41 Healthy Quinoa Recipes to Add to Your Rotation
The best quinoa recipes don’t follow a script—honestly, they don’t have to. Blessed with a subtly nutty flavor and distinct texture, the versatile pseudo-grain shines in everything it touches: breakfast bowls, veggie burgers, baked goods, and beyond. It’s delicious when warm, cool, or at room temperature. Meryl Streep would kill for its range.
The protein-packed grain hails from South America, where it’s been cultivated for millennia by people in what we now call Peru and Chile. Whether it’s your first time preparing quinoa, or you’re a lifelong fan, this pantry powerhouse has seemingly limitless potential. Here are a few of our favorite healthyish quinoa recipes for every kitchen.
Photo by Mark Diacono1/41Tomato and Cherry Quinoa With Pistachios
With less than 10 ingredients (including salt and olive oil), this quinoa recipe is quick, easy, and can be scaled up to serve a crowd. Swap in chopped dates or golden raisins for the cherries or use parsley or cilantro instead of mint.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell3/41Sumac Baked Fish With Saffron Quinoa
Saffron-scented quinoa stands in for the traditional rice in this Persian-inspired dinner. Try it with salmon, striped bass, or catfish.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton4/41Grain Bowls With Chicken, Spiced Chickpeas, and Avocado
This quinoa bowl with crispy chickpeas and herby dressing is on the table in just 20 minutes. Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken or start with our Simple Roast Chicken recipe.
By Paul Brissman5/41Chickpea, Quinoa, and White Bean Chili
Make of this chili from Queer Eye food guy Antoni Porowski what you like. As is, the protein-rich soup is vegan, but you should feel free to top it with cheddar cheese and sour cream if that’s in your wheelhouse. (Or cashew cream and avocado if it isn’t.)
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone7/41Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin With a Mediterranean Grain Salad
“Always a hit,” says one reader about this easy recipe with three optional flavor-building levels. If you go for version No. 3 and don’t do wine, swap in homemade or store-bought chicken broth.
Photo by Candice Kumai10/41Avocado-Miso-Mushroom Bowl
You can top this flexible grain bowl with whatever produce you have in your kitchen. The miso dressing would also be a tasty sauce for grilled fish or chicken.
Photo by Jennifer Davick11/41Crunchy Quinoa Salad
Cooking grains in vegetable broth gives them lots of savory flavor. This quinoa salad recipe is endlessly adaptable—stir in whatever green things and crunchy things you’ve got.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson12/41Grain Bowl Soup
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton13/41Saffron Quinoa With Dried Cherries and Almonds
15/41Breakfast Cookies
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Hampton19/41Grain Bowl With Spiced Squash, Mushrooms, and Curried Yogurt
Swap the red onion for leeks or the squash for diced sweet potatoes—just don’t skip the curried yogurt, which ties the whole dish together. Serve it warm or at room temperature, topped with chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
donna hay magazine, photography by William Meppem20/41Quinoa, Lime and Chili-Crumbed Snapper With Sweet Potato Wedges
Photo by Christopher Testani25/41Farmers Market Quinoa Salad
Don’t obsess over getting these exact ingredients or precise combinations; this quinoa salad recipe is infinitely customizable. Try crunchy red bell peppers or cucumbers instead of sugar snap peas or green beans and use any nuts and tender herbs you like.
Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich29/41Whole Grain Pancakes With Blackberries
Photo by Alex Lau32/41Quinoa Bowl With Lentils and Mustard Vinaigrette
Cooking lentils and quinoa together in advance minimizes prep time and makes life exponentially easier. Swap in parsley or basil for the mint and sprinkle on shavings of any cheese you have on hand.
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich34/41Grilled Chicken and Quinoa With Matcha Dressing
The secret to this Green Goddess 2.0 dressing is matcha, which gives the whole dish an elegantly earthy undertone. To make it vegan, omit the feta cheese, swap in plant-based mayo, and trade the chicken for charred salt-and-pepper tofu.
Photograph by Paola + Murray, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Sophia Pappas35/41Radicchio With Hot Honey Vinaigrette and Cotija
Quinoa adds heft to this salad of bitter lettuces, richly toasted nuts, salty cheese, and vibrant dressing. Pro tip: You’re gonna want extra vinaigrette to drizzle on pizza, grilled cheese, frozen dumplings—and, well, basically everything else.
Peden & Munk36/415-Grain Porridge With Bee Pollen, Apples, and Coconut
Don’t stress if you don’t have all five grains. This cinnamon-scented stunner is equally delicious with whatever combination of quinoa, brown rice, and other dried goods you’ve got.
Romulo Yanes37/41Summer Squash and Red Quinoa Salad With Walnuts
This easy recipe uses quinoa and sliced summer squash for texture and flavor. If you don’t like walnuts, substitute whatever crunchy nuts you like best.
Photo by Chris Court and William Meppem39/41Quinoa and Sweet Potato Bakes
These gluten-free treats make a great breakfast or energizing afternoon snack. Swap in white or red quinoa; and use homemade caramelized onions.
Photo by Chelsie Craig41/41Instant Pot Red Bean and Quinoa Soup With Taco Fixins
“Absolutely love this! I make it just as it’s written,” one reader raves about this quick and easy quinoa recipe. Prep the toppings while the dried beans and grains cook together in the Instant Pot.
