Cooking quinoa isn’t difficult. While you might be tempted to bust out the instant pot or slow cooker, it’s actually quite easy to cook quinoa on the stove top. Use it in such quinoa recipes as Quinoa Salad or Quinoa Egg Bites.
This gluten free pseudocereal is a like a grain, like a seed, but not really either. That said, it is a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. Learn to cook quinoa perfectly so you can make it a regular part of your meal planning.
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With prices rising on groceries, it’s nice to find foods that do double duty. You know the frugal foods that act as a protein as well as a side dish. Beans and rice can do that and so can quinoa.
It’s naturally gluten-free and a complete protein. Since it’s plant-based, it’s an ideal ingredient that can work for everyone at your table. Learning to cook perfect quinoa will make that process easier.
Why Make This
It’s easy. I regularly cook quinoa on the stove to use in lunchtime meal prep as well as to add to salads or serve as a side dish at dinner.
It’s versatile. Fluffy quinoa can stand in for rice in a number of dishes, as a side, a base for bowl meals, or a salad ingredient. Stir cooked quinoa into egg bakes, casseroles, or soups. You can also use it in stuffed peppers or zucchini.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to cook quinoa on the stove:
dry quinoa – I buy mine from Costco which is already rinsed. If you don’t rinse quinoa, it will have a bitter taste. You can rinse it with cold water through a fine mesh sieve until the water runs clear or buy it pre-rinsed.
water or broth – You can use water or broth, the latter will obviously give it more flavor. There is a ratio of 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water or other cooking liquid.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In a pot combine 1 cup quinoa with 2 cups water and ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for 15 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Remove the lid and cover the pot with a paper towel or tea towel. Let set for 12 minutes. Remove the lid and towel and fluff with fork.
- Serve hot, warm, or cold.
Variations:
- If you’d like to make a pilaf, sauté the pseudo-cereal in some olive oil or butter until a bit toasty, then add the cooking liquid.
- Traditionally, quinoa is served for breakfast with honey.
FAQs
You don’t have to soak it, but it does need to be rinsed well. Save yourself the hassle and purchase pre-rinsed quinoa.
Quinoa does have a unique taste, some would describe it as bland. You can liven it up by cooking it with broth or adding spices, garlic, onion, or some healthy fat. It’s an ideal base for breakfast, buddha, or burrito bowls.
Prepared food is good for four days, refrigerated.
Cool the quinoa completely and transfer to a freezer-safe container or ziptop freezer bag. Remove all the air from the bag. Chill completely before storing in the freezer. Use within six weeks.
Uses
How to Cook Quinoa on the Stove
Equipment
- tea towel
Ingredients
- 2 cup water or broth
- 1 cup quinoa rinsed
- ½ teaspoon salt optional
Instructions
- In a pot combine quinoa with water and salt, if using. Bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for 15 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated.2 cup water, 1 cup quinoa, ½ teaspoon salt
- Remove the pot from the heat. Remove the lid and cover the pot with a paper towel or tea towel. Let set for 12 minutes. Remove the lid and towel and fluff with fork.
- Serve hot, warm, or cold.
Video
Notes
- If you’d like to make a pilaf, sauté the pseudo-cereal in some olive oil or butter until a bit toasty, then add the cooking liquid.
- Traditionally, quinoa is served for breakfast with honey.
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