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21+ Easy and Tasty Quinoa Recipes

March 12, 2021Updated March 7, 2022 By Taylor Jazmine Leave a Comment

Here’s a selection of easy quinoa recipes, including bowls, salads, pilafs, baked dishes, and more, to make good use of the versatile, high protein grain.

Quinoa recipes

Quinoa basics: Quinoa seems like an established staple in the plant-based world, but here, for those who have yet to discover it, are a few basics:

  • Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wa) is an ancient food indigenous to the South American Andes. It was introduced to the American natural foods market in the 1980s. 
  • Quinoa is considered a superfood for its complete protein profile and array of vitamins and minerals.
  • Botanically, quinoa is more of a seed than a grain.
  • The most common variety of quinoa grain is a kind of yellowish-tan, but red and black varieties are now available as well. They cook up the same way and taste pretty much the same as well; their appeal is mainly visual. Sometimes you can purchase a mix of all three colors.

See lots more in our Guide to Quinoa.

Raw Quinoa

How to Cook Quinoa

The basic recipe for cooked quinoa calls for 2 cups water (for variety, you might like to occasionally use a light vegetable stock or toss a bouillon cube into the mix) to 1 cup grain. The deeply colored varieties like red and black (or the mixtures) seem to need a little more water, so make that 2 1/2 cups to 1 part grain.

Rinse the quinoa in a fine sieve. Combine in a sauce pan with the correct amount of water. Bring the water to a slow boil. Lower the heat and simmer gently, covered, until the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.

Pre-toast, optional: Like other grains, the nutty flavor and aroma of quinoa is enhanced by toasting it lightly in the saucepan for about 5 minutes over medium heat before cooking. Stir often.

And now, for the recipes:

Quinoa Pilafs & Other Main Dishes

Salsa verde quinoa

Easy Quinoa Pilaf with Salsa Verde: Salsa verde, AKA tomatillo salsa, makes a bold flavor statement in this easy quinoa pilaf. It has a somewhat smoky aspect that adds a distinctive flavor to dishes.

Quinoa Cauliflower pilaf

Quinoa and Cauliflower Pilaf with Nuts and Dried Fruit: Here’s a quinoa and cauliflower pilaf that’s simple enough to make for a weeknight meal and festive enough to serve at special occasions.

Quinoa with black-eyed peas

Quinoa with Black-Eyed Peas: Black-eyed peas and quinoa make a hearty pair, embellished with lots of flavorful tomatoes. Try serving this with fresh corn and a simple coleslaw or salad. 

Quinoa bowls with chard and chickpeas

Quinoa Bowls with Chard & Chickpeas: Quinoa harmonizes well with chard and chickpeas. Here’s a satisfying way to use these ingredients in a simple bowl presentation. Use any variety of chard — rainbow, Swiss, or green chard.

Quick Vegan Quinoa paella

Quick and Colorful Quinoa Paella: Here’s a quick-to-fix, colorful vegan quinoa paella that’s ready in about 30 minutes. Paella is a Spanish pilaf traditionally made with white rice and seafood. We’ll do away with the seafood here, of course, and since we’re dispensing with tradition, let’s do away with rice as well.

Quinoa edamame oranges

Quinoa with Edamame and Oranges: Tiny orange sections provide a surprising burst of sweetness in this high-protein grain dish.

Red quinoa pilaf with corn and kale

Red Quinoa Pilaf with Kale and Corn: Colorful, easy red quinoa pilaf with kale and corn is packed with tasty and good for you ingredients. It can be a side dish or entree, depending on what else is being served with it.

Quinoa and Edamame Pilaf

Colorful Quinoa and Edamame Pilaf: This colorful pilaf combines two high-protein plant foods in one tasty dish. Using good-quality frozen vegetables eases the prep. Depending on what else you’re serving, this can be a side or main dish.

Seasonal Quinoa Pilafs with fresh vegetables

Easy Quinoa Pilaf with Seasonal Vegetable Variations: Here’s a go-to, easy quinoa pilaf recipe that you can vary according to season, mood, or which vegetables happen to be in your refrigerator.

Quinoa Salads

Quinoa and fennel salad with walnuts & cranberries

Quinoa and Fennel Salad with Walnuts and Cranberries: Quinoa and fennel salad features the anise-flavored vegetable, and is made festive with toasted walnuts and dried cranberries.

Red bean and quinoa salad with mini peppers

Quinoa and Red Bean Salad with Mini Sweet Peppers: Quinoa and red bean salad is an ideal centerpiece for a meal, served with fruit for lunch and soup for dinner. Extra eye appeal comes from the mini sweet pepper.

Southwestern Quinoa Salad with corn, black beans, and avocado

Southwestern Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Corn: Black beans, corn, and avocado come together in a hearty southwestern quinoa salad that’s good as a main dish or side.

Salsa Quino and Corn Salad

Salsa Quinoa and Corn Salad: This cold dish is an abundant meal in a bowl infused with the flavor of your favorite salsa. A great main-dish salad, paired with simple soups or quesadillas, this is an excellent dish to share at potlucks all year round.

Pasta salad with quinoa, corn, and tomatoes

Pasta Salad with Quinoa and Corn: Corn and tomatoes give this pasta and quinoa salad a summery feel, though you can enjoy it any time of year. This is perfect for outdoor meals and potlucks.

Quinoa tabbouli with mezze platter

Quinoa Tabbouli and a Nearly Instant Mezze Platter: A nearly instant mezze (aka Middle Eastern, aka Mediterranean) platter is centered around an easy quinoa tabbouli. Add olives, stuffed grape leaves, pita, and hummus, and you’ve got a feast, fast!

Baked dishes

Roasted Acorn Squash with Quinoa Stuffing

Roasted Acorn Squash with Quinoa Stuffing: This roasted acorn squash with quinoa stuffing is the perfect holiday or special occasion dish.

Quinoa Broccoli Casserole

Vegan Broccoli Quinoa Casserole: This easy vegan broccoli quinoa casserole makes for a dish that’s both nourishing and comforting.

Crumbles, Burgers, & Sloppy Joes

Beefless Vegan Taco Crumbles

Walnut & Mushroom Beefy Vegan Vegan Crumbles: Beefy vegan crumbles are so easy to make from whole foods. These beefy-textured plant-based crumbles are made with walnuts, mushrooms, and either bulgur or quinoa.

Red lentil and quinoa burgers

Red Lentil and Quinoa Burgers: With all the great vegan burgers on the market, you might wonder — why bother making them? Two reasons: Economy and quantity. Red lentil and quinoa burgers are easy to make, tasty, and economical.

Vegan pinto bean and quinoa sloppy joes

Pinto Bean and Quinoa Sloppy Joes: If you’re not a fan of commercial meat substitutes but still get a craving for something meaty, you’ll love these hearty vegan sloppy joes.

Breakfast

Quinoa breakfast bowl with fresh fruit

Fruity Quinoa Breakfast Bowls: Create your own hearty quinoa breakfast bowls with fresh seasonal fruits, all year round. Vary it with other whole grains — oats, brown rice, and more.

Whole Grain Breakfast Bowls with Apple, Peanut Butter, and Jam

Peanut Butter and Jam Whole Grain Breakfast Bowls: Here’s a fun and warming way to start the day — whole grain breakfast bowls topped with apple, peanut butter, and jam.

Filed Under: Easy Vegan Recipes, Recipe Roundups

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