Make Fluffy Quinoa (Just in 30 minutes)

• Food: Fluffy Quinoa
• Writer: Lizzie Green
• Content-Type: Food Blog

With this tried-and-true method, you’ll be able to cook beautiful and fluffy quinoa every time. Then add it to salads or bowls.

Back-to-school season is meal prep season for a lot of you. Having meals ready to grab and go in the fridge can be a lifesaver when you settle into a new routine at work, at home, or at school.

Having a cooked grain on hand to bulk up salads or add to bowls is one of my go-to meal prep recommendations.

Quinoa is one of my all-time faves because it’s super healthful, goes with a variety of flavors, and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare!

Everyone has their own method for cooking quinoa, but this is the one I’ve been doing for years and it always turns out perfectly. Light, fluffy, and soft, but not mushy grains.

If you want to get a head start on the week, make a large quantity and store it in the refrigerator for quick lunches and dinners! You’ll be glad you did it later.

What exactly is quinoa?

Although I frequently confuse quinoa with millet, farro, rice, and other grains, it is truly a grain-like seed native to South America! It not only has a great nutty flavor, but it’s also nutritious.

Quinoa has more than 8 grams of protein per cup, compared to 5 grams in brown rice. It’s also high in minerals including manganese, magnesium, and copper.

More information on the health advantages of quinoa can be found here, but the key line is that even a modest quantity of it in your diet can be beneficial.

It comes in a number of hues, including black, red, white, and a combination of the three, but each variation cooks in the same way.

Because lighter types have the mildest flavor, I recommend starting with white before moving on to red or black if you’re experiencing it for the first time.

Before you start cooking, keep in mind that quinoa is coated in saponins, which are naturally occurring pesticides.

Rinse quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer before putting it on the stove, as it can give the grain a bitter taste and make it harder to digest. You’re ready to cook once you’ve rinsed it!

Quinoa Cooking Instructions

I add oil and salt to the saucepan when I cook rice, but preparing quinoa is even easier. Quinoa and water are all you need! When it comes to cooking quinoa, there are a variety of water ratios to choose from.

Some recipes ask for a water-to-grain ratio of 2:1, while others call for a ratio of 1 1/2:1. The sweet spot for light, fluffy quinoa, in my opinion, is just in the middle.

For every cup of quinoa, I use 1 3/4 cup of water. If you add any additional water, the quinoa will get mushy. It’s too dry if it’s any less.

After you’ve measured each, follow these simple instructions:

1. In a medium pot, combine the quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes on low heat.
2. Remove the saucepan from the heat and cover it for another 10 minutes.
3. After then, take the cover off and fluff with a fork!

Your quinoa is now fluffy and delicious, but it’s a bit bland on its own. Season it first if you’re serving it as a simple side dish. Toss it with salt, pepper, lemon or lime juice, and a dab of olive oil at the absolute least.

Stir with chopped herbs, minced garlic, roasted almonds, or crumbled feta cheese, or use it in one of the quinoa dishes below to take it to the next level!

Fluffy Quinoa

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 1 3/4 cups water

Make ideal light, fluffy quinoa every time with this simple, reliable approach!

Instructions For Fluffy Quinoa

1. In a medium pot, combine the quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and continue to cook for 15 minutes.
2. Remove from the heat and set aside for another 10 minutes, covered.
3. Using a fork, fluff the mixture.