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How to Cook Perfect Quinoa

20 min

Side

10 ingredients or less

One-bowl / one-pot
Quinoa is the seed from the amaranth family of plants, although it's commonly classified as a grain. It's high in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It's a staple in most pantries nowadays and super easy to prepare. It's a great substitute for rice or other grains, as a side dish or a base for nourish bowls.

Servings

(½ cup per serving)

Total

20 min

Prep

3 min

Cook

17 min

Free from

Soy symbol

soy

Peanut symbol

peanut

Treenut symbol

tree nut

Sesame symbol

sesame

Gluten symbol

gluten

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (85 g)
    uncooked quinoa
  • 1 cup (240 mL)
    water
  • ½
    vegetable bouillon cube, crumbled (optional)

Directions

  1. Rinse the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer over the sink.
  2. Transfer the quinoa to a saucepan. Add the water and crumble in the bouillon cube.
  3. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover with a lid and let cook for 15 minutes. The quinoa should absorb all the water. If there is still some water, cook for an additional couple of minutes.
  4. Remove from the heat and fluff the quinoa with a wooden spatula or fork.
  5. Then cover again and let sit to steam for 2 - 3 minutes longer so the quinoa softens even more. This step is optional, but it can make the quinoa much more tender.

Storage

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Let us know what you think

Nutrition info

We believe that focusing on numbers can harm our relationship with food. Instead, our philosophy is to Nourish the Cells & the Soul. If you require specific nutrition information due to a medical condition, please consult with a dietitian or physician. The nutritional information provided is composed with the utmost care. However, we cannot guarantee the correctness of the displayed values, see also our disclaimer.

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Discussion & Rating

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Mel - Dec. 4, 2023, 5:10 a.m.

Thank you! I have never thought of adding vegetable bouillon cube. Used to struggle with adding too much salt.

Reply
Agata - Dec. 2, 2023, 4:06 p.m.

I've always had this issue with quinoa that it gives me such an awful stomach ache, regardless if I cook it myself or have it at a restaurant. It's a shame because I actually really like it 😅 Do you think there is any way to prevent it or should I just stop trying?

PUL Team - Dec. 2, 2023, 8:52 p.m.

Hey there, Agata, we're sorry to hear about your experience with quinoa! It's unfortunate that it's causing discomfort. Some people find that rinsing quinoa thoroughly before cooking or trying a different variety (such as white, red, black, or tri-color quinoa) helps promote more comfort. If the problem persists, consulting with a healthcare professional like a dietitian could provide personalized advice based on your specific needs ✨

Reply
Hannah Graham de Vries - Oct. 9, 2023, 6:53 p.m.

Foolproof & super fluffy 👌🏻✨ (I used one bouillon cube though). As someone with ADHD this app has made my life so much easier!

PUL Team - Oct. 9, 2023, 7:25 p.m.

We're so happy that the app is being enjoyed, Hannah, thank you! 🤩

Reply
Martunia - Oct. 2, 2023, 9:04 p.m.

Finally quinoa isn't burnt and cooked perfectly 🙂 I just found it too salty (one bouillon cube for this amount of quinoa is a bit too much).

Reply
Alpesh - July 11, 2023, 7:21 p.m.

Easy

Reply
Varvara - July 4, 2023, 5:13 p.m.

A great base to built a delicious recipe!

Reply
Rimsha Shaikh - July 4, 2023, 7:55 a.m.

1/2 cup quantity is perfect ! And this recipe is too easy to remember, will make it often now.

PUL Team - July 5, 2023, 7:58 a.m.

So thrilled to hear, Rimsha, thank you 😃

Reply
Iz - July 2, 2023, 6:13 a.m.

I don’t know how to cook quinoa before. I made it first time today and follow the recipe and steps. It turned out perfect! Thank you ❤️

Iz - July 2, 2023, 7:03 a.m.

By the way, I actually skipped bouillon cubes. Instead I replaced it with mushroom seasoning made from dried shiitake mushroom to add the umami flavour.

PUL Team - July 4, 2023, 2:54 a.m.

Ooo that sounds delicious! Thanks, Iz 🤗

Reply
Nana Em - June 30, 2023, 1:12 a.m.

Perfect quinoa indeed! It’s much less daunting to just go for it now!

PUL Team - June 30, 2023, 8:13 a.m.

Woop woop! So happy to hear, Nana Em 😃

Reply
Lola - June 23, 2023, 3:26 p.m.

Hi Sadia! I see that you use a lot of vegetable bouillon cubes in your cooking. While I think they add really good flavors and like to cook with them as well ever since I follow your recipes, I was wondering how healthy they are? And if you could make recommendations (maybe a video) of the healthiest brands or what to look up for when choosing the cubes to buy ? Thank you so much for your answer!

PUL Team - June 23, 2023, 7:05 p.m.

Hey Lola, thanks for the question and request - we've noted it down 😊 We enjoy using bouillon cubes occasionally for their convenience and the burst of flavour they can add. We use the ones we get from our local store here called Albert Heijn, it's their house brand, and sometimes we get a brand called Maggi.

Bouillion cubes are higher in sodium and sometimes have other additives. Plant-based lifestyles including a variety of whole foods generally don’t have excess amounts of sodium, though, so we enjoy some higher-sodium meals occasionally. The cubes are also often used in meals that make several servings, so it ends up being not as much per serving. In the meantime, in case it helps and you're interested, the vegetable bouillon cube and water can be substituted for equal parts vegetable stock or broth, adding salt to taste as needed 😃

Raine - Oct. 4, 2023, 2:09 p.m.

Thank you for your suggestions. I have to watch my salt intake since I have high blood pressure and am pre-diabetic.

Reply
Michaela - March 26, 2023, 1:15 p.m.

hello, i am searching for a granola recipe, including cooked quinoa. I think i saw it on your page, but i can't find it. Could you please help me?

PUL Team - March 26, 2023, 10 p.m.

Hey Michaela, our Crunchy Almond & Mango Granola includes puffed quinoa. Perhaps that was the one: pickuplimes.com/recipe/crunch… 😃

Reply
Bette Porter - March 20, 2023, 2:57 p.m.

Now I can stop buying per cooked quinoa and make it. I for the first made quinoa and I did it right. Thank you.

PUL Team - March 20, 2023, 10:53 p.m.

So happy to hear, Bette!

Reply
Phillipa - March 3, 2023, 12:12 p.m.

I usually cheat and make quinoa in my rice cooker but this is great for cooking when away from home.
My question is if it is beneficial to soak the quinoa beforehand like we do with brown rice? I read that we should somewhere but it wasn't a reliable source.

PUL Team - March 3, 2023, 8:12 p.m.

Thanks for the lovely question, Phillipa! Soaking quinoa overnight is optional but can decrease cooking time and increase nutrient absorption. If you opt to soak quinoa, it will need less cooking water. Instead of using 2 parts of water for every 1 part of quinoa, use 1.5 parts for every 1 part. For example, if you want to cook 1/2 cup of dry quinoa that has been soaked, you can use 3/4 cup of water for the best results 🙂

Reply
Kirsten - Feb. 10, 2023, 3:57 a.m.

i love that pick up limes posts accessible recipes like this - such a great resource for new cooks! pick up limes is my first (favourite) teacher in vegan cooking :) one of my favourite variations to this recipe is orange juice - it immediately freshens up the quinoa and makes a wonderful base to salads!

PUL Team - Feb. 10, 2023, 5:30 p.m.

Aw thank you for helping make our PUL community so incredible, Kirsten 💛 Orange juice is an interesting idea too!

Reply