cook dinner quinoa completely so it is able to use in your favourite quinoa recipes. The easiest way to cook dinner quinoa is on the range, however I’m additionally sharing strategies for cooking it within the microwave, On the spot Pot, and utilizing your rice cooker!

It took me some time to fall in love with quinoa. This straightforward stovetop quinoa recipe is what did it for me. The quinoa cooks as much as be gentle and fluffy with out being mushy or bitter. Our quinoa recipe takes 25 to half-hour, so that you’ll have gentle and fluffy quinoa very quickly!
Whereas the stovetop is my most popular methodology, since sharing this recipe and some reader requests, we’ve added three extra strategies for cooking quinoa: within the microwave, On the spot Pot, and a rice cooker. I really like all of our quinoa recipes on the weblog, however listed here are are few favorites: my favourite quinoa salad, this quinoa black bean salad, and this vegetarian chili!
Key Components
- Quinoa: Pronounced “keen-wah,” quinoa is a nutritious grain-like seed with a nutty taste originating within the Andes in South America. Quinoa is excessive in protein, with over 8 grams per cup. They might be little seeds, however they pack a nutrient punch and are a superb supply of vitamins similar to manganese, magnesium, folate, and iron (learn extra in regards to the well being advantages of quinoa right here).
- Water to Quinoa Ratio: When cooking quinoa, the best quinoa-to-water ratio is 2:1. For each cup, it is best to use 2 cups of water. One cup of raw quinoa will make 3 cups of cooked quinoa. Swap the water for broth or inventory so as to add taste to your quinoa. I really like this selfmade veggie broth or hen broth.

Cook dinner Quinoa
Step 1: Rinse your quinoa. I all the time rinse quinoa earlier than cooking it, eradicating the pure saponin coating that may make it style bitter and soapy. While you rinse it nicely earlier than cooking, it helps to scale back the saponin and produce a scrumptious nutty taste. Some packages could also be labeled with ‘pre-rinsed,’ however since we’re delicate to saponin, we nonetheless desire to rinse it earlier than cooking.


Step 2: Mix the rinsed quinoa and liquid in a medium saucepan. Deliver the combination to a boil, then scale back the warmth so the liquid is at a low simmer. I don’t cowl the saucepan with a lid, which helps the quinoa cook dinner as much as be gentle and fluffy.
Step 3: Cook dinner the quinoa at a low simmer till all of the liquid has absorbed. This can take 10 to fifteen minutes. When the liquid is absorbed, slide the pan off the warmth and canopy with a lid for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, use a fork to fluff the cooked quinoa, then use it in your favourite recipes.
For microwave, On the spot Pot, or rice cooker strategies, see the recipe under.


Methods to Use Quinoa
Cook dinner Quinoa Completely
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PREP
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TOTAL
This straightforward stovetop quinoa recipe is what did it for me. The quinoa cooks as much as be gentle and fluffy with out being mushy or bitter. Use water or add extra taste with broth. I really like this veggie broth or selfmade hen broth.
Whereas the stovetop is my most popular methodology, since sharing this recipe and some reader requests, we’ve added three extra strategies for cooking quinoa under: within the microwave, On the spot Pot, and a rice cooker.
Makes 3 cups
Instructions
- Cook dinner Quinoa on the Range
1Add quinoa to a positive mesh strainer, then rinse beneath cool water for 30 seconds to a minute. Alternatively, add the quinoa to a bowl and canopy with cool water. Transfer the quinoa across the bowl, drain the water, and repeat.
2Shake the quinoa of any extra liquid. Mix the rinsed quinoa and water (or inventory) in a medium saucepan over medium-high warmth. Deliver to a boil, then scale back to a low simmer and cook dinner, uncovered, till the liquid is absorbed by the quinoa, 10 to fifteen minutes. In case you are making a bigger batch of quinoa, this may occasionally take nearer to twenty minutes.
3Transfer the saucepan off of the warmth and canopy for five minutes. This further time permits the quinoa to steam and “fluff up.” Uncover, after which fluff the quinoa with a fork.
- Cook dinner Quinoa within the Microwave
1Mix 1 cup of rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water (or broth) in a microwave-safe bowl. Cowl the bowl with a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on excessive till the liquid degree has diminished by about half, about 6 minutes.
2Fastidiously take away the bowl from the microwave (will probably be sizzling!). Stir the quinoa. Cowl the bowl once more and let it stand for five to 10 minutes or till all of the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and luxuriate in!
- Cook dinner Quinoa in an On the spot Pot
1You’ll want much less water when cooking quinoa in an On the spot Pot than different strategies. A 1:1 ratio of quinoa to water is often good. Flippantly coat the underside and sides of the stress cooker with cooking spray. Add 1 cup of rinsed quinoa and 1 cup of water or broth to the stress cooker. Stir nicely to stop the quinoa from sticking to the underside.
2Safe the lid and set the stress cooker to HIGH stress. Cook dinner for 1 minute. Let the stress launch naturally for 12 minutes. Fastidiously open the lid and fluff the quinoa with a fork.
- Cook dinner Quinoa in a Rice Cooker
1Flippantly coat the internal pot of the rice cooker with cooking spray. Add 1 cup of rinsed quinoa and a pair of cups of water or broth to the rice cooker. Stir nicely to stop the quinoa from sticking to the underside.
2Safe the lid. Choose the “white rice” setting in case your rice cooker has one; in any other case, use the common cooking cycle. As soon as the cooking cycle is full, let the quinoa sit within the rice cooker for about 10 minutes with the lid closed. This enables the steam to complete cooking the quinoa. Fluff the quinoa with a fork earlier than serving.
Adam and Joanne’s Suggestions
- Storing ideas: Retailer cooked quinoa in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Or freeze for as much as 2 months.
- Extra taste: Stir olive oil, coconut oil, or butter into the cooked quinoa. Fold in chopped contemporary herbs like parsley, chives, or cilantro. Squeeze contemporary lemon juice or lime juice on prime.
- The diet information supplied under are estimates.
Vitamin Per Serving
Serving Measurement
3/4 cup cooked
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Energy
156
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Complete Fats
2.6g
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Saturated Fats
0.3g
/
Ldl cholesterol
0mg
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Sodium
45.6mg
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Carbohydrate
27.3g
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Dietary Fiber
3g
/
Complete Sugars
0g
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Protein
6g