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    Home » Side Dishes

    How To Cook Quinoa

    Published:May 3, 2021· Modified: Jul 23, 2021 by Keri Bevan

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    Learn how to cook quinoa perfectly, every single time!

    Quinoa is a superfood grain that is frequently cooked the wrong way. If not cooked correctly it turns mushy and clumpy, not ideal! However, once you learn the secret to cooking perfect quinoa it will turn out light and fluffy every time.

    Jump to:
    • What is Quinoa?
    • How To Cook Quinoa Perfectly, Every Time!
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Comments

    What is Quinoa?

    Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is the seed of the Chenopodium Quinoa plant, despite the fact that it's frequently know as a grain.

    Quinoa has an interesting history. It was first grown for food 7,000 years ago in the Andes. The Incas considered it sacred, and referred to it as "the mother grain."

    These days quinoa is renowned for it's nutritional content. It's so nutritious that it's amongst the top ten superfoods. In addition to it's nutritional content, quinoa is naturally gluten free , making it a great choice for those who want to avoid gluten.

    How To Cook Quinoa Perfectly, Every Time!

    Time needed: 15 minutes

    How to cook quinoa that's light and fluffy, every time.

    1. Rinse your quinoa.

      Quinoa has a natural coating called saponin, that if not removed, makes your cooked quinoa taste bitter and soapy. Be sure to put it in a colander or sieve and rinse well.how to cook quinoa

    2. The perfect ratio for quinoa to water is 1:2.

      For every cup of quinoa that you cook, use two cups of water. Be aware that quinoa expands when cooked (a lot!) One cup of uncooked quinoa will yield four cups of cooked quinoa.how to cook quinoa

    3. Cook the quinoa, uncovered for 10 minutes.

      Cook the quinoa for 10 minutes over low heat. Gently simmer it until the water is absorbed. Now, remove the quinoa from the heat and cover the pan with a tea towel for 8-10 minutes. This will allow the excess steam to escape, but retain enough steam to open the quinoa seed, which is what will produce light and fluffy quinoa.how to cook quinoa

    That's it! Fluff the quinoa with a fork and serve!

    Cooked quinoa in a bowl with a spoon.
    Quinoa salad on a white plate.

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    📖 Recipe

    how to cook quinoa

    How To Cook Quinoa

    Keri Bevan
    If you want to learn to cook perfectly fluffy quinoa, look no further!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 8 minutes mins
    Course Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 156 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
    • 2 cups water

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse the quinoa and put into a medium sized pan with the water.
    • Simmer over low heat uncovered for 10 minutes.
    • Remove the pan from the heat once the water has been absorbed, and cover with a tea towel. Allow to rest for 8-10 minutes. Fluff with fork and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 156kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 6gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 8mgPotassium: 239mgFiber: 3gVitamin A: 6IUCalcium: 24mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword how to cook quinoa, quinoa
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lara

      May 03, 2021 at 9:24 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for this, it works perfectly.

      Reply
      • dailydish

        May 03, 2021 at 9:37 pm

        You're welcome. Thank you for your feedback! Happy you got great results!

        Reply
    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Keri Bevan

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