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    How To Make Perfectly Cooked Quinoa {plus a video!}

    Feb 15, 2017 / by Laney Schwartz / 26 Comments(updated Sep 21, 2020)

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Perfectly Cooked QuinoaSeems so simple, right? Just add water and quinoa to a pan, bring to a boil, then simmer on low until cooked. Nope. ? It’s not that simple, and I know you know what I’m talking about.

    Perfectly Cooked QuinoaThe bottom always ends up burnt, the quinoa is clumpy and sticks together, and sometimes even soggy! ? No thanks!

    Well fret no more. This is the 100% foolproof method that I promise will work EVERY TIME. For real. I learned this method from my friend Elaine at Eating by Elaine. Funny enough we actually went to high school together, hadn’t talked in yeeeeears and recently reconnected through the food blogging world! How fun is that?! Elaine’s blog is all healthy, vegan, allergy-friendly & gluten-free recipes and she always has such great tips and tricks for cooking. I’ve learned a lot from her and this quinoa trick is one of my favorites. I just HAD to share it with you! So, thank you Elaine!

    Perfectly Cooked QuinoaOk, let me show you how simple this is. Start by boiling your water then adding the quinoa. You can use white quinoa, red, or multicolored like I did here. Makes no difference.

    Perfectly Cooked QuinoaThen give it a stir and let the quinoa boil for 5 minutes! Yes, let it boil for 5 minutes! Just do it.

    After 5 minutes, cover and turn OFF the heat. Yes, turn it off, and let sit for 20 minutes. No peeking!

    Perfectly Cooked QuinoaAfter 20 minutes open the lid and fluff with a fork for the most perfect quinoa ever! You gotta try it!

    Print
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    Perfectly Cooked Quinoa

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    Description

    Step by step instructions for how to make perfectly cooked quinoa every time. 


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 cups water (or chicken stock)
    • 1 cup uncooked quinoa (white, red or multicolored)

    Instructions

    1. Add the water or stock to a small pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
    2. Pour in the quinoa and give a stir. Let quinoa boil for 5 minutes, then turn off the heat.
    3. Cover pot and let sit off the heat for 20 minutes. No need to touch or peek! Remove lid and fluff with a fork!

    Notes

    * Store extra quinoa in the fridge or freezer. Thaw frozen quinoa in the fridge overnight.
    * Recipe can easily be doubled!

    Adapted from Eating by Elaine

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @lifeisbutadish on Instagram and hashtag it #lifeisbutadish

    Perfectly Cooked Quinoa

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    Filed Under: Healthy, Quick & Easy, Sides Tagged With: eating by Elaine, how to cook quinoa, Life is but a Dish, Quinoa

    Reader Interactions

      Leave a comment & rate this recipe Cancel reply

      If you love this recipe, please consider giving it a star rating when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. Your support means the world and is greatly appreciated!

      xo, Laney

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

      Comments

    1. Cristina

      August 07, 2019 at 4:12 am

      Loved this recipe! So easy and delicious!!! Thank you!

      Reply
    2. Dani

      July 04, 2019 at 11:07 am

      Oh no!!! This didn’t work for me and I’m making food for a BBQ this afternoon. When you turn off the burner do you leave the pot on THAT burner, or move to one that hasn’t been on at all? I moved off the burner.

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        July 09, 2019 at 5:01 pm

        Oh no! Really? I’ve done both and I’ve never had it not work!

    3. Krysten@freshfitkitchen

      September 17, 2017 at 7:08 am

      Making this right now so I can have quinoa breakfast bowls all week long! YAY! 😉 Thanks for the tip!

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        September 17, 2017 at 2:24 pm

        Such a great idea!!

    4. Miranda

      April 28, 2017 at 7:09 pm

      This is so good to know! I love making quinoa and definitely have to try this next time!

      Reply
    5. Baker by Nature

      April 28, 2017 at 3:10 pm

      This really does look perfect!

      Reply
    6. Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons

      April 27, 2017 at 8:41 am

      although I’ve mostly switched to my Instant Pot for making quinoa, I’m super happy to have this back up recipe!

      Reply
    7. Jackie Garvin

      April 26, 2017 at 2:00 pm

      I’ve never cooked quinoa at home. This post will be a great resource for me.

      Reply
    8. Julie

      March 14, 2017 at 3:59 pm

      Hi Laney, do you rinse and drain your quinoa before you cook it?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        March 15, 2017 at 11:10 am

        Hi Julie! I don’t!

    9. Juli Cavanaugh

      March 02, 2017 at 3:03 pm

      I made quinoa this way last night. BRILLIANT! So easy. Thanks, Laney!

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        March 03, 2017 at 10:33 pm

        Yay!! so happy!

    10. Linda

      February 28, 2017 at 3:04 pm

      What does quinoa taste like ? Never tried.

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        March 01, 2017 at 12:00 pm

        It actually doesn’t have much flavor at all! It definitely needs to be flavored/dressed with whatever you want! I always like a little lemon juice and/or olive oil and a pinch of salt

    11. Alli

      February 23, 2017 at 5:43 pm

      This is so great! I haven’t made quinoa in forever now I must!

      Reply
    12. Elena Reinisch

      February 23, 2017 at 2:51 pm

      This is very helpful, thank you!

      Reply
    13. DessertForTwo

      February 23, 2017 at 5:48 am

      You make quinoa so pretty! Thanks for the tips!

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        February 23, 2017 at 2:37 pm

        You’re welcome!

    14. Megan @ MegUnprocessed

      February 23, 2017 at 12:56 am

      Great tips! Very helpful especially for first-time quinoa eaters.

      Reply
    15. Amy

      February 22, 2017 at 7:55 pm

      Wow! Who knew it was actually so simple. Isn’t that the way things usually go, we end up making everything more difficult than it should be? I’m so trying this next time I make quinoa.

      Reply
    16. fabiola@notjustbaked

      February 22, 2017 at 1:55 pm

      Totally perfect and fluffy!

      Reply
    17. Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons

      February 22, 2017 at 1:29 pm

      Such a smart way to do it! And simple!

      Reply
    18. Kristen Chidsey

      February 22, 2017 at 6:11 am

      I have to try this method! I have never had issues with quinoa, but this method is easier!

      Reply
    19. Liz

      February 21, 2017 at 6:12 pm

      SO easy! This is genius!

      Reply
    20. Elaine Gordon

      February 16, 2017 at 6:24 am

      Well done! I am so happy I stumbled upon this trick and that I can share it with the world! Thanks for helping to spread the news! 🙂

      Reply

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