Tips for Cooking Quinoa

Bowl of cooked quinoa, tomatoes and onion

Quinoa is a popular whole grain, but it isn’t even technically a grain! Quinoa is actually a seed, but it’s usually referred to as a whole grain. It’s prepared similarly to rice, barley and pasta. This delicate and delicious grain has the highest protein content of all whole grains. If you’re looking for a great gluten-free alternative to pasta, look no further than quinoa. 

People sometimes mistakenly think quinoa is difficult to cook. But it’s quite the opposite! Quinoa is one of the easiest grains to prepare and only takes 15-20 minutes to cook. Follow these simple steps to prepare the perfect plate of quinoa: 

  1. Pre-rinse quinoa with cold water to remove the natural soapy coating. 
  2. In general, 1 cup of dry quinoa will yield 3 cups cooked. 
  3. The quinoa to water ratio is 1:2. 
  4. Try using broth instead of water to intensify the flavor. 
  5. Bring quinoa and water to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer. 
  6. 1 cup of quinoa takes about 20 minutes to cook. 
  7. When done, fluff with a fork. Fluffing is key. 
  8. Before serving, add olive oil, salt, pepper and spices.