19 Easy Leftover Quinoa Recipes: Dishes That Steal The Show (2024)

Wondering what to do with leftover quinoa? From quinoa fritters to salads, these leftover quinoa recipes make your extra ‘grain’ the star of the show!

Due to its edible seeds, quinoa is one of the most popular crops that originate in South America.

Though it isn’t technically a grain, it can be prepared and consumed similarly to rice and other grain varieties.

Related to beets and spinach, it can be grown and harvested to provide a rich and complete meal.

The most popular types of quinoa are white, black, and red, although many additional colors are available.

You’ll almost inevitably eat quinoa for the next few days once you cook a batch.

Because two cups of quinoa can produce six cups of the finished, fluffy product, the issue arises as to what on earth to do with all of it (leftovers!).

Let’s face it–your taste buds become bored after a few days of eating it as a side dish.

So we’ve gathered some of the most creative and delicious ways to use your leftover quinoa, expand your culinary horizons, and prevent any of the super quinoa chillin’ in your fridge from going to waste.

Nothing beats the Quinoa Breakfast Cookies as a sweet start to your day, the lovely Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers as a filling and vegan dish, or the surprisingly satiating recipe at #19!

Try these quick, flavorful vegetarian Quinoa Patties with an avocado yogurt dip when you need to use up leftover quinoa.

The precise measurements in this recipe aren’t very critical because this is pretty flexible and forgiving.

The short list of ingredients includes everyday household products that you probably already have, like eggs and cheese.

Likewise, adding ground chicken or turkey, olives, shredded carrots, grated zucchini, and mushrooms will make this dish incredibly delightful.

Start with the base recipe, and then you’re free to make adjustments as you like!

You can put almost anything in this quinoa bowl.

Banana adds a natural sweetness to these Warm Leftover Quinoa Breakfast Bowls.

This six-ingredient meal is ready in just 10 minutes and is loaded with berries, and seeds for a quick breakfast on the road during the week.

However, this recipe is different because instead of cooking the quinoa alongside the breakfast bowl, you simply add the leftover quinoa.

Use leftover white quinoa as the base, and then coat it with a wild berry blend and pumpkin seeds for a quick and wholesome meal.

On the other hand, this would also be delicious with some fresh berries, maple syrup, shredded coconut, and granola!

These quinoa pizza bites are an excellent way to use any leftover quinoa.

This is a terrific snack or appetizer that kids will love; it also looks adorable.

If you’re a fan of both quinoa and pizza, you’re in for a big treat with this.

You’ll only need cooked quinoa for this recipe; for added taste, try using quinoa that was cooked in chicken broth.

This dish has just a touch of parmesan, some mozzarella, and some tiny pepperonis.

You are welcome to include whatever toppings you like on your pizza.

Marinara sauce on the side will be even more delicious.

This recipe for leftover quinoa is perfect if you’re looking for a method to get your fussy eater kids to eat something new.

Leftover quinoa is transformed into patties that are bursting with flavors, thanks to the addition of broccoli, carrots, and onions.

Be as sparing as possible when adding cumin to the pan.

Increase the amount of cumin, red pepper flakes, or smoky paprika if you like a dish with a hearty heat.

Take these directly from the fridge and throw them in your kid’s lunchbox (or your own) because they are excellent, both hot and cold.

In about 20 minutes, you can have a better-for-you and satisfying stir-fried dinner in the Indian-Chinese style using leftover quinoa.

It’s kid-friendly and suitable for vegans, so it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or packed lunch.

Add as many vegetables as possible to this Quinoa Fried Rice, depending on your appetite.

Incorporate sriracha sauce or Manchurian gravy into this hearty quinoa and vegetable fried rice recipe and serve it alongside a bowl of soup.

This recipe is perfect for a family night because the appetizers are portable, cheesy, and versatile.

The simplicity and adaptability of the resulting Cheesy Quinoa Bites can make this a staple in your home and a go-to for every occasion.

Simply use some leftover cooked quinoa (or uncooked), an egg, some herbs and spices, some salt and pepper, and some shredded cheese.

Kids will adore the subtle flavor that the Italian seasoning brings to the dish.

The “cheesy” in “cheesy bites” comes from the shredded cheese, which is a must-have here.

While mozzarella would work in a pinch, sharp cheddar is what is best for a sumptuous overall aftertaste.

Start your day off right with these fluffy and light quinoa pancakes if you’ve never had them before.

Make a considerable amount and freeze it on hand for a quick weekday breakfast.

In addition, the pancakes are a beautiful golden color.

Accompany with fruit preserves, real maple syrup, or fresh berries.

This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad dish will potentially replace all other salads in your rotation.

It’s a beautiful meal-prep option for lunch or dinner, packed with fresh herbs, cucumbers, and roasted tomatoes.

If you want to save time putting it all together, roast the tomatoes ahead of time.

This is an excellent use for leftover quinoa, as the recipe requires it to be prepared ahead of time so it won’t warm the salad.

Quinoa and roasted tomatoes can be prepped up to 3 days ahead and kept in the refrigerator until needed.

If you’re looking for a decadent breakfast treat, these Quinoa Breakfast Cookies should be on your list.

They may be made quickly and are great for various meals, including dessert.

With such a short and simple list of ingredients, plus the cookie dough being ready in just a few minutes, these cookies will be so well-liked that you might want to double the recipe.

With leftover quinoa, you can throw these cookies together in a flash on a morning when you just don’t feel like doing anything.

It’s also incredibly adaptable, so feel free to try out a variety of exciting add-ins!

The quinoa salad here is light, crunchy, and wonderful.

Cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, chickpeas, parsley, garlicky olive oil, and lemon dressing are all required for this simple dish.

The salad’s combination of herbs, tomatoes, and bulgur will undoubtedly bring to mind tabouleh, a traditional Lebanese side dish.

In addition to being delicious, this quinoa salad dish is a cinch to throw together, mainly if you use any leftover quinoa.

This recipe is also one of the best ways to use any leftover quinoa you may have been wondering what to do with.

Pan-fried in olive oil until crisp and golden on both sides, these Crispy Quinoa Cakes are seasoned with fresh herbs, garlic, and parmesan cheese.

Instead of the bland granules of starch that other grains might be, the quinoa in these cakes adds a lovely nuttiness and flavor while contributing to the light, airy texture.

These cakes’ near-crispy bar texture can be attributed to the quinoa in the recipe.

The golden brown crunch on top and the airy texture of quinoa are both on display in these deliciously crunchy parmesan quinoa cakes.

The ingredients for these quinoa fritters are simple, but that just means there’s more room for innovation.

These fritters are a wholesome and tasty way to use any leftover quinoa in your kitchen.

Their adaptability is further highlighted by the fact that they may be used to make a meatless main dish, a delicious side dish, or a filling snack.

They may be prepared and ready to serve in less than half an hour with minimal effort.

If you want more grains in your diet, these Quinoa Patties are a fantastic and convenient solution.

Substitute your preferred herbs and vegetables, or serve them with your go-to sauce, as the recipe is easily adjustable to suit your preferences.

If you’ve got a bunch of bland quinoa sitting around, this is a great way to spice things up.

This Cheesy Quinoa is a fantastic way to use any leftover quinoa and is a delightful option for a gluten-free meal.

Quick and simple, this dish may stand alone as a side dish or serve as the basis for a more complex main dish with the addition of a few key ingredients.

This may be one of your major cupboard mainstays because it is versatile and can be prepared quickly and easily, and it also makes for easy delicious meals during hectic times.

For a cheap yet filling meal, try this Mexican quinoa dish made using pantry staples and leftovers.

This dish was inspired by the need to use up some extra quinoa in the fridge, and the result was spectacular.

Requiring only one pan to cook, this delicious meal is packed with plant-based protein and can be tailored to suit any taste.

Prepare it quickly for a satisfying vegetarian supper, a simple appetizer for the big game, or a tasty addition to the family’s lunchbox.

Nothing can go wrong with this delicious and simple dish made with quinoa, chicken, and cheddar.

It’s an uncomplicated dish bursting with flavor yet still wholesome enough to eat to your heart’s content.

Precooked or leftover chicken and quinoa make this dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner when you just want to throw everything in one skillet.

The herbs and spices are sauteed in a skillet, then added to a big bowl with the cooked quinoa, shredded chicken, peppers, and cilantro, and the whole thing is transferred into a baking dish and topped with the cheddar cheese.

And there you have it—your lip-smacking cheddar chicken quinoa!

Breakfast muffins are always appreciated, but these Chocolate Banana Quinoa Muffins are muffins you’ll want to bake again and again.

There is no oil or gluten in these muffins.

They are great for using up any extra quinoa in the fridge.

Dark chocolate, with its more profound, intense flavor, will more than sate your desire for cocoa.

Also, the sweetness of the bananas is spot-on.

Rich in dark chocolate and sprinkled with melty chocolate chips, these muffins burst with goodness.

This is another muffin recipe for leftover quinoa.

These egg muffins with quinoa and spinach are a wholesome, convenient, and portable breakfast option that can be prepared in advance and frozen for a speedy meal or snack on the road.

Since the muffins are vegetarian and gluten-free, they are perfect for Christmas morning or as part of a brunch buffet.

You might also try adding some sliced bell pepper, some chopped asparagus, or some diced tomato.

Or if you’re not concerned about being vegetarian, you can serve breakfast sausage or bacon with it.

This mouthwatering dinner meal is ready in just 15 minutes after adding some eggs, spinach, carrot, garlic, and scallions.

This straightforward meal for dinner is free of gluten and provides a lot of satisfaction.

In addition, the dish is pretty adaptable; you can prepare it with or without chicken, with peas or green beans, and with whatever other veggies you have lying around the house.

You could also make this dish using shrimp, or in case you want to make it vegetarian or vegan, sauté some tofu before adding the rest of the ingredients.

Quick and easy to prepare in advance, this breakfast dish with quinoa, blueberry, and cinnamon is a beautiful replacement for traditional oatmeal.

Cooked quinoa, almond milk, blueberries, maple syrup, cinnamon, and a dash of salt come together in a microwave-friendly meal that tastes great.

You can even make the ingredients the night before; it’s easy to toss together.

The bottom line

There are more than a handful of recipes for raw or uncooked quinoa that you will love, but we know you can’t wait to also try one of these leftover quinoa recipes from this collection.

And we’re confident that you would share our enthusiasm for these recipes’ delightfulness!

Practically speaking, quinoa is an excellent addition to any kitchen because it can be prepared in a short amount of time, can be included in a wide range of dishes (as evidenced by our list), and complements many distinct flavors.

So that no more quinoa goes to waste, go ahead and give these delicious recipes a try for yourself and your loved ones!