What Is Quinoa and How Can I Use It?

If quinoa has turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use it with confidence and how to choose it, cook it, store it, what to substitute, and 111 recipes to try it in.

What is quinoa?

Quinoa originated in the Andean region of South America, where it has been an important food for 6,000 years. Its name is the Spanishspelling of the Quechua name. Quinoa is generally undemanding and altitude-hardy, so it can be easily cultivated in the Andes up to about 4,000 meters. Even so, it grows best in well-drained soils and requires a relatively long growing season.

Nutrition

Quinoa was of great nutritional importance in pre-Columbian Andean civilizations, being secondary only to the potato, and was followed in importance by maize. In contemporary times, this crop has become highly appreciated for its nutritional value, as its protein content is very high (12%–18%). Unlike wheat or rice (which are low in lysine), and like oats, quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete protein source among plant foods. It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest.

Preparation

A common cooking method is to treat quinoa much like rice, bringing two cups of water to a boil with one cup of grain, covering at a low simmer and cooking for 14–18 minutes or until the germ separates from the seed. The cooked germ looks like a tiny curl and should have a slight bite to it (like al dente pasta). As an alternative, one can use a rice cooker to prepare quinoa, treating it just like white rice (for both cooking cycle and water amounts).

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find quinoa: Quinoa is usually found in the rice & beans section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Quinoa is a member of the Cereal Grains and Pasta US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

藜麦

British (UK) term

Quinoa

en français

quinoa

en español

quinoa

How much does quinoa weigh?

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Cereal Grains and Pasta

Recipes using quinoa

There are 111 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Loaded Vegetable & Quinoa Salad with Miso Orange Dressing

A wide variety of fresh vegetables and quinoa are tossed with a salty and sweet miso orange dressing. Serve it as a refreshingly nutritious side dish or a vegetarian/vegan main course.

Cherry & Quinoa Salad

Fresh sweet cherries and quinoa are tossed with celery, creamy goat cheese, toasted almonds and tangy white wine vinaigrette.

Easy Quinoa Tabouli

Easy quinoa tabbouleh: ripe tomatoes, parsley, scallions, and fresh mint tossed with cooked quinoa, lemon juice, and oil. A gluten-free Middle Eastern salad meant to rest overnight.

Easy Garden Quinoa

One of my favorite go-to sides, great with any protein or on its own for a light lunch. You can add any combination of chopped vegetables.

Gluten Free Casein Free Chocolate Avocado Muffins

Chocolate muffins packed with nutrients from an avocado you won't detect and protein from Quinoa Flakes!

Gluten-Free Casein-Free Lemon Raspberry Muffins

Delicious Lemon-Raspberry Muffins that are sensitive to the toughest of dietary limitations.

Quinoa, Apple, & Cheddar Salad with Mixed Greens

A light, delicious and refreshing salad. Serve it as a simply tasty side dish or a meatless main course.

Walnut Rosemary Quinoa

A basic, yet scrumptious quinoa recipe that can be served as a side dish or part of a main meal.

Quinoa Tabouli Salad

Very classic middle-Eastern recipe, and it's usually cooked with couscous, here quinoa is an excellent substitution, full of nutrition. It is a great side-dish that can go well with any kind of main dish.

Quinoa, Wild Rice Salad with Cherry & Grapes

Quinoa, wild rice, sweet cherries and grapes are tossed with celeries, feta cheese and a tasty vinaigrette. You will be impressed by both yummy flavor and great texture.

Huminta (Bolivian Style Souffle)

Vegan Bolivian-style huminta with quinoa, tofu, and winter squash blended into a savory baked casserole. Tahini and anise give the dish nutty depth and a faintly licorice finish.

Quinoa Salad with Soy Bean, Roasted Pepper & Nuts

Toasting adds strong nutty flavor into quinoa, roasted walnuts add another layer of nutty flavor and texture. It is a very flavorful and light side dish that goes well with any main course.

Quinoa & Smoked Tofu Salad

Delicious and loaded with flavor. Quinoa is so versatile to cook. Smoked tofu you can find in Asian grocery store, which does add some smoky flavour and meaty texture. Definitely a keeper!

Great Latin Quinoa

Quinoa is a great grain, rich in protein, and you can always add lots of flavor to this simple dish according to your favorite taste.

Herbed Quinoa Salad

A new kind of salad that has a scrumptious taste which is perfect for lunch or a light dinner.

Quinoa Salad with Fennel, Mushrooms & Nuts

Quinoa is a kind of seeds that contains lots of protein, this healthy seed is versatile to prepare, such as this salad. It's delicious and packed with goodness. A great side dish or a whole some meatless main course.

Quinoa, Spinach & Hazelnuts Stuffed Peppers

Toasted quinoa, sauteed spinach, hazelnuts and sun-dried tomato are tossed with salty feta cheese and extra-virgin olive oil, then stuffed into colorful sweet bell peppers. Not only look divine, but they also taste delicious.

Quinoa: Basic Cooking Instructions

This easy recipe will help you make delicious side dishes like pilafs and pudding.

Chinese Quinoa & Edamame Salad

Soy sauce, sichuan hot chili oil, sesame oil, rice vinegar... These tangy Chinese seasonings make this quinoa and edamame salad taste absolutely flavorful, and it's a delicious salad that can be served as a side dish or a main dish; warm, at room temperature or chilled.

Japanese Vegetable Salad with Miso Dressing

Inspired by a Japanese salad I had when I was in Australia. The salad tasted so refreshing, and the miso dressing added tons of flavour. An excellent salad.

Quinoa, Edamame & Roasted Corn Salad with Apples & Maple Walnuts

This delicious and nutritious quinoa salad can be served as a side dish, or it can be a tasty yet wholesome meal all by itself.

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

This colorful low fat salad can be enjoyed warm or cold.

Whole Wheat & Quinoa Pancakes

Quinoa is getting more and more popular because it's rich in protein and fiber, and it's versatile to cook. This recipe uses both whole wheat flour and quinoa flour to give the pancakes extra protein and fiber, they are delicious as well. Use fruit sauce, jam or fresh fruits as topping, an ideal breakfast to start the day.

Quinoa, Blueberry & Yogurt Parfait

This breakfast parfait is made with quinoa, yogurt, fresh blueberries and toasted almonds. You can make it one day ahead, put in the fridge, and enjoy this wholesome and delicious parfait next morning.

Quinoa-Black Bean Burgers

A nice alternative to meat burgers, these are packed with veggies and are a good source of protein. Suitable for pan frying or grilling.

Quinoa, Toasted Corn & Cherry Tomato Salad with Toasted Walnuts & Feta

Sweet cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, smoky toasted corn, toasted walnuts, black olives and feta cheese are tossed together with extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, parsley and mint, a tasty and flavorful salad that can be served as a side dish or a nutritious and delicious main dish!

Bean Veggie Burgers with Mexican Spicy Guacamole

This yummy veggie burger won't disappoint you! Several kinds of spices are mixed into mashed beans, spiced cuacamole spread on top of the burger... Enjoy delicious burgers without feeling guilty!

Buttermilk, Maple Syrup, Quinoa & Pecan Muffins

I didn't use quinoa flour, instead I added about 1 1 /2 cups cooked quinoa. I used walnuts, also added about 1/4 cup of bittersweet chocolate chips, and the sweetness was just right

Buttermilk, Maple Syrup, Quinoa & Pecan Muffins

I didn't use quinoa flour, instead I added about 1 1 /2 cups cooked quinoa. I used walnuts, also added about 1/4 cup of bittersweet chocolate chips, and the sweetness was just right

Quinoa Casserole

Quinoa has become one of the healthiest foods. It's high in fiber and packed with protein, it's not a grain but a seed. We have been making all kinds of quinoa recipes, made this casserole for dinner yesterday, and it was delicious.

Quinoa & Arugula Salad with Pears, Walnuts, Dried Fruits, & Jack Cheese

Quinoa is getting more and more popular, it has a very unique and delicious taste, also it is high in fibre and protein. In this recipe, we use fresh pears, arugula, lightly toasted walnuts and dried fruits, mixing in some Jack cheese. It can be served as a side dish, but it also can be a delicious and nutritious main dish!

Quinoa, Sun-dried Tomato & Feta Stuffed Bell Peppers

So delicious, and packed with goodness. If you don't have quinoa, use brown rice or regular white rice. A very tasty way to cook with seasonal colourful bell peppers, and they are so good for you as well.

Black Bean & Quinoa Chili

A bowl of warm chili is made of quinoa, black beans, spices and lots of tomatoes. Serve it over a bed of rice or with some good crusty bread.

Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers

Quinoa stuffed bell peppers loaded with black beans, sweet corn, and two cheeses, then baked in a garlicky tomato sauce. A naturally gluten-free, vegetarian dinner that packs protein and fiber into every colorful pepper.

Toasted Quinoa Salad with Dried Apricots, Cherry Tomato & Baby Spinach

The quinoa salad can be prepared in advance. Toasted quinoa is cooked with garlic and chopped apricots, tossed with this Moroccan Spiced Lemon Dressing. A delicious yet nutritious salad that can be served as a side or a main course.

Mango, Jalapeno & Basil Quinoa Salad

This sweet, sour and spicy quinoa salad is loaded with flavor. Fresh mangos, spicy jalapeno, and basil give this quinoa salad amazingly delicious taste, and it is quick and easy to prepare as well.

Mini Quinoa Pancakes with Lemon Yogurt Sauce

Quinoa pancakes sound like an interesting way to cook quinoa, and these small pancakes turned out delicious. The lemon yogurt sauce was creamy, light and refreshing. These yummy quinoa pancakes can be served as an appetizer or a main dish.

Asparagus, Tofu & Quinoa Salad with Parmesan & Walnuts

This delicious and nutritious salad is so easy to make, and loaded with refreshing and cheesy flavor. It can be a side dish or you can have it as a light main dish.

Quinoa & Edamame Salad with Sun-Dried Tomato & Olives

You will love how tasty this salad is. You can serve it as a side dish, or just have it for a simply flavorful yet nutritious main course.

Black Bean & Quinoa Salad

A protein-packed black bean and quinoa salad with corn, peppers, and jalapeno in a zesty lime-cumin dressing. Vegan, high-fiber, and make-ahead, with fluffy quinoa that never turns mushy.

Multi-Grain Hot Cereal for Crockpot

Super easy and super healthy multi-grain Hot Cereal (Slow-Cooker) recipe. Loads of complex carbs to keep give you energy all morning.

Toasted Quinoa, Apple & Walnut Salad

Toasting quinoa in pan creates much more flavor than just boiling it directly. Quinoa is tossed with a light yet tasty vinaigrette, sugar snap peas, apples, bell peppers, celery, red onions and toasted walnuts. You can make the salad one day ahead, it tastes even better next day.

South American Quinoa & Black Beans

This flavorful dish can be served as a main entree or side dish, hot, at room temperature or even cold.

Yellow Peppers Stuffed with Quinoa, Corn & Feta Cheese

This is a great dish to serve guests when you really want to impress them. Looks wonderful to the eye, especially using yellow and red peppers for some contrasting colours. And the taste is perfect for summer or any season. Very light and fresh with little bursts of flavors and textures.

Healthy & Tasty: Ancient Grain Salad

This healthy and tasty salad is made with assorted grains, fresh apple, celery, bell peppers and dried cranberries, tossed with a light and flavorful vinaigrette.

Quinoa with Asparagus, Celery & Mushrooms

Made this recipe for dinner yesterday, and it was light, tasty and I absolutely loved it. I didn't have asparagus on hand, so I used broccoli instead, and it worked just fine. I also added half chopped red bell peppers to make the dish more colorful and appealing.

Quinoa & Veggie Salad with Apples, Dried Berries, Walnuts & Cheddar

Easy to make, and it was delicious as well as packed with good-for-you ingredients. Will be making it again soon.

5 Layer Quinoa Lasagna

Quinoa is high in fiber, protein and gluten free. To make this quinoa lasagna, we use a spring-form pan layered with different flavored quinoa and vegetables, colorful and incredibly tasty.

Quinoa with Shiitake Gravy

Quinoa with shiitake gravy: dried shiitakes simmered with their soaking liquid and shoyu, thickened with kudzu into a clear, silky glaze. Vegan, 84 calories per serving, ready in an hour.

Quinoa fried ‘rice’

The stalk of the broccoli is actually the most nutritious part of the vegetable so make sure to use it in dishes that call for the florets. Chop the stalk into smaller pieces and incorporate into your dish with the rest of the broccoli. 1 serving of broccoli (a large stalk) provides 46% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A and 206% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C!

All 111 recipes