15 Best Quick and Healthy Quinoa Recipes - Damn Delicious (2024)

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Post navigation Leave a Reply 19 comments Chi Laigo Vallido — February 29, 2020 @ 12:35 PM Reply Your quinoa recipes are so yummy. It has been difficult making a switch from eating rice. Asians without rice? What’s up with that right? But my lab results showed that I am pre-diabetic so I need to make changes while I still have time to reverse my condition. Thank you for this. I will now be a regular follower. MaryAnn Kazmierczak — January 12, 2018 @ 3:48 PM Reply Would love to see nutritional values of your recipes. Chungah — January 12, 2018 @ 3:49 PM Reply Nutritional information is provided only for select and new recipes at this time. However, if it is not available for a specific recipe, I recommend using free online resources at your discretion (you can Google “nutritional calculator”) to obtain such information. Hope that helps, MaryAnn! Susanne — January 12, 2018 @ 12:45 PM Reply Wow, what a bunch of great recipes! Thanks, Chungah. I really like quinoa & make it a lot — but never even *thought* of putting it in spring rolls or using it as “breading”! I’ll be making the quinoa garlic mushroom dish for supper tonight because I have a bunch of mushrooms I want to use up. My usual “go to” for quinoa is either a cold salad or a hot veggie dish, both made the same way: I dice raw carrot, celery, bell pepper & green onion and toss them into cooked quinoa. Add some lightly steamed broccoli, olives, feta and/or blue cheese. In the summer, I sprinkle that with some balsamic & olive oil & eat. In winter, I toss it all into the microwave & nuke it for a minute or two & eat it hot, sometimes adding cooked peas, corn and/or black beans. Delicious either way. And I always toss a spoonful or two (uncooked) into my ancient grains’n’seeds porridge. Good, and good for you — how can you not love it? Amanda — September 5, 2017 @ 7:51 AM Reply The one pan Mexican quinoa is my new go to dish. Everyone who’s tried it has asked for the recipe so I’ve sent them to your website. It is so easy and so delicious! Taylor (Utah Health) — July 30, 2017 @ 7:11 PM Reply I tried the Kale salad with Lemon dressing and it’s fantastic! I’ll try the Blueberry Quinoa breakfast bowl next, and I can’t wait! Thanks so much for the recipes. Nicole G — March 2, 2017 @ 3:17 PM Reply OK, so this week I made the one pan mexican quinoa…OH.MY.GOD!! I hardly have words. My husband and I just kept looking at each other. I could eat that every day for the rest of my life – no joke!Tonight I made the Cheesy broccoli casserole, and again it was another hit! We were eating salads for dinner and if I eat another salad, I’ll upchuck. These are delicious, healthy and easy.Thank you so, so much! Abigail Murdock — May 19, 2016 @ 8:50 PM Reply Blueberry Breakfast Quinoa sounds my type, healthy and yummy, thanks Chungah for sharing your 15 best recipes for quinoa. Mary M. Martinez — March 16, 2016 @ 8:09 AM Reply LOVE this post! And your pictures are beautiful! Chelsea Love — February 24, 2016 @ 9:38 AM Reply I purchased quinoa on a whim a few months ago but have been unable to find any toddler/boyfriend-friendly recipes until this list. Thanks for putting it all together! Rebecca — January 17, 2015 @ 2:12 PM Reply These look great! I’ve had a hard time finding a variety of good quinoa recipes. So many yummy options here! Simple Green Moms — January 16, 2015 @ 10:23 AM Reply I have always been more of a rice kinda gal, BUT some of these recipes just changed my mind! =) PINNED. Thanks for sharing! Chels — January 16, 2015 @ 9:35 AM Reply Mmm, I love quinoa and am always looking for more ways to use it. Pinned! Tina Coulombe — January 12, 2018 @ 1:01 PM Reply I have never tried quinoa Could give me some ideal what its like Thank you Jules @ WolfItDown — January 15, 2015 @ 2:28 PM Reply Mmm I love the flavour of quinoa, and these are all such great recipes! I would never have thought to use them in spring rolls – clever 😀 Thanks for the round-up, I’ll be sure to stock up on quinoa 😀 x Abigail — January 15, 2015 @ 10:10 AM Reply Nom nom nom!! These look amazingDo you think I use botched soggy quinoa for any of these recipes and if not could you provide ideas on what I could do with it, because of my new years resolutions is not to waste food so it will be used for something even if I have to make a foot scrub out of it lol? I was going to make some fried quinoa and some barbeque chicken quinoa and I ruined two cups of dried quinoa. I’d never cooked that large an amount before, I should have stuck to making each batch separately like I had in the past lol. I did use one cup in a broccoli and cheese casserole so I chuckled a bit when I saw that recipe. Chungah — January 15, 2015 @ 10:18 AM Reply Unfortunately, I don’t have much experience using “botched soggy quinoa” before in any of my recipes! Although this quinoa veggie fried rice might be worth trying out – you’ll be adding in a ton of other veggies so it may balance out the botched quinoa! kelsey — August 17, 2016 @ 9:57 PM Reply If you over cook your quinoa chop up some herbs and jalapenos mix in some egg and panko and turn them into patties…you can freeze them and store for a later time Olivia - Primavera Kitchen — January 15, 2015 @ 4:41 AM Reply Wow so many delicious quinoa recipes in here! Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts FAQs

19 Comments »

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So easy, nutritious and hearty. Best of all, they don’t even taste “healthy”!

15 Best Quick and Healthy Quinoa Recipes - Damn Delicious (1)

To compensatefor all those non-diet-friendly recipesI started posting since the start of January – particularly that lemon butter chicken and the easy creamy mushrooms – I thought it would be best to redeem myself by rounding up some of my favorite quinoa recipes. After all, life is all about balance, right?

1. Quinoa Enchilada Casserole – A lightened-up, healthy enchilada bake chockfull of quinoa, black beans and cheesy goodness. [GET THE RECIPE.]

2. Kale Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette – Perfect as a light lunch or even a meatless Monday dinner option. [GET THE RECIPE.]

3.Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers – These stuffed bell peppers will provide the nutrition that you need for a healthy, balanced meal. [GET THE RECIPE.]

4.Blueberry Breakfast Quinoa – Start your day off right with this protein-packed breakfast bowl. [GET THE RECIPE.]

5. Roasted Shrimp Quinoa Spring Rolls – Quinoa is a wonderful protein-packed substitute for rice noodles in these easy peasy spring rolls. [GET THE RECIPE.]

6. Whole Food’s California Quinoa Salad – A healthy, nutritious copycat recipe that tastes 1000x better than the store-bought version. [GET THE RECIPE.]

7. Garlic Mushroom Quinoa – An easy, healthy side dish that you’ll want to make with every single meal. [GET THE RECIPE.]

8.Strawberry Quinoa Salad – A healthy, filling salad tossed in a sweet and tangy balsamic vinaigrette, creating the perfect blend of flavors. [GET THE RECIPE.]

9. Quinoa Chicken Parmesan – With an amazingly crisp quinoa crust, you’ll never guess that this is actually so healthy and packed with tons of protein. [GET THE RECIPE.]

10. Black Bean Quinoa Salad – A light and refreshingsalad tossed in an orange vinaigrette, loaded with plenty of fiber. [GET THE RECIPE.]

11. Asian Quinoa Meatballs – Perfect as a light dinner over brown rice and a side of roasted vegetables.[GET THE RECIPE.]

12. Quinoa Fruit Salad – This protein-packed salad is balanced with a tart vinaigrette and refreshing mint. [GET THE RECIPE.]

13. Broccoli Quinoa Casserole – Healthy, cheesy comfort food without any of the guilt. [GET THE RECIPE.]

14. Asian Quinoa Salad – A quick and easy healthy salad dressed in sweet and tangy Asian flavors, loaded with tons of vibrant veggies. [GET THE RECIPE.]

15. One Pan Mexican Quinoa -Wonderfully light, healthy and nutritious. And it’s so easy to make – even the quinoa is cooked right in the pan. [GET THE RECIPE.]

posted on January 14, 2015under round up
19 CommentsLeave a Comment »

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19 comments
  1. Chi Laigo Vallido February 29, 2020 @ 12:35 PM Reply

    Your quinoa recipes are so yummy. It has been difficult making a switch from eating rice. Asians without rice? What’s up with that right? But my lab results showed that I am pre-diabetic so I need to make changes while I still have time to reverse my condition. Thank you for this. I will now be a regular follower.

  2. MaryAnn Kazmierczak January 12, 2018 @ 3:48 PM Reply

    Would love to see nutritional values of your recipes.

    • Chungah January 12, 2018 @ 3:49 PM Reply

      Nutritional information is provided only for select and new recipes at this time. However, if it is not available for a specific recipe, I recommend using free online resources at your discretion (you can Google “nutritional calculator”) to obtain such information. Hope that helps, MaryAnn!

  3. Susanne January 12, 2018 @ 12:45 PM Reply

    Wow, what a bunch of great recipes! Thanks, Chungah. I really like quinoa & make it a lot — but never even *thought* of putting it in spring rolls or using it as “breading”! I’ll be making the quinoa garlic mushroom dish for supper tonight because I have a bunch of mushrooms I want to use up. My usual “go to” for quinoa is either a cold salad or a hot veggie dish, both made the same way: I dice raw carrot, celery, bell pepper & green onion and toss them into cooked quinoa. Add some lightly steamed broccoli, olives, feta and/or blue cheese. In the summer, I sprinkle that with some balsamic & olive oil & eat. In winter, I toss it all into the microwave & nuke it for a minute or two & eat it hot, sometimes adding cooked peas, corn and/or black beans. Delicious either way. And I always toss a spoonful or two (uncooked) into my ancient grains’n’seeds porridge. Good, and good for you — how can you not love it?

  4. Amanda September 5, 2017 @ 7:51 AM Reply

    The one pan Mexican quinoa is my new go to dish. Everyone who’s tried it has asked for the recipe so I’ve sent them to your website. It is so easy and so delicious!

  5. Taylor (Utah Health) July 30, 2017 @ 7:11 PM Reply

    I tried the Kale salad with Lemon dressing and it’s fantastic! I’ll try the Blueberry Quinoa breakfast bowl next, and I can’t wait! Thanks so much for the recipes.

  6. Nicole G March 2, 2017 @ 3:17 PM Reply

    OK, so this week I made the one pan mexican quinoa…OH.MY.GOD!! I hardly have words. My husband and I just kept looking at each other. I could eat that every day for the rest of my life – no joke!
    Tonight I made the Cheesy broccoli casserole, and again it was another hit! We were eating salads for dinner and if I eat another salad, I’ll upchuck. These are delicious, healthy and easy.
    Thank you so, so much!

  7. Abigail Murdock May 19, 2016 @ 8:50 PM Reply

    Blueberry Breakfast Quinoa sounds my type, healthy and yummy, thanks Chungah for sharing your 15 best recipes for quinoa.

  8. Mary M. Martinez March 16, 2016 @ 8:09 AM Reply

    LOVE this post! And your pictures are beautiful!

  9. Chelsea Love February 24, 2016 @ 9:38 AM Reply

    I purchased quinoa on a whim a few months ago but have been unable to find any toddler/boyfriend-friendly recipes until this list. Thanks for putting it all together!

  10. Rebecca January 17, 2015 @ 2:12 PM Reply

    These look great! I’ve had a hard time finding a variety of good quinoa recipes. So many yummy options here!

  11. Simple Green Moms January 16, 2015 @ 10:23 AM Reply

    I have always been more of a rice kinda gal, BUT some of these recipes just changed my mind! =) PINNED. Thanks for sharing!

  12. Chels January 16, 2015 @ 9:35 AM Reply

    Mmm, I love quinoa and am always looking for more ways to use it. Pinned!

    • Tina Coulombe January 12, 2018 @ 1:01 PM Reply

      I have never tried quinoa Could give me some ideal what its like Thank you

  13. Jules @ WolfItDown January 15, 2015 @ 2:28 PM Reply

    Mmm I love the flavour of quinoa, and these are all such great recipes! I would never have thought to use them in spring rolls – clever 😀 Thanks for the round-up, I’ll be sure to stock up on quinoa 😀 x

  14. Abigail January 15, 2015 @ 10:10 AM Reply

    Nom nom nom!! These look amazing

    Do you think I use botched soggy quinoa for any of these recipes and if not could you provide ideas on what I could do with it, because of my new years resolutions is not to waste food so it will be used for something even if I have to make a foot scrub out of it lol? I was going to make some fried quinoa and some barbeque chicken quinoa and I ruined two cups of dried quinoa. I’d never cooked that large an amount before, I should have stuck to making each batch separately like I had in the past lol. I did use one cup in a broccoli and cheese casserole so I chuckled a bit when I saw that recipe.

    • Chungah January 15, 2015 @ 10:18 AM Reply

      Unfortunately, I don’t have much experience using “botched soggy quinoa” before in any of my recipes! Although this quinoa veggie fried rice might be worth trying out – you’ll be adding in a ton of other veggies so it may balance out the botched quinoa!

    • kelsey August 17, 2016 @ 9:57 PM Reply

      If you over cook your quinoa chop up some herbs and jalapenos mix in some egg and panko and turn them into patties…you can freeze them and store for a later time

  15. Olivia - Primavera Kitchen January 15, 2015 @ 4:41 AM Reply

    Wow so many delicious quinoa recipes in here!

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a vast amount of information on various topics, including quinoa recipes. I can provide you with information about the concepts mentioned in this article. However, I have access to the specific recipes mentioned in the article. If you have any specific questions or need information about quinoa or any other topic, feel free to ask!

Quinoa is a nutritious grain-like seed that has gained popularity in recent years due to its health benefits and versatility in cooking. It is considered a superfood because it is a complete protein source, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. Quinoa is also gluten-free and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Here are some key concepts related to the article:

Quinoa:

Quinoa is a seed that is often used as a grain substitute in cooking. It has a nutty flavor and a slightly crunchy texture. Quinoa is highly nutritious and is a good source of protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals. It can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, casseroles, and breakfast bowls.

Quinoa Recipes:

This article mentions several quinoa recipes, including Quinoa Enchilada Casserole, Kale Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette, Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers, Blueberry Breakfast Quinoa, Roasted Shrimp Quinoa Spring Rolls, Whole Food's California Quinoa Salad, Garlic Mushroom Quinoa, Strawberry Quinoa Salad, Quinoa Chicken Parmesan, Black Bean Quinoa Salad, Asian Quinoa Meatballs, Quinoa Fruit Salad, Broccoli Quinoa Casserole, Asian Quinoa Salad, and One Pan Mexican Quinoa.

These recipes showcase the versatility of quinoa and how it can be incorporated into various dishes, from salads to casseroles to breakfast bowls. Each recipe offers a unique combination of flavors and ingredients to create a delicious and nutritious meal.

Nutritional Information:

One commenter in the article mentioned the desire for nutritional values of the recipes. While the article did not provide specific nutritional information for each recipe, it is possible to calculate the nutritional values using free online resources. There are various websites and apps available that provide nutritional calculators, which can help determine the nutritional content of a recipe based on its ingredients.

Please note that the information provided here is a general overview of the concepts mentioned in the article. If you have any specific questions or need more information about quinoa or any other topic, feel free to ask!

15 Best Quick and Healthy Quinoa Recipes - Damn Delicious (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest way to eat quinoa? ›

Toss it in salads.

Quinoa is a complete source of protein and makes a great addition to a healthy salad. The combination of fiber, protein and healthy fats can turn a light side salad into a robust entrée.

What can you add to quinoa to make it taste better? ›

What can I add to quinoa after it's cooked? In addition to more of the spices, salt and pepper, or squeeze of citrus, fresh herbs such as cilantro, basil, and mint work beautifully with this spiced quinoa.

How do you make quinoa less boring? ›

Easy ways to flavor quinoa: Broth: first and foremost, change up the liquid that you're using to cook your quinoa. Rather than using water, try to change it up for broth (veggie, chicken, beef, mushroom, etc). You can also use coconut milk if you're wanting something a little more creamy/tropical.

Does quinoa burn belly fat? ›

Quinoa: High in protein, quinoa keeps you full with its high levels of plant-based proteins. It decreases your appetite and promotes belly fat decrease.

What does quinoa do to your gut? ›

Studies suggest quinoa may improve gut health by enhancing the diversity of beneficial gut bacteria and reducing the inflammatory symptoms of conditions like colitis. Acting as a prebiotic, quinoa supplies the fuel for beneficial gut bacteria, allowing them to thrive.

Why should you soak quinoa before cooking? ›

*Soaking grains helps to remove some of the naturally occurring phytic acid in the grain, which helps improve digestibility and speed cook time. To soak: Rinse quinoa thoroughly then add to a large mixing bowl or pot and cover with twice the amount of lukewarm water (2 cups water, 1 cup quinoa).

Why do I feel better after eating quinoa? ›

Quinoa is a nutritious choice for people looking for plant-based protein sources—it's a complete protein, containing all nine of the essential amino acids. Plus, its dietary fiber may help improve your digestion. Likewise, its fiber and protein content can help make you feel more satiated than other grains.

What happens if you don t wash quinoa? ›

The whole debate started thanks to saponin, a naturally occurring chemical that coats every tiny grain of quinoa. It's there for good reason—to ward off insects—but it has a strong, unpleasant taste. Rinsing the quinoa gets rid of the saponin and thus its bitter flavor—great.

How do you pimp up quinoa? ›

And then get cooking!
  1. Cook It In Vegetable or Chicken Broth. Shutterstock. ...
  2. Add Fresh Herbs. Shutterstock. ...
  3. Toast It In Oil Before Boiling. Shutterstock. ...
  4. Add Tiny Chopped Up Pieces Of Garlic And Onion. ...
  5. Sweeten Up Quinoa By Cooking It Like Oatmeal. ...
  6. Add Plenty Of Cheese. ...
  7. Mix Quinoa With Breadcrumbs. ...
  8. Use It In Vegetarian Chili.
Jan 27, 2016

How to eat quinoa for weight loss? ›

To consume quinoa for weight loss, you can cook it into a sweet breakfast porridge with chia seeds, milk and fruit on top. Quinoa can also be popped like popcorn in a pan. Add some seasoning and enjoy it as a snack, or make your own granola or chiwda using popped quinoa.

How do you make quinoa not gross? ›

Unless you prefer the more pronounced, earthier taste of the seed, I recommend giving it a quick rinse under cool running water, which gets rid of its natural coating that can cause a bitter taste. Even if the box says it is pre-washed, I find it doesn't hurt to give the quinoa another rinse.

What should I season quinoa with? ›

If you're serving it as a simple side, season it first. At the very least, toss it with salt, pepper, lemon or lime juice, and a drizzle of olive oil. To kick it up another notch, stir in chopped herbs, minced garlic, toasted nuts, or crumbled feta cheese, or use it in one of the quinoa recipes below!

What flavors go well with quinoa? ›

I find that some of the best seasonings for quinoa are cumin, dried bay leaf, turmeric, and salt, and black pepper. I also love to flavor it with fresh garlic and herbs such as parsley, dill, and cilantro. You can add the seasonings of your choice into the pot at the same time with the liquid and cook it as directed.

Is quinoa healthier than rice? ›

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice. A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

Is quinoa healthier raw or cooked? ›

Therefore, it takes 300g of cooked quinoa to have the same nutrients as 100g of uncooked quinoa. On paper, this looks like it has 1/3 the nutrients, but in reality it's the same number of grains of quinoa, they're just much plumper now that they've absorbed water.

What is the healthiest form of quinoa? ›

The darkest variety of quinoa is the black quinoa which is super rich and healthy as compared to the other two versions. It is the healthiest option of quinoa that has more protein, dietary fiber, and less amount of fat content inside. It takes time to cook black quinoa due to its nuttier and fluffy texture.

Is quinoa actually better for you than rice? ›

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice. A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

Can I eat quinoa every day? ›

You can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day. You should avoid eating it if you experience stomachache, itchiness or vomiting after consuming it. A study by Harvard Public School of Health has reported that eating a bowl of quinoa daily is healthy and without any side effects.

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