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This is the best way to cook quinoa if you want fluffy, perfect, and flavorful quinoa. My foolproof method is entirely adaptable to any flavor you’d like to add. I’m fairly certain you’ll love it.
WHAT IS QUINOA?
Quinoa is an ancient grain that comes from the cultures of the Incas and the Aztecs. Quinoa is the seed of a green leafy vegetable from the family of spinach and chard.
The benefits of eating quinoa are many; quinoa is a complete plant protein, and it includes the nine essential amino acids. It is a rich source of the amino acid lysine, which is highly beneficial in helping our body repair and grow tissue. It also contains numerous beneficial minerals for our bodies.
TYPES OF QUINOA
- Yellow quinoa. This is the most widely recognized quinoa; it is the typical one you see when shopping or in a restaurant.
- Red quinoa. This is the one I used for these photos. The red type maintains its shape more than the other varieties, and I feel it has a nuttier flavor.
- Pink, black, and orange quinoa.
- Sprouted quinoa. Whenever we sprout a grain, seed, or legume, we increase its nutritional value and make it easier to digest. This way, we can utilize most of its nutrients.
- Canadian quinoa. This is the latest type on the market. The grain seed is smaller than the normal one, and when cooked, it becomes sticky. It is like cooking sushi rice; when done, it’s stickier than the other varieties.
- Note: The method of cooking this Canadian quinoa differs from the one I am using here.
TIP ➡ When you buy grains in bulk, make sure that the container it is in is closed and that there are no traces of moisture. ➡ If you're just starting out with quinoa, buy small packages or buy in small quantities. Try all the different types and brands until you find the one you like best.
HOW TO MAKE QUINOA?
- To keep the quinoa fluffy and retain its shape, use a ratio of 1 cup of quinoa to 1 3/4 cups of liquid. You put it in a covered pot over low heat for 10 minutes.
- By this time, the grains should be plumped, and the germ, the whitetails, should already be loose in some grains. Turn the heat off. If a little liquid remains, cover it and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- When there is no liquid in the pot, fluff it up with a fork or spoon.
💡IDEA: Quinoa can be cooked like pasta. Boil a pot of water with plenty of salt. When it is boiling add the quinoa and boil until al dente.
How to eat quinoa?
- Use it as you would rice.
- Make it like fried rice.
- You can make Chinese lettuce wraps
- Or add a scoop to your vegetable soup or lentil soup
- You can make sushi
- or stuff poblano peppers
- Or as breakfast, and prepare it as oatmeal
How to make quinoa?
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1¾ cup water or vegetable broth
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Put the quinoa and the liquid you are using in a pot with a lid. Add the salt.
- Cover and simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes. By this time the quinoa should be hydrated and the germ should be separated and floating on the surface.
- Try and if it is already soft turn off and let it rest for 5 minutes. If there is liquid left in the pot, the liquid will be absorbed.
- Fluff with a fork.
Notes
If after letting the whole quinoa rest there is still liquid in the pot, strain it.
Nutrition
information
Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
- About the Author
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I’m Ale Graf, a Mexican living in Texas and the creator of AleCooks and Piloncillo&Vainilla. I share easy, family-friendly recipes—some Mexican, mostly plant-based—that can be enjoyed all day, every day. My focus is on recipes that bring people together around the table, making mealtime simple, delicious and meaningful. I’m also the co-author of Yo Cocino Latino, and my recipes have been featured in numerous online magazines and publications.
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