Is it really necessary to rinse the quinoa?

Yes, it is absolutely necessary to rinse quinoa every time you cook quinoa! There’s a coating on the outside of the shells that tastes bitter and unpleasant, plus dust and other particles from processing the seeds. Giving the quinoa a quick rinse (it only takes a minute or two, promise!) before cooking it removes the bitterness and makes sure you get fluffy, tasty, perfectly cooked quinoa every time!

How do I know when my quinoa is done?

You can tell when the quinoa is done because all the liquid will have evaporated or will have been absorbed into the quinoa and the seeds have become soft. If the quinoa has turned mushy or chewy, the quinoa has been overcooked and you’ll want to start over to get the consistency right. If your grains are crunchy, the quinoa’s been undercooked.

Is quinoa good for meal prepping?

Yes, quinoa is a great ingredient to meal prep! Whether you’re getting a head start on dinners for the week or trying to create a varied menu with limited ingredients, quinoa is the grain for you. It cooks quickly, stores well, reheats beautifully, and can easily be incorporated into all kinds of dishes!

How to Cook Quinoa

Description

Making the perfect fluffy quinoa at home is quick and a lot easier to make than you think! Learn how to cook quinoa perfectly every time using our simple recipe including tons of tips and tricks, variations, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon olive oil

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Instructions

In a large fine-mesh colander, rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold running water for 1 minute (this helps to remove the bitter taste in quinoa). Drain well.
In a medium cooking pot, add the rinsed and drained quinoa, water, and olive oil. Bring to boil over medium heat, about 5 minutes.
Cover with the lid and reduce the heat to low. Let the quinoa simmer for 15 minutes until tender and the water is absorbed.
Remove from heat and allow the cooked quinoa rest for another 5 minutes. (You will notice that the grains have popped open).
Fluff with a fork and serve.

Notes

How to cook in an Instant Pot (pressure cooker): You can also make this quinoa in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker for a more hands-off approach. Add your ingredients to a pressure cooker on high pressure for 3 minutes, and then allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork as normal and serve!

How to store: Once the cooked quinoa has cooled completely to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to five days.

How to freeze: Transfer leftover quinoa into an airtight, freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. I recommend labelling the container with the date for easy reference.

Prep Time: 1 minute
Rest Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American