• About
  • Work with Me
    • Contact
  • Food Photography
  • Newsletter

Chef Janet

So good, they'll never know it's gluten-free.

  • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Baked Goods
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Main Course
    • Salads
    • Sauces and Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • Cooking Basics
  • Gluten-Free Diet Tips
Home Β» Cooking Basics Β» How to Cook Quinoa

May 15, 2020 (last updated June 17, 2022)

How to Cook Quinoa

No ratings yet
Leave a Comment Jump to Recipe

In my opinion quinoa is underappreciated. It entered mainstream US cuisine about 10 years ago and has become increasingly popular. But maybe you’ve only had it at a restaurant and want to give it a try at home. So here is how to cook quinoa.

Cooking it is actually more simple than you might think. It’s way easier to cook than something like rice (same cooking method) which can be so tricky. With rice, it can be too sticky, mushy, under cooked, over cooked . . . too much stress! With my method and step-by-step instructions, you’ll find that cooking quinoa is nearly fool-proof.

Once you see how easy it is to cook, you might enjoy these yummy vegan quinoa recipes including my Quinoa Breakfast Bowl, Roasted Tomato Garlic Quinoa, Quinoa Stuffed Peppers and Quinoa Tabouli.

white bowl of quinoa with tomato, cilantro and green onion with fork and napkin on left small bowl of chili flakes and cutting boar with tomato in background=g

Quinoa has also earned the reputation of being trendy and perhaps a food that only “healthy” people eat. Well quinoa is pretty nutritious as far as grains go (actually it’s technically a seed). It’s one of the few non-animal products that is a complete protein. That means that it has all the essential amino acids we need for proper nutrition. For vegans and vegetarians it is a great way to add protein to their diet. But forget all that. Quinoa is just good and it is so versatile. It’s mild nutty flavor goes well with so many flavors. So watch my video on how to cook quinoa and get started

Quinoa Recipes

Some quick and easy ways to add flavor to cups cooked quinoa: 2 tbsps lemon juice + fresh mint leaves or 2 Tbsps lime juice, fresh cilantro, 1/2 tsp ground cumin or 1/4 cup pesto or 1/2 c coconut milk, 2 tsps fresh grated ginger and the zest of one lime. Essentially, citrus and fresh herbs are great with quinoa, so be creative.

2 large white mugs with quinoa topped with blueberris, raspberries, slivered almonds and mint leaves with wood board with measuring cup and white bowl in background
white bowl of quinoa with tomato, cilantro and green onion with fork and napkin on left small bowl of chili flakes and cutting boar with tomato in background=g

How to Cook Quinoa

Author: Janet Harlow
Course: Side Dishes
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Servings: 3 cups
A simple step-by-step recipe for quinoa with a quick instructional video.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 min
Cook Time 12 mins
Total Time 13 mins

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups cold water
  • 1/2 tsp table salt or 3/4 tsp kosher salt

Instructions
 

  • Place all the ingredients in a medium sized pot (about a 2 1/2 quart size).
  • Place on the stove over a high flame. When the water comes to a boil, put on the lid and turn the flame down as far as it will go.
  • Set a timer for 12 minutes. When the timer is up, lift the lid. Is there water bubbling up to the top? Cook another 2 minutes. If not, use a fork to gently push aside some of the quinoa in the middle of the pot. Is there still water on the bottom? If so, cook another minute or until that water is absorbed.
  • Once all the water is gone the quinoa is done! Add your favorite fresh chopped herbs, nuts, seeds, lemon, lime or orange juice, pesto, chopped tomatoes, green onion etc . . .

Nutrition

Serving: 1/2 cup
Did you make this recipe?Let me know how it was! Tag @chefjanetk on Instagram.
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

Posted In: Cooking Basics, Side Dishes · Tagged: how to, quinoa

Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe Cancel reply

If you love this recipe, please consider leaving a star rating and review when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. Your support means a great deal to me.

Thank you!
Janet

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Me
Hi, Welcome! I'm Chef Janet and I create gluten-free recipes that everyone will love, gluten-free or not.

Set up a customized lesson with me to learn basic cooking techniques, gluten-free, menu planning and kitchen tips to make your life easier. Follow me on instagram to keep up with my latest and let me know how I can help.

Follow along on Instagram

Do you need a cake or cupcakes for a gluten-free b Do you need a cake or cupcakes for a gluten-free birthday celebration? I've got you covered with a blog post with 16 ideas for fun,  festive & yummy cakes and cupcakes.
πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‚
All are gluten free and many can be made dairy-free as well. Most use Measure for Measure flour from @kingarthurbaking.
1. GF Carrot Cake
2. GF Funfetti Cupcakes
3. GF Red Velvet Cake
4. GF Lemon Cake
5. Grain-Free Vanilla Almond Flour Cake
6. GF Vanilla Cake
7. GF Mini Cupcakes in Choc & Vanilla
8. GF Vanilla Cupcakes
9. GF Coconut Layer Cake
πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‚
Not pictured: GF Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake,
GF Chocolate Cupcakes, GF Apple Pie Cupcakes, GF Butternut Squash Cake, Gf Chocolate Mug Cake, GF Vanilla Snack Cake, and GF Carrot Cake Cupcakes.
πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‚
#glutenfreebirthdaycake #glutenfreebirthday #losangeleschef #glutenfreebaking #glutenfreecake #glutenfreecupcakes #glutenfreecarrotcake #glutenfreevanillacake #glutenfreeredvelvet #glutenfreeblog #glutenfreelemoncake
No lie, these chicken wings were baked in the toas No lie, these chicken wings were baked in the toaster oven and still came out with golden brown delicious skin. 
🌽 🌭🌽
Those mini corn dog bites are the favorite at my parties and are SUPER (pun intended) easy to make.
πŸ“πŸ—πŸ“
Link to the recipes in my profile.
🌽🌭🌽
#glutenfreesnacks #sportsnacks #glutenfreecorndogs #glutenfreerecipes #losangeleschef #glutenfreelosangeles #sportsfood #partysnacks #partyappetizers #glutenfreeparty
This gluten free red velvet cake is so moist and t This gluten free red velvet cake is so moist and tender they'll never know it's gluten free. Get the full recipe at chefjanetk.com
β™₯οΈπŸŽ‚β™₯οΈπŸŽ‚
#redvelvet #glutenfreecake #glutenfreeredvelvetcake #losangeleschef #glutenfreelosangeles #glutenfreeblog
#glutenfreebaking #glutenfreedessert #glutenfreebirthdaycake #bestglutenfreecakes #glutenfreerecipes
Thanksgiving prep has started in my kitchen! Wheth Thanksgiving prep has started in my kitchen! Whether you need a gluten-free stuffing recipe, gravy or an easy side, I've got you covered. Need a delicious, decadent dessert? I've got that too. Link in my profile to my Thanksgiving recipes.
πŸ—πŸ₯§πŸ 
You'll find tips for perfect silky, smooth gravy, moist delicious stuffing, perfect pies, simple sided dishes and more.
🍠πŸ₯§πŸ—
#glutenfreethanksgiving #thanksgivingrecipes #thanksgivingdesserts #glutenfreestuffing #glutenfreegravy #losangeleschef #glutenfreeblog #glutenfreepiecrust #glutenfreedessert
Pie and cupcakes are my favorite desserts so I put Pie and cupcakes are my favorite desserts so I put them together in one. These gluten-free apple pie cupcakes make for an awesome autumn dessert. Link to the recipe in my profile.
🍎 πŸ₯§πŸ§
These cupcakes have a fluffy cinnamon spiced cake, traditional apple pie filling and an apple cinnamon buttercream frosting.
🍎πŸ₯§πŸ§
#glutenfreecupcakes #glutenfreedessert #glutenfreeapplepie #losangeleschef #cinnamonbuttercream #glutenfreelosangeles #holidaydessert #glutenfreeholidays #autumndesserts #applepiecupcakes
Nothing says holiday brunch more than cranberry or Nothing says holiday brunch more than cranberry orange muffins. Link to the recipe in my profile.
🎈🍊🎈
#cranberryorangemuffins #glutenfreemuffins #holidaybrunch #glutenfreebaking #losangeleschef #glutenfreechef #glutenfreeblog #cranberryorange
This Sweet Potato Frosting is the perfect holiday This Sweet Potato Frosting is the perfect holiday topping for cupcakes, cakes muffins and anything your heart desires. There's just four ingredients and no cane sugar. Link to the recipe in my profile.
 🍠 🧁🍠
Sweet potato puree, cream cheese, butter and maple syrup are all you need for this amazing frosting. Amazing on carrot cake, spice cake, vanilla cake and so much more.
🧁🍠🧁
#sweetpotatofrosting #cakefrosting #glutenfreeholiday #holidaydesserts #glutenfreeblog #losangeleschef #glutenfreelosangeles #sweetpotatodessert #sweetpotatorecipe #cupcakefrosting #glutenfreecupcakes
Do you like your gluten-free pumpkin bread slather Do you like your gluten-free pumpkin bread slathered in a rum icing or a straight up?? Get the recipe - link my profile.
πŸŽƒπŸŽƒπŸžπŸŽƒπŸŽƒ
This recipe is super easy and makes an incredibly moist and delicious pumpkin bread that is good enough for dessert, brunch or a little autumn snack.
πŸŽƒπŸŽƒπŸžπŸžπŸŽƒπŸŽƒ
#glutenfreepumpkinbread #pumpkinbread #glutenfreebrunch #glutenfreebaking #autumndesserts #glutenfreelosangeles #glutenfreechef #glutenfreeblog #pumpkindessert #fallbaking

Copyright © 2023 Chef Janet · Support by Foodie Digital · Privacy Policy · Accessibility Policy · Web Stories