How to Cook Quinoa

How to Cook Quinoa | Natural Chow

I could eat quinoa til the cows come home. And I don’t just eat it plain—I make it into salads, granola, or burgers and eat it alongside chicken, fish, veggie dishes…the possibilities are endless. For those of you who don’t know, quinoa is a seed-like grain that has been used for thousands of years and can be used in place of rice in many dishes. Quinoa is also a great source of iron, protein, and fiber. 

How to Cook Quinoa | Natural Chow

I’m going to show you how to cook quinoa at home the easy way. It only takes a few minutes, two ingredients, and one pan. So let’s get started!

How to Cook Quinoa | Natural Chow | http://naturalchow.com

The proportions for quinoa are this: 1 cup of quinoa to 2 cups of water. You can add 1/2 teaspoon of salt per cup of quinoa (to flavor it), but if you’re on a low-sodium diet, you can easily omit it. 

How to Cook Quinoa | Natural Chow | http://naturalchow.com

The first thing you’re going to want to do is rinse the quinoa because quinoa has a coating called “saponin” that makes it very bitter. A vigorous rinse through a fine sieve can get rid of the saponin easily though. 

How to Cook Quinoa | Natural Chow | http://naturalchow.com

Once you rinse the quinoa, plop it into a saucepan, pour the water over the top (look for proportions below), and put it on the stove. Turn the heat to medium-high and wait for it to boil. Once it starts boiling, cover it with a lid, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for about 12 minutes or until the quinoa is fully cooked and fluffy. 

Here’s a quick reference for quinoa proportions:

1 cup quinoa + 2 cups water = 3 cups cooked quinoa

2 cups quinoa + 4 cups water = 6 cups cooked quinoa

4 cups quinoa + 8 cups water = 12 cups cooked quinoa

Here’s the recipe:

How to Cook Quinoa
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Yield: 3 cups cooked quinoa
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
Instructions
  1. Rinse the quinoa vigorously in a fine sieve until the water goes clear (this gets rid of the bitter taste that occurs naturally in quinoa).
  2. Put the rinsed quinoa in a small saucepan, add the water, and put it on the stove. Turn the heat to medium-high and wait for it to boil. Once it starts boiling, cover it with a lid, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for about 12 minutes or until the quinoa is fully cooked and fluffy.

quinoa 4

 

Comments

  1. Amanda says

    Hi I found you at the five little chefs link party. I just wanted to stop by and say hi. I love to cook Quiona, but I use chicken broth instead of water to add a different flavor!

    Amanda @ AZmomma.com

  2. says

    Hi! I just saw your link on the Weekend re-Treat link party, and I’m so glad I did! I usually get my quinoa pre-made, because I’ve been intimidated by trying to cook it myself! This makes it look so easy–definitely trying this really soon! Thanks so much!! :)

  3. says

    I am aware of the nutritional value of quinoa, but because I was never sure how to use it only added it to soups. I’ll be trying this recipe out for sure.

    Thank you for sharing what you know.

    Popped over from the #SHINEbloghop.

  4. says

    G’day! Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipe at our #SayGdayParty!
    Please make sure to stop back if you haven’t already and visit some other people’s blogs!
    I am also curious if you have answered any of the questions I asked on my blog about this week’s party?
    Cheers! Joanne

  5. says

    I have perfected the art of cooking the perfect quinoa! My husband? Not so much.

    Thanks for linking up with Fitness Friday! You have a wonderful blog and I always love meeting new friends.

  6. says

    Hi! Found you at the Weekend Re-treat, and just wanted to say thanks for sharing. I’ve just started using quinoa and mine always seems a little bitter. Now I realise I think I haven’t been rinsing it enough. You’ve inspired me to give it another try!

  7. says

    I make quinoa all the time and always forget to rinse it. I had some for dinner last night with veggies and a dollop of Tikka Masala sauce. So satisfying! Next time I will rinse!!
    I pinned it. #shinebloghop

  8. says

    I was eager to read this because we just started using quinoa — I don’t know where I”ve been but I never heard of it until recently. We love it. Tomorrow we are having it in stuffed peppers. ~Pamela

  9. says

    Hi found u from over at Sharefest. I do not like quinoa. All that I have tasted have been bitter… ugh. I’ll probably try it myself this way and see if that makes a better experience.

    • says

      If you don’t rinse the saponin off the quinoa, the end result will be bitter. A vigorous rinse through a food sieve will get rid of that bitter taste and leave you with delicious tasting quinoa. Thanks for stopping by Renz!

  10. says

    Very helpful tips! I wish quinoa wasn’t so pricey though. I love to cook mine in chicken broth. Thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded!

    Alison
    Nancherrow

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