30+ Easy Recipes to Make with Quinoa
Cook up a batch of quinoa — either on the on the stove or in your Instant Pot — and you’ve got the makings for a huge variety of easy, wholesome meals. While it’s often referred to as a grain, quinoa is actually a seed, and it’s packed with protein and fiber, making it a satisfying addition wherever it’s used. Quinoa has a mild flavor with a slightly warm, nutty undertone, which means it’s easy to partner with a wide variety of ingredients.
Before cooking up any quinoa recipes, you’ll want to be sure to give it a good rinse first. (Yes, you should be rinsing quinoa. This removes the protective coating called saponin that can make cooked quinoa taste bitter, and is true whether you’re using white, red, or black quinoa.)
From porridge and breakfast bowls to loaded salads and grain bowls, here are over 25 quinoa recipes to try.
How to Cook Quinoa
Quinoa Salad Recipes
Quinoa salads can take two shapes: this protein-rich seed can either serves as the base of the salad or you can mix a few scoops into your green salad to bulk it up. One thing you’ll want to remember is that anytime you meal prep quinoa salad, spread the cooked quinoa on a baking sheet and pop it in the fridge for a little while. This helps the quinoa cool faster and allows each individual grain to keep its toothsome texture.
Quinoa Bowl Recipes
The truth is that when you’re cooking up a one-bowl meal, any kind of rice or grain will work as a base. But quinoa happens to be the one I lean on most often. It adds a nutty flavor (especially the red or black varieties) and an extra punch of protein.
Breakfasts That Start with Quinoa
There are a lot of ways to work quinoa into your breakfast routine. Try adding some to your regular batch of oatmeal, bulking up a breakfast salad, or using quinoa as the base for a wholesome breakfast bowl.
Quinoa Side Dishes
If you’ve been cooking up a pot of plain quinoa as your go-to side dish, here’s a few fun ideas to take it a step further. Try a veggie-packed pilaf, a riff on tabbouleh, or stuffed peppers.