Quinoa is a healthy grain that leaves you feeling satisfied, not deprived. This post will explore the benefits of this versatile superfood, and share 12 healthy quinoa recipes you’ll love!
When I first discovered quinoa several years back, I used it like we probably all did in the beginning – as a plain healthy side. I mean, quinoa replaces rice perfectly, and it actually cooks quicker than rice which makes it awesome.
But, I’ve learned, quinoa can do so much more! And it has a lot of potential.
So I gathered my best quinoa recipes and listed them here for you. All in one place, and all good for you! Because listen, quinoa can do everything; main dishes, salads, healthy sides, healthy breakfast recipes, and even desserts!
But, before discussing all the recipes with quinoa, I have to tell you more about quinoa – the health benefits of quinoa, how to cook quinoa, and how to use quinoa. The info will make you even more excited about this wonderful superfood that everybody seems to love these days. Soon, you’ll love it, too!
Really, you’ll be missing out if you don’t include quinoa in your diet. It’s amazing my friends, so read on to learn more!
IS QUINOA HEALTHIER THAN RICE?
Would you believe that, per cup, quinoa has more protein than yogurt and double the amount of protein found in rice? Not only that, but quinoa is super easy to digest and the fiber keeps your digestive system humming along.
Quinoa is a popular choice for healthy eaters because it is…
- High in fiber and protein
- Filled with minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, and potassium
- A great source of all essential amino acids
- Gluten-free and a source of good carbs
Now comparing quinoa with rice:
- Rice and quinoa have pretty much the same carb content
- Quinoa contains more dietary fiber than rice
- Quinoa contains more protein than rice
I’m not saying rice isn’t a good choice, but I think quinoa is the better one. When you do eat rice, choose brown over white. Brown rice has more nutrients because it is less processed.
HOW TO COOK QUINOA
Most of my healthy quinoa recipes require cooked quinoa. So, naturally, before discussing the quinoa dishes, we have to learn how to cook quinoa. It’s super easy! Promise!
To make quinoa…
- If your quinoa has not been rinsed before being packaged, be sure to rinse well.
- In a saucepan, combine quinoa with water and salt.
- Cook over high heat and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and cook for additional 15-20 minutes (or until the liquid is absorbed) with the lid on.
- Fluff quinoa with a fork.
- Use cooked quinoa in your favorite healthy quinoa recipes.
IS QUINOA GOOD FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
Yes, quinoa is good for weight loss. It’s a grain that is high in protein and fiber, which are two components of food that fill you up. Being full and satisfied helps to keep you away from unhealthy foods that will sap you of energy and add on pounds. Protein also boosts your metabolism, which is good for weight loss.
More weight loss pluses for quinoa:
Low calorie: One cup of cooked organic white and red quinoa (according to USDA FoodData Central) is 160 calories. That’s a lot of quinoa and enjoying it in my Healthy Harvest Buddha Bowl, for example, gives you a ton of nutrients. You’ll be full, and feeling extra healthy, too.
Minerals: Quinoa has minerals like iron, manganese, and zinc. These and others are essential to our health. Iron, for example, carries oxygen to the blood and boosts your metabolism.
Low glycemic: Quinoa is low on the glycemic index, meaning that it is digested slowly and your blood sugar doesn’t rise too rapidly. These factors prevent overeating and thus, weight loss if combined with exercise and a healthy diet.
WHAT CAN I MAKE WITH QUINOA?
You can use quinoa for pretty much anything. Yes, ANYTHING! Quinoa is so versatile that I think I need a stronger word to describe it’s versatility.
Quinoa can be used…
- For a breakfast cereal in quinoa bowl recipes – I have one for you that’s totes amazing, BTW
- As a healthy substitute for rice in all your favorite recipes that involve rice
- As healthy stuffing for baked veggies
- In place of pasta in pasta dishes – quinoa noodles are also great
- For desserts to make them healthy (and give them an amazing crunchy texture)
- In salads to make them filling and satisfying
See? Quinoa can be used in so many dishes! For breakfast, try Healthy Egg Muffin Cups. Feel like quinoa at lunchtime instead? A Quinoa Lentil Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette is the perfect choice. Or for dinner, I love Ground Turkey and Quinoa Stuffed Zucchini Boats!
WHAT GOES WELL IN QUINOA?
Adding healthy additions to quinoa makes it even better. Some of the things I like to add are…
- Avocado
- Kale
- Black beans
- Onions
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Almonds
- Bell peppers
- Edamame
HOW DO I MAKE QUINOA TASTE GOOD?
Take a look at the recipes in this post to see how good quinoa can taste! Looking for ways to make quinoa extra delicious? Here are a few tips:
1. Add fresh herbs: Some of my favorite spices to add are thyme and garlic. But you can add whatever suits you to make a super savory healthy quinoa dish. That’s the beauty of quinoa—it’s super versatile!
2. Add coconut or coconut milk: This adds a little yummy sweetness!
3. Make a breakfast bowl: Quinoa for breakfast is amazing. You’ll start your day off with lots of protein and a little bit of healthy chocolate<–yum!
4. Add olive oil: Simply adding olive oil and a dash of sea salt brings quinoa to a whole new level!
5. Cook quinoa in broth or almond milk: Low sodium beef, chicken, or vegetable broth can add a nice variation to the quinoa. Breakfast bowls are even healthier when you cook the quinoa in almond milk.
6. Add your favorite veggies: I love roasted vegetables and quinoa! You can also pair quinoa with fresh veggies to make filling salads and use quinoa to add crunch and healthy goodness to your fave dishes.
7. Toast it: Toast quinoa before boiling it to enhance the flavors.
HEALTHY QUINOA RECIPES TO MAKE AT HOME
And now for all the healthy quinoa recipes! There are different sorts of recipes here: quinoa bowl recipes, quinoa dinner recipes, quinoa breakfast recipes, and quinoa desserts. All these dishes are easy to make. And to make them healthy, all you have to do is follow the steps for every recipe.
1. SPICY CAULIFLOWER BURGERS WITH SWEET POTATO BUNS
Sometimes, recipes with quinoa are disguised into delicious burgers like these Spicy Cauliflower Burgers With Sweet Potato Buns. So filling and tasty!
Recipe Notes:
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Calories: 415 kcal
2. HEALTHY EGG MUFFIN CUPS (GREAT FOR MEAL PREP!)
When I said quinoa is versatile, I meant it. There are so many recipes using quinoa you can try including breakfast recipes like my Healthy Egg Muffin Cups,
Recipe Notes:
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Calories: 102 kcal
3. SHEET PAN SAUSAGE AND VEGGIES – PERFECT FOR MEAL PREP, TOO!
The easiest quinoa dinner recipes? Sheet pan meals! They are always easy. This Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies meal has awesome flavors and is perfect for quinoa meal prep, too.
Recipe Notes:
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Calories: 536 kcal
4. GROUND TURKEY AND QUINOA STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS
Use quinoa as stuffing for healthy and yummy meals – another great answer for how to use quinoa. And try my Ground Turkey And Quinoa Stuffed Zucchini Boats to see how easy and delicious it actually is.
Recipe Notes:
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Calories: 420 kcal
5. QUICK AND EASY QUINOA PEANUT BRITTLE
Did you know that healthy quinoa recipes can make yummy sweet treats like this Quick and Easy Quinoa Peanut Brittle? Yup, quinoa is truly amazing! And the peanut brittle is so delish!
Recipe Notes:
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Calories: 123 kcal
6. FALL MEAL PREP ON THE GRILL
For a simple quinoa recipe, pair quinoa with grilled seasonal veggies and protein. This Fall Meal Prep on the Grill is the Fall version but it can be made year round. The flavors are amazeballs. Also great quinoa meal prep!
Recipe Notes:
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hr
- Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Calories: 477 kcal
7. QUINOA LENTIL SALAD WITH LEMON VINAIGRETTE
Make this Quinoa Lentil Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette for lunch or light quinoa dinner. I love the light zest of lemon from the vinaigrette.
Recipe Notes:
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Calories: 425 kcal
8. SPICY QUINOA AND BLACK BEAN ENCHILADAS
Quinoa recipes can help you make comfort food dishes healthy. This Spicy Quinoa and Black Bean Vegan Enchiladas is proof!
Recipe Notes:
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Calories: 445 kcal
9. CHOCOLATE QUINOA BREAKFAST BOWL
Out of all the quick quinoa recipes, this Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Bowl is my favorite! Because eating chocolate for breakfast without feeling guilty is my ultimate dream! Quinoa bowl recipes are also quick and easy so that’s also a plus!
Recipe Notes:
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Calories: 317 kcal
10. MAKE-AHEAD GREEK QUINOA STACKS
And speaking of quick quinoa recipes, these Make-Ahead Greek Quinoa Stacks are also pretty quick. They are ready in 30 minutes and perfect for grab-and-go lunches.
Recipe Notes:
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Calories: 591 kcal
11. QUINOA TACO STACKERS
What other recipes for quinoa I have? Hm, let’s see! What about these Quinoa Taco Stackers. Similar to the previous quinoa recipe but with different flavors. Taco flavors! YUMMY!
Recipe Notes:
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Calories: 587 kcal
12. HEALTHY QUINOA MAKE AHEAD CASSEROLE
Or this Healthy Quinoa Make Ahead Casserole. This is one of the best quinoa recipes! It involves quinoa noodles and it’s totes amazing. Quinoa noodles make quinoa recipes easy! And delicious!
Recipe Notes:
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Calories: 609 kcal
IS IT OKAY TO EAT QUINOA EVERY DAY?
This is a valid question after all of those enticing recipes, am I right? GOOD NEWS: Eating quinoa every day is most definitely okay! You’ve got protein, carbs, fiber, minerals—it’s all good! So, go ahead and make quinoa a part of your eating regimen. You can never go wrong with healthy quinoa recipes.
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