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Emily Han
Emily Han
Emily Han is a Los Angeles-based recipe developer, educator, herbalist, and author of Wild Drinks & co*cktails and co-author of Wild Remedies. For recipes and classes, check out her personal site.
updated Apr 7, 2023
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Here's how to cook great quinoa — not mushy or bitter, but delicate and perfectly fluffy.
Serves4 to 6Makesabout 3 cupsPrep5 minutesCook25 minutes to 30 minutesreviews
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Quinoa has come a long way — all the way from the back shelves of health food stores to national supermarket aisles. Its high protein content, sweet and nutty flavor, and delicate texture have made quinoa a popular whole grain substitute for starchier pasta and rice (although once you try it, you’re not likely to think of it as a “substitute” again!). Quinoa is an easy grain to love.
Several of us here at Kitchn like to make a big pot of quinoa on the weekends and eat it throughout the week with curry, grilled vegetables, or braised meat. It’s one of the most delicious, fast-cooking lunch staples we know. Here’s how to cook great quinoa — not mushy or bitter, but delicate and perfectly fluffy.
What Is Quinoa?
Cultivated in the Andes for over 5,000 years, quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) has been called “the mother grain” and “the gold of the Incas.” Technically, it’s not a grain but a seed, although it is used in virtually all the same ways as other whole grains.
The popularity of quinoa has grown steadily over the years, as people have discovered its pleasant nutty taste and superfood qualities. As a complete protein source also high in iron, magnesium, and fiber, quinoa is not only one of our healthiest pantry staples, but also one that’s incredibly easy and quick to cook.
Which Quinoa to Buy?
I’ve read that there are 1,800 (!) varieties of quinoa, but there are three main types found in markets in the U.S.: white, red, and black. White quinoa has the most neutral, easy-to-love flavor — start with this one if you’ve never tried quinoa before. Red and black quinoa both have their own distinct personalities, and I find them to be a little bolder and earthier in flavor than white quinoa. They’re fun in salads or other dishes where their color really pops!
The standard cooking method outlined below will work for any kind of quinoa you find.
Should You Rinse Quinoa?
The short answer is yes, you should rinse quinoa before cooking. Quinoa has a natural coating, called saponin, that can make the cooked grain taste bitter or soapy. Luckily, it’s easy to get rid of this coating by rinsing the quinoa just before cooking. Boxed quinoa is often pre-rinsed, but it doesn’t hurt to give the seeds an additional rinse at home. Some cookbooks suggest soaking the quinoa, but in our experience this is unnecessary.
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What Can I Do with Quinoa?
30+ Easy Recipes to Make with Quinoa
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Use quinoa just as you would any other grain, like rice or barley! It makes a fantastic side dish for almost any meal — especially if you cook it with broth instead of water and add a bay leaf to the pot. I like serving it as a bed for stews or baked fish. Quinoa can also be used in casseroles, breakfast porridges, and salads.
Take a look some of our favorite quinoa recipes below for ideas to get you started:
- Quinoa with Chickpeas, Asparagus, and Fresh Peas
- Black Bean, Sweet Potato, and Quinoa Chili
- Black Bean And Heirloom Tomato Quinoa with Lemon Dressing
- More Delicious Quinoa Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions About Quinoa
From typical cooking time to the best grain to liquid ratio, we’ve answered the most common questions when it comes to quinoa.
How much cooked quinoa does one cup dry quinoa yield?
One cup dry quinoa yields about three cups cooked quinoa.
How much liquid do I need to cook quinoa?
To cook one cup quinoa, you need 1 3/4 cups liquid.
How long does it take to cook quinoa?
One cup quinoa will cook in about 20 minutes.
How do I make quinoa less bitter?
Nearly, if not all, of the natural bitterness of quinoa’s outer coating can be removed by a vigorous rinsing in a mesh strainer.
What ingredients do I need to cook quinoa?
For the most basic version you. need dried quinoa, water or broth, oil (like olive oil), and salt.
How do I make better-tasting quinoa?
Quinoa is really excellent when cooked in vegetable or chicken broth. Also, add about 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt to each cup dried quinoa when cooking. Try adding other spices and aromatics during cooking as well, like a clove of smashed garlic, a sprig of fresh rosemary, or a dash of black pepper.
Can I use my rice cooker to make quinoa?
Yes! Just use the same liquid-to-quinoa ratio and follow the instructions on your rice cooker.
How can I tell when the quinoa is fully cooked?
You should see tiny spirals (the germ) separating from and curling around the quinoa seeds.
How To Cook Quinoa
Here's how to cook great quinoa — not mushy or bitter, but delicate and perfectly fluffy.
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 25 minutes to 30 minutes
Makes about 3 cups
Serves 4 to 6
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 1 cup
uncooked quinoa (any variety — white or golden, red, or black)
- 1 teaspoon
olive oil
- 1 3/4 cups
water or low-sodium broth
- 1/2 teaspoon
kosher salt
Equipment
Fine-mesh strainer
2-quart saucepan with lid
Spoon
Instructions
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Rinse the quinoa. Place the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer. Rinse thoroughly under cool, running water. Rub and swish the quinoa with your hand while rinsing. Drain.
Toast the quinoa in a saucepan. Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the drained quinoa and cook, stirring constantly, to let the water evaporate and toast the quinoa, about 2 minutes.
Add liquid and bring to a boil. Stir in the water or broth and the salt. Bring to a rolling boil.
Lower heat and cook, covered, for 15 minutes. Turn the heat down to the lowest setting. Cover and cook for 15 minutes.
Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove the pot from heat and let stand for 5 more minutes, covered. Don't peek!
Fluff and eat! Uncover — You should see tiny spirals (the germ) separating from and curling around the quinoa seeds. Fluff the quinoa gently with a fork and serve. If any liquid remains in the bottom of the pan or if the quinoa is still a bit crunchy, return the pot to low heat and cook, covered, for another 5 minutes, until all the water has been absorbed.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Leftover quinoa can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
Tester’s Notes
Many readers found that our original recipe, which called for 1 cup quinoa and 2 cups water, resulted in a gummy product. After testing the original as well as multiple other quinoa-to-water ratios, I discovered that 1 cup quinoa to 1 3/4 cups water is the perfect ratio for perfectly fluffy quinoa. We have updated the recipe to reflect the change.
–Grace, August 2018
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Dairy-Free
easy
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Gluten-Free
Healthy Living
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