Easy to cook, nutrient-dense, and incredibly versatile, quinoa is a simple ingredient I always keep on hand. Whether you're making it as a quick side dish or tossing it into a salad, learning how to cook quinoa in just a few simple steps opens the door to so many easy meal ideas.
Personally, I love preparing a batch of quinoa at the start of the week to make lunches a little easier. It's perfect for tossing together with simple proteins and a veggie or two for something light, fresh, and filling.
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Some of my favorite ways to use it are in this Chicken and Quinoa Salad and these Salmon Quinoa Bowls. Both are great for busy days when you want something delicious and satisfying without a lot of effort.
Do You Rinse Or Toast Quinoa?
Quinoa is delicious either way, whether you choose to rinse it or toast it before cooking. However, it's good to know that quinoa can sometimes have a slightly bitter flavor if it isn't rinsed or toasted first.
To rinse quinoa, simply run cold water over it for about 30 seconds before moving forward with the recipe. This helps wash away the natural coating, called saponin, that can cause bitterness.
Toasting quinoa is just as easy! Add the quinoa to a dry skillet over medium heat and toast it until it's golden brown and smells nutty. This extra step brings out a wonderful, nutty flavor that you won't get from rinsing alone.
How To Cook Quinoa
When it comes to flavor, I highly recommend cooking quinoa in chicken stock instead of water. The quinoa soaks up the savory flavor, which makes this basic side dish taste even better.
1. Rinse the quinoa in cold water for 30 seconds. Strain and add to a medium saucepan.
2. Pour in the chicken stock and season with salt. Bring to a boil, cover and turn the heat to low. Continue cooking for 15 minutes.
3. After 15 minutes turn off the heat, let set for 10 minutes then remove the cover and fluff. Enjoy!
Quinoa is delicious served warm as a side dish or chilled and tossed into a salad. It pairs well with just about anything, from roasted veggies like my Roasted Cauliflower to simple proteins like pork or chicken. Once you start cooking with it, you'll love how easy and versatile it is.
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📖 Recipe
How to Cook Quinoa
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 ¾ cup chicken stock
- ½-1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Rinse and drain quinoa.
- Add the rinsed quinoa to a medium saucepan. Add the chicken stock and salt to the pan and bring to a boil. Cover, turn the heat to low and cook for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, remove the pan from the heat and let the quinoa sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Uncover and fluff. Enjoy!
Tips For Meal Prepping Quinoa
- Double the recipe if you're meal prepping to make a larger batch.
- After cooking, spread the quinoa out on a sheet tray to cool quickly.
- Store cooled quinoa in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
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