Top 10 Best Quinoa Recipes (2024)

Tiny, bead-shaped, with a slightly bitter flavor and firm texture, quinoa can easily become your favorite ingredient in every recipe. This delicious grain is high in protein and lacks gluten too, so, it is a perfect choice for everybody and it is good for every healthy diet.

Besides these characteristics, you can mix it with a big number of different kinds of foods like chicken, turkey, seafood, mushrooms, vegetables, and many more, there are no limits. Because of that fact we have made a fantastic list of the top 10 best specialties with quinoa for you to try and make some in your own kitchen. Enjoy!

Sesame Chicken with Quinoa

Top 10 Best Quinoa Recipes (1)

Recipe viagimmesomeoven.com

Sesame, soya sauce, and ginger are some of the extraordinary ingredients in this recipe. Highly Asian influenced, this makes it a super dish, reasonably low in carb but super high in protein. It is a great thing to know that meal will contain clean carbs without any refined sugar but honey instead. The flavors are going to be spectacular and something rather simple to come up with bagging lots of flavors. Lovely family dinner.

Saucy Sautéed Shrimp Over Lemon Quinoa

Top 10 Best Quinoa Recipes (2)

Recipe viathekitchn.com

This next recipe literally contains almost no fat at all, apart from the three spoons of butter. Perfect dish for those wishing to focus on a potential weight loss regime, without affecting the loss in flavor! The lemon really comes through balancing the natural sweetness of the prawns. This is a perfect dish for lunch alongside a nice glass of white wine with friends. Perfect getting ready for the warmer months.

Quinoa Burgers

Top 10 Best Quinoa Recipes (3)

Recipe via bettycrocker.com

Burgers nowadays have been in an uproar, fighting to tell us that they are not necessarily unhealthy. This is one of the healthiest burgers known, full of flavors. Perfect for those wishing to cut down on meat or simply, vegetarian. Vegans will also love this recipe for its high in natural protein without animal fat associated with it. Any oils can be used depending on your preference that could be more or else even healthier. Make yourself a lovely salad on the side and you’re good to go.

Quinoa Mushroom Pilaf

Top 10 Best Quinoa Recipes (4)

Recipe via plantbasedcooking.com

This mushroom quinoa pilaf recipe is massively packed with protein and flavor and it can be the star of your lunch or dinner meal. And, it is no way your typical pilaf dish. The addition of a vinaigrette dressing makes it more like a salad so if you are looking for a traditional pilaf, leave off the dressing. Quinoa comes from the spinach family, which means it provides all the essential amino acids we need for good health. Chicken pieces can most definitely be added or even a good piece of grilled salmon for those wishing to indulge in a little meat or fish.

Butternut Squash Chili With Quinoa

Top 10 Best Quinoa Recipes (5)

Recipe viapeachesanddonuts.blogspot.com

Something delicious and something bite-size for the entire family to share and adore. We love butternut and especially so within the colder months. This recipe is quick and easy to do. If you’re a little chefy, we would recommend whacking the whole butternut squash in the oven for roughly an hour and a half on a baking tray to get the maximum flavor out of it. One could also drizzle a little honey to caramelize it prior to serving. Finger delicious. The kids would love it, and it’s packed with so much goodness.

Skillet Mexican Quinoa

Top 10 Best Quinoa Recipes (6)

Recipe via makingthymeforhealth.com

Black beans are some of the favorites in Mexico and some might say important to their diet. Mixing black beans with quinoa was the next natural step and something becoming rather traditional. The unique nutty flavor of the beans naturally suits the naturally nutty flavors of the quinoa. A perfect vegan alternative as it does not contain any animal fat or traces. Although super mega healthy, it is also very hearty and perfect for lunch.

Quinoa And Turkey Patties In Pita With Tahini Sauce

Top 10 Best Quinoa Recipes (7)

Recipe via marthastewart.com

This recipe is sure to send you to the Middle East in no time! A sort of Kebbeh so to speak in pita bread. Once again, a rather quick and efficient recipe to make at home your friends and family would forever love. Tahini has always been a favorite of hours and not just great in hummus but alongside these delicious little patties. If you fancy yourself a bit of a connoisseur, then by all means try your homemade pita bread. This really would take it to another level.

Moroccan Steamed Salmon With Quinoa And Carrots

Top 10 Best Quinoa Recipes (8)

Recipe via marthastewart.com

How we love Morrocan food and how we love pesto. But here is another version of the green goddess perfect for your pasta, and a healthy one to top it off. A beautiful summer dish bringing even more sunshine into your home. This dish is a great way to slowly introduce everything green to your children and is perfect for their growth. It is super healthy too which everyone will thank you for. It has almost all the nutrients your body requires in one plate.

Fried Quinoa Rice with Vegetables and Chicken

Top 10 Best Quinoa Recipes (9)

Recipe via wellplated.com

Quinoa Fried Rice is essentially the same idea as regular fried rice, just replace the cooked rice with cooked quinoa. This recipe goes excellent with shrimps or as a vegetarian version try with Crispy Tofu. A key element to making this Quinoa Fried Rice tasty and satisfying enough to be a full meal is protein. Perfect if you’re working out and requiring a lot of iron, potassium, and protein. This dish has so much flavor it’ll make you go for seconds.

Roasted Ratatouille and Quinoa

Top 10 Best Quinoa Recipes (10)

Recipe via lastingredient.com

One of the most famous dishes of the Provence area of France but also world known, ratatouille boasts vegetable flavors like no other. Usually served alongside lamb and boiled potatoes, it is very versatile yet can be healthy, but paired with quinoa tops up the healthy scale. Grilled vegetables are a great way to get the most out of their natural sugars, making them naturally sweet with a beautiful nutty aftertaste. This is a dish that will be one of your favorites to make at home for everyone to enjoy.

Top 10 Best Quinoa Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to quinoa to make it taste good? ›

Serving suggestions: I love to stir a drizzle of olive oil and clove of garlic into warm quinoa for extra flavor. Other options include chopped fresh spinach or arugula, or massaged kale. Fresh herbs and/or dried spices are nice, as well as grated or crumbled cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, pitted and sliced olives, etc.

What is the best way to eat quinoa? ›

Once you've made a batch of quinoa, you have endless options for using it. Make it the base of your next grain bowl, toss it into a salad, or stuff it into squash or sweet potatoes. It's also at home in soups & wraps, and it pairs nicely with sweet flavors as well as savory.

What makes quinoa better? ›

Higher in fiber than many grains

Another important benefit of quinoa is its high fiber content. A 1-cup (185-gram) serving of cooked quinoa contains 5.18 grams of fiber. That's about 18% of the current 28-gram DV ( 4 ). Quinoa contains more fiber than several other popular grains, like brown rice.

How long does it take to cook 1 cup of quinoa? ›

The cooking time can vary slightly, but it should take 10–20 minutes. When you start with 1 cup of dry quinoa, your quinoa should completely absorb the water in about 15 minutes.

What happens if you don't rinse quinoa? ›

It wasn't a huge difference in texture, but definitely noticeable. Rinsing quinoa definitely starts to hydrate the seeds. Flavor – In terms of flavor, the unrinsed quinoa definitely had a nuttier, earthier flavor, but I didn't find it bitter at all. The rinsed quinoa was definitely milder and the flavors more muted.

Why should you soak quinoa before cooking? ›

*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).

What's better rice or quinoa? ›

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.

Should you toast quinoa before cooking? ›

If you've never toasted quinoa, you may be surprised by the depth of flavor and delightful texture this simple step can add to your favorite gluten-free ancient grain. Whether it's part of the process or the entire cooking method, toasting can turn your quinoa into a brand-new culinary sensation.

What can I mix with quinoa? ›

13 Ways To Add More Flavor To Quinoa
  1. Cook it in broth instead of water. ...
  2. Dress it with a vinaigrette. ...
  3. Mix cooked quinoa with caramelized onions. ...
  4. Infuse it with dried fruit and fruit scraps. ...
  5. Add oil and salt to cooked quinoa. ...
  6. Toast uncooked quinoa. ...
  7. Don't skimp on the garlic. ...
  8. Season your water with spices.
Jul 21, 2023

How does quinoa burn belly fat? ›

How Quinoa Helps In Weight Loss? Rich dietary fibre and protein increase metabolism, and that makes quinoa good for weight loss. Cooked Quinoa contains five grams of dietary fibre per cup. Eating high fibre foods is often the missing piece when a person is trying to shed weight.

What does quinoa do to your gut? ›

Studies suggest quinoa may improve gut health by enhancing the diversity of beneficial gut bacteria and reducing the inflammatory symptoms of conditions like colitis. Acting as a prebiotic, quinoa supplies the fuel for beneficial gut bacteria, allowing them to thrive.

Is quinoa better for you than Oatmeal? ›

It is high in proteins and fiber and enriched with antioxidants that help in making the immune system stronger. You are advised to consume quinoa more in comparison to oats as quinoa will provide more health benefits in low calories.

Is quinoa a carb or protein? ›

Quinoa is considered a carbohydrate because it contains many carbs per serving. Although it contains some protein, the macronutrient distribution is closer to what you find in other grains and starches.

Is quinoa good for high blood pressure? ›

Quinoa also has a low glycemic index, making it a great addition to a blood pressure management diet. One animal study published in Nutrients found that quinoa protein intake was associated with a reduction in blood pressure and positively impacted the diversity of the gut microbiota.

How do you keep quinoa from getting mushy? ›

The ratio I've had success with every single time is 1 cup quinoa to 1 3/4 cups water. Many boxes call for a 1:2 ratio, which I've found is more likely to result in an overcooked, gummy pot of quinoa.

Is it better to soak quinoa before cooking? ›

In short, no, you don't need to soak quinoa. However, doing so is said to remove phytic acid, which may make it easier for people to digest quinoa. If you just want to remove the bitter flavor from quinoa, rinse it under cold water for about a minute.

Why does my quinoa turn out mushy? ›

One Part Quinoa to Two Parts Water

It all comes down to texture. Add too little water and your grains may burn on the bottom of the pot before they cook through. Add too much water and you'll end up with soggy, overcooked, and mushy grains.

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