Stuffed Peppers
Quinoa Chard Frittata with Balsamic Onions
Quinoa Granola
Quinoa Potato Cakes
Quinoa White Bean Stew
Roasted Butternut Squash, Quinoa, and Arugula Salad
Roasted Romanesco with Meyer Lemon Salsa
Scallion Roasted Carrots with Quinoa
Sesame Green Beans with Quinoa and Eggs
Sesame Kabocha Squash Soup
Sesame Roasted Turnip Salad with Quinoa
Simple Vegetable Egg Bake
Spinach Quinoa Cakes with Garlicky Yogurt
Spinach Salad with Avocado and Sesame Roasted Almonds
Stuffed Delicata with Chimichurri Black Beans
Sweet Corn Soup with Harissa
Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad with Soft-Boiled Eggs
Three Grain Pilaf with Roasted Asparagus
Three-Grain Grilled Vegetable and Feta Salad
Vegetarian Chili Cheese Fries
Za’atar Spiced Pecans and Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Zucchini Ribbon, Quinoa, and Pesto Salad