How to Cook Quinoa

How to cook quinoa so it’s moist every time! Master the preparation of this whole grain as an easy side dish or healthy meal.

Here’s a whole grain that’s about as versatile as your favorite pair of shoes: Andean millet! This Andean seed has had a meteoric rise in the United States because it’s moist, flavorful, and fun to add to side dishes, salads, and bowls. But here’s the thing: Quinoa can be tricky to cook. It’s easy to come out damp and soaked. So here how to cook quinoa: a trick that makes it soft every time!

Everything you need to know about quinoa

Quinoa (KEEN-wah) is a South American grain first cultivated for food by the Incas in the Andes 7,000 years ago. It is indeed the seed of the Goosefoot Quinoa Plant, it is therefore called a “pseudo-cereal” because it is eaten like whole grain.

Quinoa is gluten-free and high in protein, calcium, vitamin B, and iron (learn more about nutritional benefits). In fact, the Incas believed that food was sacred because eating regularly seemed to ensure a long and healthy life. There are several types of quinoa, including:

• White
• Red
• Black
• tricolor (a mix of the three above)

How to cook quinoa

Most quinoa recipes recommend a ratio of 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water. After extensive testing, we found that getting mushy beans is easy with this method. That’s why we’ve developed a new quinoa/water ratio: give it a try 1 cup quinoa for 1 ¾ cup water. Bring it to a simmer and it results in fluffy grains that aren’t soggy. How to prepare quinoa:

• Rinse quinoa. Rinse under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer, then shake off the water. Why rinse quinoa? It reduces bitterness (it helps remove the natural coating called saponin) and in our experience helps cook more evenly.
• Cover and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes. In a saucepan with ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, combine 1 cup quinoa with 1 ¾ cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and simmer where the water is bubbling, about 15-18 minutes*, until the water is completely absorbed. Check by removing the seeds with a fork to see if any water remains.
• Let stand covered for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it steam with the lid on for 5 minutes, then stir the grains with a fork.

How long to cook quinoa?

Another note about the cooking times! Cooking time for quinoa will vary depending on the amount of dry grains in the pan and the high temperature.

• 1 cup dry quinoa Cooking over low heat usually takes between 15 and 18 minutes.
• 1 ½ cups to 2 cups dry quinoa can take between 17 and 20 minutes to cook.

ways to spice up

Some people are suspicious of quinoa: and with good reason! This grain can taste bland and bland if you don’t season it properly. Here are some ideas for flavoring quinoa:

The best quinoa recipes

What’s the best way to use quinoa in a meal? There are many ways to incorporate this grain into your daily meals. Here are some of our best ideas:

This quinoa recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.