How To Cook Quinoa Perfectly: Easy Tips and Recipe Ideas

Cooking quinoa can feel a bit intimidating at first, but with a few tips and tricks, you’ll have perfectly fluffy quinoa ready to add to your favorite dishes. Whether you’re new to quinoa or simply looking to refine your technique, we’ll walk you through each step of how to cook quinoa to ensure it turns out perfect every time. 

To cook quinoa, you’ll need a few basic tools: a fine-mesh strainer for rinsing, a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid and a fork or spoon for fluffing. If you’re looking to add some flavor, you might also want to keep some spices, broth or fresh herbs on hand. Now let’s see how to make quinoa taste good!

How to cook quinoa on the stove

Cooking quinoa on the stove is simple and quick, making it an easy way to get this versatile grain onto your plate in no time. Follow these steps for perfectly fluffy quinoa that can serve as the base for salads, bowls or a tasty side dish.

1. Rinse the quinoa: Place the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse it under cold water for about 30 seconds. This helps remove the natural coating called saponin, which can sometimes make quinoa taste bitter.
2. Measure and add water: In a medium saucepan, add 1 cup of rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water or broth for extra flavor.
3. Bring to a boil: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Reduce and simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid and let it simmer for 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed.
5. Let it rest: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the quinoa sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow any remaining steam to finish the cooking.
6. Fluff and serve: Use a fork to gently fluff the quinoa, then serve or incorporate it into your favorite recipe.

Cooking tip: For extra flavor, try lightly toasting the quinoa in the saucepan for two to three minutes before adding water. Stir it over medium heat until it smells nutty and turns golden, then add your water or broth.

How to cook quinoa in the microwave

If you’re short on time, cooking quinoa in the microwave is a fast and easy option that requires minimal effort. With just a microwave-safe bowl and a few simple steps, you’ll have perfectly cooked quinoa in minutes. Follow these steps:

1. Rinse the quinoa: Place 1 cup of quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse it under cold water to remove any bitterness.
2. Add water and cover: In a large, microwave-safe bowl, combine the rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water. Make sure to use a bowl large enough to allow room for the quinoa to expand as it cooks. Cover the bowl loosely with a microwave-safe lid or plate.
3. Microwave on high: Cook the quinoa on high for six minutes. Carefully stir, then microwave for an additional two to three minutes or until the water is absorbed.
4. Let it sit: Remove the bowl from the microwave and let the quinoa rest, covered, for 5 minutes. This final steaming step helps the quinoa finish cooking and keeps it fluffy.
5. Fluff and serve: Use a fork to fluff the quinoa, then enjoy it as a side dish, salad base or in place of rice in any dish.

Cooking tip: If you want extra flavor, try adding a pinch of salt or a splash of broth to the water before microwaving. 

How to cook quinoa in rice cooker

Using a rice cooker is one of the easiest, most hands-off ways to prepare quinoa. With this method, you can simply set it and let the rice cooker do the work, leaving you with perfectly fluffy quinoa every time. Here’s how to do it:

1. Rinse the quinoa: Place 1 cup of quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse it thoroughly under cold water to remove any bitterness.
2. Add to the rice cooker: Transfer the rinsed quinoa to the rice cooker, and add 2 cups of water or broth for extra flavor.
3. Cook on the white rice setting: Set the rice cooker to the white rice or standard setting, and start cooking. Most rice cookers will automatically switch to “warm” when the quinoa is ready, typically in 15-20 minutes.
4. Let it rest: Once the rice cooker switches to the warm setting, let the quinoa sit for a few minutes with the lid closed to finish steaming.
5. Fluff and serve: Open the rice cooker, fluff the quinoa with a fork and serve.

Cooking tip: To add a hint of flavor, toss in a bay leaf or a garlic clove before cooking. Just remember to remove it before serving for a subtle, infused taste.

Tips for cooking quinoa perfectly

Mastering a few simple techniques can make a big difference in cooking quinoa, especially if you’re planning to use it for salad toppings or meal prep. 

1. Rinse the quinoa: Always start by rinsing the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water. This removes the natural coating, called saponin, which can give quinoa a slightly bitter taste.
2. Use the right water-to-quinoa ratio: The key to fluffy quinoa is the ratio. Use 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of quinoa. This helps the quinoa absorb enough moisture without becoming too mushy.
3. Bring to a boil, then simmer: Start cooking quinoa by bringing it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it boils, reduce the heat to low, cover and let it simmer until the water is absorbed. This steady simmer helps the grains cook evenly.
4. Fluff with a fork: After cooking, let the quinoa sit for a few minutes with the lid on, then gently fluff it with a fork. This step separates the grains, giving you a light, fluffy texture ideal for salad toppings or adding to meal prep bowls.

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Kosher salt

Ground black pepper

Garlic powder

Onion powder

Italian seasoning

Garlic salt

Paprika

Maple syrup

Honey

Cumin

Oregano

Curry powder

Rosemary

Thyme

Red pepper flakes

Balsamic vinegar

Easy quinoa recipes

Quinoa is a versatile gluten-free grain that works well in various recipes, making it a fantastic addition to meals alongside other types of grains. Whether you’re looking for quick lunches, hearty dinners or meals that freeze well for easy prep, quinoa can be a delicious and nourishing choice. 

Here are some easy quinoa recipes you can try at home:

• Quinoa and vegetable stir-fry
• Quinoa and vegetable paella
• Vegan Mediterranean quinoa bowl
• Quinoa tofu veggie bowl
• Nourhsing quinoa salad with fresh parsley
• Quinoa bowl
• Asian quinoa bowl
• Vegan Mexican quinoa salad

How To Cook Quinoa Perfectly: Easy Tips and Recipe Ideas

Recipe by InstacartCourse: RecipesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Cooking quinoa on the stove is quick and simple, resulting in fluffy grains that pair perfectly with a variety of dishes. With just a few ingredients and easy steps, you’ll have a versatile base for salads, bowls or side dishes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed

• 2 cups water or broth

Directions

• In a medium saucepan, add the rinsed quinoa and water (or broth).
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover and let simmer for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed.
• Remove from heat, let sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Serve and enjoy.

Shop for quinoa on Instacart today 

Now that you know how to cook quinoa perfectly, you can use it in all kinds of meals, from hearty salads to four-ingredient lunch recipes. Quinoa’s versatility and light, nutty flavor make it a great addition to your weekly meal prep or a go-to side for weeknight dinners. 

Ready to get started? Head to Instacart to shop for quinoa and all the ingredients you need. Whether you’re stocking up for meal prep or planning an easy lunch, Instacart makes it easy to add everything to your cart and have it delivered right to your door.

Cady Cohen

Author

Cady Cohen is a culinary writer at Instacart who empowers home cooks to navigate the exciting world of food with confidence. She has worked in digital media for over seven years covering food, health, and wellness. From handy conversion charts and recipe calculators to in-depth cooking guides, Cady's work makes grocery shopping a breeze and empowers you to make informed choices about what you put on your plate.

Heather Matley

Editor

Heather Matley is an editor at Instacart whose passion for food and cooking has inspired her work on everything from grocery guides to recipe development. With over eight years of experience in editing, content creation, and search engine optimization, she strives to empower readers with the most effective tools, guides, and ideas to transform their home cooking.