How to Cook Quinoa (3 Easy Steps!)

This post shows you how to cook quinoa with step by step photos. This method yields perfect and fluffy results each and every time using three important steps.

Quinoa is a staple in our diet and is an excellent (and more nutritious) alternative to rice. Today I’m sharing the three important steps that will get you perfect, fluffy quinoa!

Let’s just call quinoa a nutritional powerhouse! It’s a great source of fiber, carbohydrates, protein and all of the essential amino acids. It also contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

And the best thing is that quinoa is just as easy (if not easier) to cook than rice! Even though it is technically a seed, quinoa can be used in place of grains in many recipes.

Don’t forget to pin this post to save it for later!

How to cook quinoa

If you have a rice cooker, I highly recommend checking out my post on Cooking Quinoa in a Rice Cooker! 

Cooking quinoa is very similar to cooking rice. Here’s how to cook it:

1. Rinse your quinoa

Many types of store-bought quinoa comes pre-rinsed but I find my quinoa always ends up fluffier if I take the time to rinse it off before cooking. This helps remove traces of the outer shell. Rinse in a colander or immerse in a bowl of water for a minute.

2. Simmer

Combine 2 parts liquid (I like using vegetable or chicken stock) with 1 part quinoa in a pot, and bring to a simmer (uncovered). Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Rest

Remove the pot from the hot burner and place on a cool burner. Just like rice, quinoa benefits from resting (covered) for 10 minutes. This helps all the liquids in the pot distribute evenly, giving you perfect, fluffy results!

Fluff with a fork and you are good to go.

How long does cooked quinoa last? When properly stored, it’s is safe to eat for up to 5 days! I personally have a 4-day limit when it comes to cooked rice & quinoa.

• do not let cooked quinoa sit at room temperature for extended amounts of time (get into the fridge within 2 hours of cooking)
• store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days
• reheat leftovers only once, and make sure they are steaming hot

Can you freeze it? Yes! I do this all the time. You can portion it out in meal prep containers with stir fries, curries, or other freezer-friendly meal prep lunches, or you can freeze a whole batch or individual portions. For individual portions you might wish to freeze in muffin tins, then transfer to a larger freezer bag.

• quinoa can be frozen for up to 3 months (I have gone longer with no issues)

How can I add more flavor to my quinoa? I like to cook it in vegetable or chicken stock for more flavor. Alternatively, you could try some of the flavor combinations in these 7 Easy Rice Recipes! The ratios would likely transfer over to quinoa since the same rice/water ratio is used.

Use it up!

I have a LOT of quinoa recipes on my site. Here are some of my favorites:

• Refreshing Black Bean Quinoa Salad
• Apple Quinoa Breakfast Bars
• Strawberry Spinach Quinoa Jar Salads
• Berry Quinoa Yogurt Parfaits
• Cheesy Spinach Quinoa Cups
• Berry Almond Breakfast Quinoa
• Strawberry Caprese Quinoa Salad
• Quinoa Egg Breakfast Muffins
• Fennel Pomegranate Quinoa Salad
• Charred Corn Salad with Mint & Quinoa