How to Cook Quinoa (Basic Recipe)
For a foolproof method of How to Cook Quinoa, try this easy step by step recipe that makes perfectly cooked quinoa every time! Our basic quinoa recipe is lightly seasoned with salt, and has a neutral flavor to make it easy to add to other recipes with a variety of flavor profiles. Or, it can be served on its own as a simple warm side dish.
This plain quinoa recipe is like a blank canvas (like plain rice), so you can add it to most any recipe that uses cooked quinoa. For a delicious combination of flavors and textures, try it with our Greek Salad with Quinoa (more quinoa recipes coming soon!). To learn how to make this side dish recipe, take a quick look at the recipe video, or get Step by Step Instructions below. For more recipe variations, visit the Pimp My Recipe Ideas section in this recipe’s Blog Comments & Tips below.
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RECIPE
(Check out our Step by Step Instructions below the recipe card.)
HOW TO COOK QUINOA (Basic Recipe)
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add organic tri-color quinoa to a medium mixing bowl, then add enough cold tap water to cover the quinoa by 1-2 inches. Using your hands, swish the quinoa in the water to thoroughly rinse. Then drain well using a fine mesh strainer.
- To a medium saucepan (2.5 quart), add rinsed and drained quinoa, filtered water, and kosher salt, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil on high heat, cover with a lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer covered for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and let rest covered for 10 minutes.
- Remove lid, and fluff with a Fiskie (or fork) until grains are separated and fluffy. Set aside to cool completely. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature (see Note #4).
Notes
- This basic recipe makes a neutral tasting quinoa that is lightly seasoned with salt. You can use tri-color, white, black, or red quinoa. Use filtered water to cook the quinoa so it doesn't alter the flavor. This plain quinoa is like a blank canvas, so you can add it to most any recipe that uses cooked quinoa, without conflicting flavors.
- To make a more flavorful quinoa, replace water with low sodium vegetable or chicken stock, and reduce the kosher salt to ¼ teaspoon. Taste when done, and adjust for seasoning, if needed.
- Keep the lid covered during the entire cooking and resting process to allow it to properly cook and finish steaming.
- If using cooked quinoa with other recipes, quinoa can be made up to 2 days ahead of time, and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Make sure you cool completely before storing and refrigerating. Try it in our Greek Salad with Quinoa - other quinoa recipes are coming soon!).
- Makes about 3 cups of cooked quinoa (4 servings, about ¾ cup per serving).
Nutrition Facts
Calories
150Fat (grams)
2.5Sat. Fat (grams)
0Carbs (grams)
32Fiber (grams)
3Net carbs
29Sugar (grams)
1Protein (grams)
6Sodium (milligrams)
86.84Cholesterol (grams)
0Nutritional information provided is strictly an estimate and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods.
Step by Step Instructions
PREPARATION
Organize all your tools and ingredients before you begin. Getting all your ingredients in one place at the beginning will shorten your prep time.
STEP 1
Add 1 cup organic tri-color quinoa to a medium mixing bowl. Add enough cold tap water to cover the quinoa by 1-2 inches, and using your hands, thoroughly rinse the quinoa (by swishing with hands). Then drain well using a fine mesh strainer.
STEP 2a
Add fully rinsed and drained quinoa to a medium saucepan (2.5 quart), 1 ¾ cups of room temperature filtered water (see Note below), and 1 generous pinch of kosher salt, and stir to combine.
Note: The filtered water does not alter the flavor of the quinoa, which makes it easy to combine it with other recipes (like our Greek Salad with Quinoa). To make a more flavorful quinoa, replace water with low sodium vegetable or chicken stock, and reduce the kosher salt to ¼ teaspoon. Taste when done, and adjust for seasoning, if needed.
STEP 2b
Bring to a boil on high heat, cover with a lid, immediately reduce to low heat, and simmer covered for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and let rest covered for 10 minutes (see Note below).
Note: Keep the lid covered during the entire cooking and resting process to allow it to properly cook and finish steaming.
STEP 3
Uncover, and fluff with a Fiskie (or fork) until grains are separated and fluffy.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature (see Note below).
Note: If using cooked quinoa with other recipes, quinoa can be made up to 2 days ahead of time, and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Make sure you cool completely before storing and refrigerating.
Notes:
This basic recipe makes a neutral tasting quinoa that is lightly seasoned, and you can use tri-color, white, black, or red quinoa. This plain quinoa is like a blank canvas, so you can add it to most any recipe that uses cooked quinoa, without conflicting flavors. Other quinoa recipes are coming soon!
Recipe can be made ahead!
VIDEO
How to Cook Quinoa (Basic Recipe) Perfectly Every Time!
Blog Comments & Tips
Perfectly Cooked Every Time!
Have you ever made quinoa and it turned out gummy, soupy, or undercooked? I have, and there is nothing more frustrating than to scrap a recipe and start over. I’ve tried recipes that use more or less water, simmer for more or less time, some recipes rest the quinoa and some don’t, and each produces completely different results (often not so favorable). After some experimentation, I finally settled on the perfect formula for How to Cook Quinoa perfectly every time!
This easy step by step recipe shows you how to make foolproof quinoa. I consider this a foundation recipe (sort of like a plain rice recipe). Our basic quinoa recipe is only lightly seasoned with salt. It has a neutral flavor that makes it easy to combine with other recipes that have a variety of flavor profiles (like our Greek Salad with Quinoa).
Think of this plain quinoa like a blank canvas, where you can add a variety of other ingredients to the cooked quinoa to give it lots of flavor. It’s great at room temperature in lettuce based salads or veggie salads, or tossed in your favorite vinaigrette with a few crisp veggies, or served warm as a side dish. Whether you use tri-color, white, black, or red quinoa, there are a number of ways to season and flavor this basic quinoa. Take a look at the Pimp My Recipe Ideas section below for my recommendations.
Now you have the recipe, ingredients, and equipment, but how do you ensure the best results from our recipe?
Our 5 tips for How to Cook Quinoa and making it perfect every time:
I prefer using Trader Joe’s brand of organic tri-color quinoa. This recipe will also work very well with white, black, or red quinoa.
Rinse quinoa thoroughly in cold tap water, but make sure to use filtered water for cooking the quinoa, because the minerals in tap water will alter the flavor of the quinoa during the cooking process.
Use a timer. For perfectly cooked quinoa, timing is extremely important. Simmer on low for exactly 15 minutes, and rest for only 10 minutes covered. More or less time at either stage will alter the results.
As soon as the quinoa has rested for 10 minutes, immediately fluff with a Fiskie (or fork). If you leave it covered or “unfluffed” it will become gummy.
If making ahead of time, make sure to cool the quinoa completely before storing in an airtight container and refrigerating.
It’s time to customize and Pimp My Recipe.
Pimp My Recipe Ideas:
Make it a Little More Flavorful: Replace filtered water with the same amount of low sodium vegetable or chicken stock, and reduce the kosher salt to ¼ teaspoon. Taste when done, and adjust for seasoning, if needed.
Make it a Hearty Side Dish: Sauté onions and garlic, then use low sodium vegetable or chicken stock instead of filtered water, and reduce the kosher salt to ¼ teaspoon. Taste when done, and adjust for seasoning, if needed. After fluffing the quinoa, stir in a variety of sautéed vegetables.
Make it a Salad: Try my Greek Salad with Quinoa for a hearty vegetarian meal, or flavorful side dish. I used this basic quinoa recipe to complete the Greek Salad with Quinoa (more quinoa recipes coming soon!).
Enjoy and let me know what you think by commenting below, rating our recipes, subscribing, following, and liking on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok! Don’t forget to subscribe to get updates on new recipes and tips & tricks.
Happy Cooking!
Mich
Footnote: Remember to use a timer and follow the timing in the instructions down to the minute.
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