Description
Learn how to cook perfect fluffy quinoa on the stove with this simple method that ensures tender grains with a slightly nutty flavor. This recipe uses basic ingredients and straightforward steps to make quinoa that can be served as a healthy side dish or used as a base for salads and bowls.
Ingredients
Scale
Quinoa
- 1 cup quinoa
Liquid
- 2 cups water or broth (or a diluted broth made of half water, half broth)
Seasoning
- Kosher salt, to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the quinoa: Place the quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse thoroughly with cold water unless it is labeled pre-rinsed. This removes the natural coating called saponin that can make the quinoa taste bitter.
- Cook the quinoa: Pour the rinsed quinoa into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Optionally, toast the quinoa for a couple of minutes by stirring occasionally to enhance its nutty flavor. Then add the liquid—either water, broth, or a diluted broth mixture—and season with kosher salt to taste. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, cover with a lid, and reduce heat to low. Let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa grains are tender with visible little sprouted tendrils.
- Let sit, fluff, and serve: Remove the saucepan from heat and keep it covered for about 5 minutes to allow the quinoa to steam and finish cooking evenly. Afterward, remove the lid and fluff the quinoa gently with a fork. Serve warm as a side dish or cool it down by spreading it on a large platter or baking sheet, perfect for salads or meal prep.
Notes
- Rinsing quinoa is important to remove its bitter coating unless your package says it is pre-rinsed.
- Toasting quinoa before cooking adds a nuttier flavor but is optional.
- You can substitute water with vegetable or chicken broth for more flavor.
- Letting the quinoa rest after cooking helps achieve a light, fluffy texture.
- Cooked quinoa can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop Simmering
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
- Calories: 111
- Sugar: 0.9 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 1.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19.7 g
- Fiber: 2.6 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: quinoa, how to cook quinoa, perfect quinoa, gluten free side dish, healthy grains, quinoa recipe
