24 Delicious Quinoa Recipes (2024)

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Quinoa is a super nutritious pseudo-grain (technically a seed!) that originated in the Andean region of South America. It’s packed with phosphorous, magnesium, fiber, folate, and zinc, and it contains all of the essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein).

To help you get more of this nutty, earthy, versatile “grain” in your life, we’ve gathered our favorite plant-based quinoa recipes! Breakfasts, vegan burgers, fried “rice,” and more (even a dessert!) included.

(Note: Dietary symbols listed throughout for easy navigation!)

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Dark Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

Simple, 7-ingredient dark chocolate quinoa breakfast bowl naturally sweetened with maple syrup and infused with rich cocoa powder! A healthy, hearty plant-based breakfast or snack.

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7-Ingredient Quinoa Granola

Naturally sweetened, 7-ingredient quinoa granola with almonds and oats! A healthy, protein-packed breakfast or snack with a serious crunch.

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Easy Vegan Sausage (Soy- & Gluten-Free!)

Easy vegan sausage made with pinto beans, quinoa, nuts, and spices! Flavorful, comforting, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, and beyond!

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Easy Zucchini Fritters

Incredibly fresh, flavorful vegan zucchini fritters ready in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients. Zesty, herby, incredibly versatile, and a delicious plant-based, gluten-free side or snack.

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Curried Quinoa Chickpea Burgers

Easy to make, perfectly tender, 10-ingredient chickpea burgers infused with the flavors of curry. The perfect plant-based, gluten-free entrée for Indian night and beyond!

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Baked Quinoa Black Bean Falafel

An easy, healthy take on falafel with wholesome black beans, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, and garlic. Baked instead of fried, smoky flavor, and entirely vegan and gluten-free!

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Smoky BBQ Black Bean Burger

Smoky, hearty black bean burgers with sweet potato, mushrooms, quinoa, and pecans. Wholesome, satisfying, BIG on flavor, and just 10 ingredients required! The ultimate veggie burgers for the grill or stovetop.

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FAQs

What to add to quinoa to make it taste good? ›

Easy ways to flavor quinoa: Broth: first and foremost, change up the liquid that you're using to cook your quinoa. Rather than using water, try to change it up for broth (veggie, chicken, beef, mushroom, etc). You can also use coconut milk if you're wanting something a little more creamy/tropical.

What is the best way to eat quinoa? ›

Once you've made a batch of quinoa, you have endless options for using it. Make it the base of your next grain bowl, toss it into a salad, or stuff it into squash or sweet potatoes. It's also at home in soups & wraps, and it pairs nicely with sweet flavors as well as savory.

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Why is my quinoa always soggy? ›

Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes. Quinoa holds lots of water, so you have to make sure you drain it thoroughly after it's cooked. Otherwise, it will make your whole dish watery.

How long does quinoa last in the fridge? ›

For a healthier twist on pasta or potato salad, toss cooked quinoa with chopped vegetables, fresh herbs, vinegar and olive oil. Add cooked quinoa to soups, stews and casseroles. Store cooked and cooled quinoa in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

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How do you make quinoa not boring? ›

Serving suggestions: I love to stir a drizzle of olive oil and clove of garlic into warm quinoa for extra flavor. Other options include chopped fresh spinach or arugula, or massaged kale. Fresh herbs and/or dried spices are nice, as well as grated or crumbled cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, pitted and sliced olives, etc.

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Is quinoa healthier than rice? ›

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.

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How does quinoa burn belly fat? ›

How Quinoa Helps In Weight Loss? Rich dietary fibre and protein increase metabolism, and that makes quinoa good for weight loss. Cooked Quinoa contains five grams of dietary fibre per cup. Eating high fibre foods is often the missing piece when a person is trying to shed weight.

Why does quinoa make me feel weird? ›

But for some people, eating quinoa may cause stomachaches, itchy skin, hives, and other common symptoms of food allergies. The seed and its coating contain the compound saponin, which could cause these symptoms. If you're allergic to quinoa or sensitive to saponin, it doesn't mean you have to miss out on tasty recipes.

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What happens if you don't rinse quinoa? ›

It wasn't a huge difference in texture, but definitely noticeable. Rinsing quinoa definitely starts to hydrate the seeds. Flavor – In terms of flavor, the unrinsed quinoa definitely had a nuttier, earthier flavor, but I didn't find it bitter at all. The rinsed quinoa was definitely milder and the flavors more muted.

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How many minutes to boil quinoa? ›

Put the quinoa into a sieve and wash well under cold running water. Tip into a saucepan and pour in 400ml cold water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over a medium heat, then reduce to a simmer over a low heat and cook gently for 10-15 mins until the quinoa is fully cooked and all the water has been absorbed.

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How do I know if my quinoa is spoiled? ›

The most obvious indication that quinoa is spoiled is the smell. In the fridge, it won't smell like much unless it's begun to spoil. Then, it will take on a rotten aroma, letting you know it needs to be tossed. It may also start to change texture, emitting a milky liquid or turning overly soft, rubbery, or tough.

Can dogs eat quinoa? ›

But, can dogs eat quinoa? The answer is generally yes. The edible seed is actually an ingredient in some high-quality dry dog foods. Its strong nutritional profile makes it a healthy alternative to corn, grains like wheat, and soy—all starches that are often used to make kibble.

Can you eat cooked quinoa cold the next day? ›

It can be eaten hot or cold and combined with ingredients such as chopped pepper, salad onions and nuts to make a quick and easy salad dish. To store: Keep quinoa in a cool, dry place and consume by the best before date.

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What makes quinoa better? ›

Higher in fiber than many grains

Another important benefit of quinoa is its high fiber content. A 1-cup (185-gram) serving of cooked quinoa contains 5.18 grams of fiber. That's about 18% of the current 28-gram DV ( 4 ). Quinoa contains more fiber than several other popular grains, like brown rice.

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How to reduce bitterness in quinoa? ›

Happily, the solution to preventing bitter quinoa is very simple. All you need to do is rinse your uncooked quinoa in cold running water for a minute or so until the water runs clear.

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24 Delicious Quinoa Recipes (2024)

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What to add to quinoa to make it taste good? ›

How do I know if my quinoa is spoiled? ›

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