Learn how to cook quinoa easily from the comfort of your stovetop. This small grain is a complete protein that is packed with all nine essential amino acids. Quinoa makes the perfect filling nutritious grain for lunch or meal prep.
What is Quinoa?
Quinoa is a small grain that is native to the Andean Region in Northwestern South America countries such as Peru and Bolivia, which are both among the top two producers of Quinoa. Quinoa is also a naturally gluten-free grain.
Quinoa comes in various colors such as red, black, and white. You can also find Tri-color Quinoa in stores, which is a mixture of all three.
For this recipe, I am using white quinoa. If you would like to try Tri-Color Quinoa you can head over to my “How To Cook Tri-Color Quinoa” blog post.
Is Quinoa Good For You?
The answer to that question is an astounding YES.
Quinoa in the last few years has been termed a superfood. This is because quinoa among other amazing things is a complete plant protein source that contains all nine essential amino acids.
Rinsing Quinoa
I am a firm believer in rinsing grains and pretty much any other edible element that goes onto your stove to eat before cooking. Quinoa is included.
Submerge your quinoa in a bowl with room-temperature water and gently move around with your fingertips. Then pour through a fine mesh strainer and run cool water over it for a few seconds. Gently shake the strainer and place it over a bowl to drain excess water.
How To Cook Quinoa
The bottom line in my opinion to cook perfect and fluffy quinoa is STEAM. Hot steam gets into each tiny grain and cooks it to fluffy perfection. This is why I do have a specific cooking time in my recipe as everyone’s stove and personal texture preference is different. I do however recommend that you turn your stove on to the lowest heat setting possible and let the Quinoa cok via steam.
Another tip is to always use a FORK to stir your Quinoa even if you are just checking for salt at the halfway point. A fork fluffs the quinoa and helps separates the tiny grains, making the finished product fluffy.
Quinoa first then water vs. water then Quinoa
Some “How To Cook Quinoa” recipes call for you to lightly toast quinoa then add water and continue cooking. That method adds a toasted nutty flavor.
For me, I prefer to bring my water to a rolling boil with coconut oil and sea salt before I add in my quinoa.
Here is the recipe for Perfect Fluffy Quinoa
How to Cook Quinoa – Perfect and Fluffy
Ingredients
- 3 cups Quinoa
- 3 cups Room Temperature Water
- 1 tsp Coconut Oil
- 1 tsp Sea Salt (add in more or less to your taste)
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa and set aside to drain. (see blog post under "Rinsing Quinoa" for intructions.
- In a pot on medium heat bring water, sea salt, and coconut oil to a rolling boil.
- Oncethe water is at a rolling boil, add in quinoa, stir, and turn down stove to the lowest heat setting.
- Leave to steam until cooked. Fluff with a fork and serve.
How to Use Cooked Quinoa
Cooked quinoa can be used in salads and alongside stewed beans and peas as I did in the pictures below.
Did you try this “How To Cook Quinoa” recipe? RATE IT!!!
If you gave this “How to Cook Quinoa” recipe a try please rate this recipe and let me know in the comments. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @myplantbaseplate and use the hashtag #myplantbaseplate so we can all see your plate.
If you are looking for another grain to try out give my “How to Cook Millet” recipe a try. You can find all my simple and delicious plant-based recipes here.
Thank you for reading this post and allowing me to accompany you on your plant-based journey. Until the next post, keep growing.
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