16 Recipes That Will Make You Love Quinoa
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Quinoa is a seed that we love to cook as a grain. It’s high in protein, has all 9 essential amino acids just like meat, and is a great way to make a large variety of salads this season. The trick to making quinoa taste good is two-fold. The first thing you have to do is rinse it well. Not a quick rinse, but a few minutes under running water. All the foam that rises on top should be gone when you are done. This will get rid of that bitter flavor everyone hates. It’s a natural coating that has to be rinsed off, and that won’t happen with a quick rinse. Take your time and rinse it well.
The second step is simply to season your quinoa well. Once the bitter flavor is gone, you can season quinoa in many of the same ways you would season rice. Add all your favorite ingredients and maybe some dressing, and you have yourself a fantastic meal or side dish. Need some inspiration? These sixteen quinoa recipes should get you moving in the right direction.
One quick tip is to also not overcook quinoa. If you end up with mush, you over-cooked it. Quinoa should be cooked according to package directions to get a loose and perfectly cooked result.
1. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
This Mediterranean quinoa salad can be mixed with chicken for meat lovers or even enjoyed as the main dish as it is for the vegetarian in your life. Prefer it as a side dish? It works great for that too. It also packs well for lunch the next day.
2. Southwestern Quinoa Bowl
If you love Southwestern flavors, this Southwestern quinoa bowl is the dish you want to try. All the flavors you loved mixed with delicious quinoa. Enjoy it for lunch or dinner and add any meat you like if you prefer to have it with meat. This salad is versatile and can handle shrimp, chicken, beef, or pork.
3. Fresh Veggie Quinoa Salad
If fresh veggie flavors are at the top of your to-cook list, don’t forget to add this fresh veggie quinoa salad to the top of that list. The refreshing flavors of fresh produce shine in this delicious quinoa dish.
4. Breakfast Quinoa
Breakfast quinoa is a delicious, plant-based start to your day. Packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and some delicious ripe berries, it’s a great morning meal. If you need breakfast on the go, it packs and travels well too.
5. Chickpea Quinoa Salad
Fresh basil and chickpeas come together in this summery chickpea quinoa salad for a delicious side dish or main course. The nutty flavors are perfectly complimented by the basil, and the plant-based protein is a total bonus.
6. Chicken Quinoa Salad With Apples
This chicken quinoa salad with apples is a delightful blend of sweet and savory. It’s packed with regular and plant-based protein and gives you a healthy dose of fiber as well. It’s a great salad to make if you have some leftover chicken you need to use up from dinner the night before.
7. Quinoa Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
This quinoa-stuffed spaghetti squash is a fantastic way to get plant-based protein and plenty of healthy veggies. Serve as is or with a side of meat. Just scoop out some deliciousness and add salt and pepper to your liking. You can even sprinkle some parmesan over the top.
8. Avocado Quinoa Salad
Once again, summer produce shines when paired with quinoa. Avocados and fresh tomatoes come together to make this delicious avocado quinoa salad. It’s perfect for potlucks, barbecues, and get-togethers.
9. Green Bean Quinoa Salad
Green bean lovers will adore this green bean quinoa salad. It offers plenty of vegetable crunch and plant-based protein from the quinoa while creating a big bowl of yum. This makes a perfect side dish or plant-based main course.
10. Quinoa Chili
If you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen, you can make this comforting quinoa chili in under 30 minutes. It’s the perfect dinner and it’s even better the next day if you pack it for lunch. Serve it with a side of crunchy garlic bread.
11. Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
While this salad tends to have more fall flavors, there is no reason to avoid enjoying this in summer. This butternut squash quinoa salad has deliciously nutty flavors and is truly a very comforting meal.
12. Cranberry Pecan Quinoa Salad
This fan favorite has a touch of sweetness to it that pairs perfectly with the pecans. Cranberry pecan quinoa salad is great paired with grilled meats and veggies. Serve it as a side dish, or chop up some cooked chicken to toss into this to make it a full salad-type meal.
13. Baby Kale Quinoa Salad
Baby kale quinoa salad is a great option for lunch. Pack it the night before and enjoy a healthy salad during your lunch hour without spending a ton of money at a restaurant. It’s healthy and delicious, and you can use your favorite dressing to top it off. A creamy Italian dressing would be amazing with this.
14. Garlic Parmesan Quinoa
For all you cheesy food lovers, this garlic parmesan quinoa is the side dish you want at your next barbecue. The parmesan makes this as cheesy as quinoa can be, and the fresh flavor combo of basil and tomatoes compliments that well.
15. Vegetable Quinoa
Need to eat more veggies? This vegetable quinoa is a great way to get more veg into your eating plan. Packed with good-for-you veggies and plenty of plant-based protein, you can’t go wrong with this one for dinner tonight.
16. Mushroom Quinoa Salad
Mushrooms and chicken come together with quinoa and fresh herbs to make this mushroom quinoa salad. It’s a simple, quick-to-make recipe that pairs well with pretty much anything else you want to make for dinner tonight.
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