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

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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

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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

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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? ›

I find that some of the best seasonings for quinoa are cumin, dried bay leaf, turmeric, and salt, and black pepper. I also love to flavor it with fresh garlic and herbs such as parsley, dill, and cilantro. You can add the seasonings of your choice into the pot at the same time with the liquid and cook it as directed.

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 does quinoa pair well with? ›

Quinoa's got the carbs covered, so you'll likely want to add some additional protein (eggs, lentils, beans, tofu, chicken), a fat (olive oil, nuts, butter, cheese), and, ideally, some kind of fruit or vegetable (broccoli, berries, squash, spinach).

Is quinoa healthier than rice? ›

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.

What happens if you don't soak quinoa? ›

Do you need to soak quinoa before cooking it? 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.

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.

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).

Is it OK to eat quinoa every meal? ›

You can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day. You should avoid eating it if you experience stomachache, itchiness or vomiting after consuming it. A study by Harvard Public School of Health has reported that eating a bowl of quinoa daily is healthy and without any side effects.

How to get rid of quinoa smell? ›

That smell is from the saponin, the coating I mentioned earlier, but if you do as Polisi and other quinoa experts suggest and soak the quinoa rather than merely rinse it, you've solved that problem.

Should you stir quinoa while cooking? ›

Stay vigilant: Stir the grains constantly to avoid burning, watching for that perfect golden moment, around 6 to 8 minutes. Water is this grain's go-to companion, but other liquids–think low-sodium chicken, mushroom or vegetable broth–add flavor. Just keep the ratio 2 cups liquid to 1 cup quinoa.

Which quinoa is the tastiest? ›

White, red, or black? They're pretty much all the same nutritionally—so go with what tastes best to you, says Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN, owner of Nutrition Starring You, LCC. White quinoa is the least bitter of the three, while red and black have a chewier texture that holds up better in cold dishes like salads.

What is the best time to eat quinoa? ›

Quinoa can be consumed anytime – at breakfast, lunch or dinner. But it is best to eat healthy food like quinoa before going to bed. It induces sleep, because it relaxes the muscles, due to its high magnesium and protein content. “One can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day.

What liquid to cook quinoa in? ›

The basic ratio is 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups liquid. You can use water (season it with a bit of kosher salt), or you can use any kind of broth (we like to use low-sodium broths and add any extra salt to the finished dish as needed). You can also add a bit of dry white wine to the liquid for another layer of flavor.

What protein goes well with quinoa? ›

Up the protein content even more by folding in some beans or lentils. A few mouthwatering combos to try: Mix a half cup each of cooked quinoa and chickpeas with a handful of halved grape tomatoes, some chopped cucumber, a few sliced olives, a sprinkle of feta cheese, a splash of lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil.

What can I add to quinoa to make it less bitter? ›

Happily, the solution to preventing bitter quinoa is very simple. All you need to do is rinse your uncooked quinoa in cold running water for a minute or so until the water runs clear.

Should I toast or rinse quinoa? ›

To wash quinoa, place it in a fine-meshed strainer and rinse it under cool water for 30 - 45 seconds. Allow the excess water to drain out. Toast the quinoa: Place the quinoa in a large pan and turn on the heat to medium. I like to use a non-stick pan.

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