• Recipes
    • Search my Recipes
    • Recipe Categories
  • Lifestyle
  • Fitness
  • Nutrition
  • |
  • About
  • Work With Me
    • Brand partnerships
    • Nutrition Coaching

Home » Recipe Index

January 8, 2021 (Updated September 27, 2022)

14 Easy Quinoa Recipes You’ll Love

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

3 comments
share this post:
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Email

Stock up on some quinoa, and you’ll be ready to make these easy quinoa recipes in no time!

I’m a huge fan of quinoa. It’s healthy, filling, and so versatile. It’s got a long shelf life, so it can hang out on your pantry shelf for a while until you’re ready to cook it up. 

Plus, it’s great for meal prep: you can cook it ahead of time, then use it later in the week to throw together a quick meal.

easy quinoa recipes

Want to save this post?

Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I'll send you great content every week!

Save Recipe

What does quinoa taste like?

Quinoa is an ancient grain that has a similar taste to rice, but with a slightly nuttier, lightly sweet flavor. It has a fluffy, slightly chewy texture.

Like rice, it absorbs the flavor of what it’s cooked in – such as chicken broth, coconut milk, or other liquids.

How is quinoa cooked?

To cook quinoa, bring water (or broth) to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook for as long as the package directs – usually around 15 minutes. Keep your pot or saucepan uncovered while it cooks.

Then, remove the pot from heat, cover it, and let the quinoa steam for 5 more minutes. Lastly, fluff with a fork and enjoy!

You’ll want to use twice as much water as quinoa, and make sure to simmer the quinoa until it has absorbed all the liquid.

Pro tip: rinse your uncooked quinoa in cold water for about a minute, until the water runs clear. This helps make sure to remove any remaining saponin (a bitter-tasting – but natural – substance that can be left behind by the husks) from the quinoa.

Easy Quinoa Recipes

And now for the quinoa dish inspiration!

Some of these quinoa recipes are among my most popular blog recipes ever, and for good reason! I’ve separated them into a few categories: quinoa salad, side dishes, quinoa breakfast ideas, and main dishes/desserts with quinoa. 

For more on how to cook quinoa properly (and the health benefits of quinoa!), check out this post: Quinoa 101: How To Cook Quinoa + Quinoa Recipes.

Quinoa Salad Recipes

Vegan Cranberry Quinoa Salad

I love how refreshing, simple, and tasty this recipe is. Perfect for the holidays, potlucks, or even a casual fall meal! The cranberries give it a little sweet & tangy flavor, while the pecans give it a bit of crunch.

This cranberry quinoa salad recipe was actually served at our wedding, too!

Quinoa Taco Salad

quinoa taco salad

This quinoa salad has a great balance of veggies, fiber, protein, and healthy fat. Super satisfying, healthy, and so dang tasty! Not to mention super easy to throw together.

Fun fact: this is one of the most popular recipes on my blog thanks to Pinterest (<- my account if you want to be friends!), where it’s a big hit!

Kale and Quinoa Salad with Soft Boiled Eggs

quinoa salad with soft-boiled eggs

This healthy grain salad is a great lunch option! The combination of quinoa, tons of veggies, a dijon vinaigrette, runny eggs, and feta cheese makes for a super satisfying meal.

It’s easy to take on the go, too!

Quinoa Salad with Orange Vinaigrette, Avocado & Arugula

This portable salad combines orange-infused quinoa and an orange vinaigrette for a burst of refreshing flavor. Great with sliced avocado on top.

Mediterranean Green Tea Quinoa Salad

This recipe calls for cooking quinoa in green tea. It brings out a super unique and delicious flavor!

I actually demo-ed this recipe live in person at an event at FNCE, the annual dietitian conference, one year – it was fun to show the audience how to make it!

Side Dishes + Snacks

Vegan “Cheesy” Mushroom Quinoa

This savory side dish packs a ton of flavor. It’s hearty enough to satisfy meat-eaters, but totally vegan and veggie-packed!

Comforting Pumpkin Quinoa

This is a perfect side dish for autumn or winter, with warm pumpkin flavors and spices. Simple and delicious!

Lemony Spinach Quinoa with Beans

This lemony spinach quinoa salad features kidney beans and feta for a tasty side dish or light lunch that’s easy to throw together.

This used to be one of my favorite meals to pack for work back when I worked in an office!

Gluten Free Dark Chocolate Quinoa Bars

easy quinoa bars recipe with dark chocolate

Yes, you read that right – quinoa + chocolate! This nutrient-dense, portable snack will be a hit with the whole family – especially chocolate lovers!

Quinoa Breakfast Recipes

Berry Lemon Quinoa Breakfast Bake

This quinoa breakfast bake is a delicious make ahead breakfast. It’s lemony, bright, and fancy enough for brunch, too!

Coconut Breakfast Quinoa

coconut breakfast quinoa

This coconut quinoa is a great way to mix up your typical oatmeal/porridge breakfast! It’s creamy with a deliciously chewy texture and flaky coconut and sliced banana on top.

Quinoa Main Dishes

Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash with Cranberries

This acorn squash has a delicious quinoa filling that’s flavorful and healthy. It’s easy to make and a great weeknight meal that also looks fancy enough for a holiday dinner!

Instant Pot Quinoa Fried Rice

Instant Pot quinoa fried rice recipe

This is a delicious and healthy instant pot recipe you’ll love. It’s comfort food with a lighter, veggie-packed twist.

(For more Instant Pot fun, check out this post: Healthy Instant Pot Recipes.)

Grilled Shrimp & Pineapple Skewers with Coconut Quinoa

Cooking quinoa in coconut milk amplifies its nutty flavor, making it a delicious and unique tasting side dish. It goes really well with Asian-inspired mains like this soy-glazed grilled shrimp and pineapple.

And there you have it: my favorite easy quinoa recipes! I’d love to hear about your favorite ways to make quinoa. Let me know in the comments below!

You might also like this vegan Mexican quinoa salad.

Looking for healthy meals that would go well with quinoa sides? Check these out:

  • Watermelon Chicken with Balsamic Glaze
  • Mediterranean Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs
  • Orange Ginger Salmon
  • Salmon with Lemon Mustard Dill Sauce
  • Mix & Match Sheet Pan Dinners (includes a delicious tofu recipe!)
  • Sheet Pan Asian Salmon with Veggies
- anne
share this post:
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Email

join the list

Sign up for my e-newsletter and I'll send you a meal plan packed with a week's worth of healthy meals, snacks and a shopping list. Happy eating!

you might also like:

Easy Holiday Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Pecans (Vegan)

quinoa taco salad

Quinoa Taco Salad

Berry Quinoa Bake with Lemon

stack of chocolate chip quinoa bars

Chocolate Chip Quinoa Bars (Gluten Free)

leave a comment

Cancel reply

3 comments
  • V January 8, 2021 · 12:53PM:
    Anne, I hope you had this post pre-scheduled to go up and are perhaps gathering your thoughts on how to comment on Wednesday's events. None of the bloggers I read have even made mention of one of the most significant events in the 21st century—instead just moving on about their lives, pretending it didn't happen. I would be particularly interested in your perspective given you live near the epicenter. I get trying to keep content light as a respite for your readers, but I know many are scratching our heads about the lack of even a simple acknowledgement of what happened. Not mentioning it AT ALL reads as flippant and out of touch.
    Reply
    • Anne
      January 8, 2021 · 1:36PM:
      Hi V, yes, this was pre-scheduled/already written - I often work ahead quite a bit for the blog. If you'd like to see me sharing comments/thoughts on the hot mess that was this week (and on future hot mess situations as I'm sure this isn't over), feel free to follow me on Instagram stories - I've been sharing a lot there over the past few days, particularly related to how horrifying the stark difference was between the response to the BLM protests (extreme show of force + violence) vs. the attack on the Capitol (police essentially smiling and waving them in). It's absurd and not okay.
      Reply
  • Roadrunner January 9, 2021 · 10:47PM:
    Thanks, Anne. Quinoa is terrific, and these recipes look great!
    Reply
- next post
previous post -

about Anne

anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
Learn more

fannetastic reads

Top Posts
01

My Top 9 Most Popular Recipes + Posts

02

Why I Don’t Recommend Whole30

03

What Causes Sugar Cravings (+ How to Stop Them!)

04

How I Make Money As a Blogger

05

Blog Recipes We Make Again and Again

06

What to Eat Before and After a Long Run

07

What to Eat During Long Runs

08

7 Common Nutrition Myths

09

How to Love Veggies

connect with Anne

Email me
anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

When I’m not writing or cooking for fannetastic food, you can find me running, coaching nutrition clients, or on an adventure with my family. Feel free to reach out - I'd love to hear from you!

follow anne:

join the list

Sign up for my e-newsletter and I'll send you a meal plan packed with a week's worth of healthy meals, snacks and a shopping list. Happy eating!

back to top
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recent Posts
  • Privacy Policy
  • FAQ

© copyright fannetastic food