Delicious & Easy Quinoa Recipe (It's What the Cool Kids Are Doing!) (2024)

FAQs

What is the trick to cooking quinoa? ›

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. Let it steam with the lid on to finish absorbing any excess the water. Some water evaporates while cooking with the pot uncovered, so the cooked quinoa does not get soggy or clumpy.

What can I add to quinoa after it's cooked? In addition to more of the spices, salt and pepper, or squeeze of citrus, fresh herbs such as cilantro, basil, and mint work beautifully with this spiced quinoa.

*Soaking grains helps to remove some of the naturally occurring phytic acid in the grain, which helps improve digestibility and speed cook time. To soak: Rinse quinoa thoroughly then add to a large mixing bowl or pot and cover with twice the amount of lukewarm water (2 cups water, 1 cup quinoa).

Some recipes call for as high as a 2:1 water to grain ratio, while others go as low as 1 1/2:1. In my experience, the sweet spot for light, fluffy quinoa is right in the middle. I use 1 3/4 cups water for every cup of quinoa. Any more water, and the quinoa gets mushy.

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).

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.

I also love to flavor it with fresh garlic and herbs such as parsley, dill, and cilantro. You can add the seasonings of your choice into the pot at the same time with the liquid and cook it as directed. Alternatively, you can also add them in after your quinoa is cooked.

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.

Some people are particularly sensitive to saponins, which is why unrinsed cooked quinoa has a reputation for tasting bitter. However, most quinoa that is sold in packages has been "pre-rinsed," which means the saponins have been removed and rinsing isn't necessary.

If overcooked, quinoa can become mushy and unappealing, especially in salads where you want it to have some texture and nuttiness. The tips below will assist you in creating fluffy quinoa with a bit of chewiness, perfect for salads.

Do you cook quinoa covered or uncovered? ›

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.

White, red, or black? They're pretty much all the same nutritionally—so go with what tastes best to you, says Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN, owner of Nutrition Starring You, LCC. White quinoa is the least bitter of the three, while red and black have a chewier texture that holds up better in cold dishes like salads.

Toast to Maximize Flavor

For every 1 1/2 cups quinoa, heat 1 tablespoon of a neutral oil, like canola (not olive oil), in a skillet over medium-low heat. Stay vigilant: Stir the grains constantly to avoid burning, watching for that perfect golden moment, around 6 to 8 minutes.

Quinoa To Water Ratio

We say 1 ½ cups of liquid (water or broth) to 1 cup of quinoa. This is a GAME CHANGER in the world of fluffy quinoa. Soggy, mushy quinoa is almost always the result when using the 2:1 water to quinoa ratio, but perfect, fluffy quinoa is the consistent outcome when using the 1½:1 ratio.

Some people are particularly sensitive to saponins, which is why unrinsed cooked quinoa has a reputation for tasting bitter. However, most quinoa that is sold in packages has been "pre-rinsed," which means the saponins have been removed and rinsing isn't necessary.

In an Instant Pot, add rinsed and drained quinoa and water or broth at a 1:1.75 ratio (1 cup quinoa to 1.75 cups water) , then cook at high pressure for a minute. Then, use natural release to steam the quinoa for about 10 more minutes, until the Instant Pot's float valve drops. Then, fluff and serve.