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Basic Quinoa Recipe

A foolproof recipe for making perfect, fluffy quinoa for adding to salads, stir-fries, bowls, and even breakfast dishes and so much more.

Cook Time
0 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 172 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Others
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa (tricolor, red, white or black)
  • 1 3/4 cups water (vegetable broth or chicken broth)
  • salt (optional to taste)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Rinse the quinoa: Put the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer, and rinse thoroughly with cool water. While rinsing, rub the quinoa with your hands. This step is to remove the natural coating of quinoa, called saponin, which can make it taste bitter or soapy.
  2. Toast the quinoa (optional): You can toast the quinoa in a skillet for a few minutes before cooking it to get a nuttier flavor. Heat a bit of olive oil or butter over medium heat, then add your drained quinoa. Cook, stirring, for about 1-2 minutes, until it starts to smell fragrant.
  3. Cook the quinoa: In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa, water and salt (or broth). Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it's boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover. Let it simmer 20 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed. Check it occasionally to prevent burning and add more water if needed.
  4. Let it rest: Once the quinoa has absorbed all the water and it's cooked, remove the pot from heat and let it sit, covered, for about 5 to 10 minutes. This step allows the quinoa to steam and makes it fluffier.
  5. Fluff it with a fork: After it's rested, uncover and fluff the quinoa gently with a fork to separate the grains.

Notes

  • You can store it in the refrigerator up to 4 days. This recipe yields 4 cups.
  • You can store it in the refrigerator up to 4 days. This recipe yields 4 cups.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cup (cooked) Calories 172kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 31g (10%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 3g (5%) Sodium 3.4mg (0%) Fiber 3g (12%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 172

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cup (cooked)
Calories 172kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 31g 10%
Protein 6g 12%
Fat 3g 5%
Sodium 3.4mg 0%
Fiber 3g 12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.