A Chef’s Guide to This Nutrient-Packed Quinoa Supergrain, with our favourite recipes!
Welcome to the quinoa revolution, friends! We’re your go-to chef crew here to make your life easier, tastier, and healthier. If you’ve ever wondered how to cook quinoa, you’re in the right place. This tiny seed is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients—and we’re here to show you why it deserves a permanent spot in your kitchen. Locally we purchase our Quinoa at our local health food store Fiddleheads or online HERE!
A Quick History of Quinoa: An Ancient Grain with Modern Appeal
Before we dive too deep into how to cook quinoa, let’s take a step back in time.
Quinoa has been around for thousands of years—over 5,000, in fact! It was first cultivated in the high-altitude regions of the Andes Mountains, where it became a dietary staple for ancient civilizations like the Incas. In fact, the Incas considered quinoa sacred and called it the “mother of all grains.” Legend has it that Incan emperors would ceremonially plant the first quinoa seeds of the season using golden tools.
Despite its long-standing cultural and nutritional significance in South America, quinoa remained relatively unknown to the rest of the world until the 20th century. As global interest in plant-based eating and ancient grains surged, quinoa stepped into the spotlight. Today, it’s grown around the world—from Peru and Bolivia to the U.S. and Canada.
What Is Quinoa and Why Is It So Popular?
Let’s start with the basics. Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is an ancient seed native to the Andean mountains of South America. Though it’s often called a grain, quinoa is technically a seed. But don’t let that confuse you—it behaves like a grain when cooked and can be used in countless dishes.
The Taste Factor: Does Quinoa Actually Taste Good?
Absolutely! Quinoa has a mild, nutty flavor that blends effortlessly with other ingredients. As chefs, we love how it absorbs whatever seasoning or dressing we toss it with. It’s earthy, slightly grassy, and subtly sweet—think of it as the blank canvas of the grain world.
Whether you’re whipping up a savory pilaf or a sweet breakfast bowl, learning how to cook quinoa will open up a world of culinary creativity.
The Incredible Health Benefits of Quinoa
So why is quinoa such a big deal? Simple—it’s a nutrient powerhouse. Here’s what makes it a standout:
1. A Complete Plant-Based Protein
Most plant foods don’t contain all nine essential amino acids—but quinoa does! That makes it one of the few plant-based complete proteins out there. For vegetarians and vegans, quinoa is a game-changer.
2. Packed With Fibre
Looking to support your gut health? Quinoa is loaded with dietary fibre, which aids digestion, keeps you feeling full, and helps regulate blood sugar levels. Our go-to Basic Quinoa Pilaf is an easy way to pack fibre into your meal.
3. Full of Essential Vitamins and Minerals
Quinoa is rich in magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, folate, and more. These nutrients are essential for everything from muscle function and bone health to energy metabolism and inflammation control.
4. Naturally Gluten-Free
For our gluten-free friends, rejoice! Quinoa is 100% naturally gluten-free. It’s the perfect swap for wheat, barley, or couscous in any recipe.
How to Cook Quinoa Perfectly Every Time
Okay, let’s get into it. Learning how to cook quinoa is super easy, but a few tricks will make it even better.
Step 1: Rinse… or Don’t (We Won’t Judge)
Okay, let’s be honest—we try to rinse our quinoa, but sometimes life’s busy and we just skip it. Technically, quinoa has a natural coating called saponin that can taste bitter or soapy if not rinsed off. A quick rinse under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve does help remove it.
But here’s the thing: most packaged quinoa is pre-rinsed these days. So if you forget (or just don’t feel like it), chances are, it’ll still taste great. We’ve cooked plenty of un-rinsed quinoa and lived to tell the tale—with happy taste buds.
Ok, now we’ve got TWO popular cooking methods. The ‘Ration Method’ will give you a more softer quinoa. The Pasta Method will give you a more separate, al-dente quinoa. 9 times out of 10 we use the pasta method.
Step 2: Cooking using the Right Method:
Use 2 parts liquid (water or broth) to 1 part quinoa. Bring the liquid to a boil, stir in the rinsed quinoa, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes. When the water is fully absorbed, you’re good to go.
Step 3: Fluff It Like a Pro
Once cooked, remove the pot from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. Then fluff the quinoa with a fork to get that light, airy texture we all love.
Step 4: Cooking using the Pasta Method
Another chef tip? Cook quinoa like pasta! Boil a pot of salted water, add the quinoa, and cook for 12–14 minutes. Drain using a fine sieve and spread on a baking sheet to cool. This method is foolproof and gives you perfectly separate grains.
(That’s our third mention of how to cook quinoa—we told you this was the place to learn!)
How to Use Quinoa in Every Meal
Now that you know how to cook quinoa, let’s put it to work in your kitchen. This super seed can do it all.
Quinoa for Breakfast
Kick off your morning with a warm bowl of quinoa porridge. Simmer it in almond milk, then top with berries, nuts, and maple syrup for a hearty start to your day. Or toss some cooked quinoa into granola for an extra nutrient boost.
Quinoa Salads You’ll Crave
Need a lunch upgrade? Use quinoa as the base for a hearty salad. Our Greek Quinoa Salad is a favorite—quinoa tossed with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, baby spinach, feta, and a zesty red wine vinaigrette. It’s light, fresh, and packed with protein.
Quinoa for Dinner: Think Beyond the Grain
Stuff it into peppers, stir it into veggie fried rice, or even toast it and use it as a crust for baked salmon. One of our favorite dinners? Fold quinoa into caramelized onions and mushrooms and serve it alongside grilled steak. You’re welcome.
(Yes, we just slipped in our fifth how to cook quinoa—you’re getting the hang of this!)
Why Quinoa Deserves a Spot in Your Weekly Rotation
We always say: if you don’t already have a bowl of cooked quinoa in your fridge, you will soon. It keeps beautifully for up to five days and makes weeknight meals a breeze. Add it to soups, bowls, smoothies—you name it.
Make-Ahead: Storing and Prepping Quinoa Like a Pro
Once you’ve mastered how to cook quinoa, the next step is using it to make your week way easier. Cooked quinoa is a meal prep superstar. Even having a cup in the fridge to add into soups or chilies is a a great way to increase protein & bulk up leftovers!
How Long Does Cooked Quinoa Last?
Store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and it’ll stay fresh for up to five days. That means one batch can cover breakfast, lunch, and dinner all week long. Just reheat with a splash of water or broth—or toss it cold into a salad or bowl.
Pro Tip: Make a Big Batch
We love cooking a big batch of quinoa on Sunday so it’s ready to roll for fast weeknight dinners and hearty lunches. It freezes well too! Let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers. When you’re ready to use it, thaw overnight in the fridge or zap it in the microwave.
One of Our Favorite Ways to Use It?
Our Miso Glazed Salmon Bowls are a Culinary Studio favorite—and one of our most popular online cooking classes. Quinoa adds the perfect nutty, fluffy base for this sweet-savory umami bomb of a dish. If you haven’t tried it yet, now’s the time.
Learn How to Cook Quinoa with Us
Ready to get started? Try our ultimate quinoa recipe: the Greek Quinoa Salad. It’s been a staple in our kitchen for years and still makes regular appearances on our lunch table. Jody’s niece has been eating almost every week since she was five years old!
We’re chef friends who are here to make your cooking journey easy, flavourful, and fun. And now that you know how to cook quinoa, we can’t wait to see what you create with it.
