Learning how to cook quinoa on the stove is easy! By boiling this nutty, earthy grain in a pot with the perfect water ratio and for the right amount of time, your quinoa will be fluffy, light, and tender in a matter of minutes. If you want to learn how to make perfect quinoa on the stove top, keep reading!
How to Cook Quinoa on the Stove Ingredients
Cooking quinoa on the stove is quick and easy because there are so few ingredients:
White Quinoa Grains – 1/2 cup (94g)
Water – 1 cup (usually, 1 cup is 240g, but I used about 194g to maintain the 2:1 water to quinoa ratio)
Salt – a small pinch (at most 1/8 teaspoon)
Black Pepper – a small pinch (at most 1/8 teaspoon)
Tools:
Pot – For boiling the quinoa.
Lid – For covering the grains so they can absorb the water and turn out fluffy.
Fork – To fluff the quinoa.
Large Spoon – For stirring and serving.
How to Cook Quinoa on the Stove Recipe
Learning how to cook quinoa on the stove top is easy: just follow a few, simple steps:
If Not Pre-Washed, Rinse the Quinoa
The quinoa package I used for this recipe said that it was pre-washed, so I didn’t rinse the grains. However, if your quinoa is homegrown or from a farmer, put the grains into a fine-mesh strainer or sieve and run them under cold water for 30-45 seconds to remove the bitter chemicals.
Bring Water to a Boil on the Stove
If you don’t need to wash the quinoa, the first step of the recipe is bringing the water to a boil on the stove. You’ll turn the heat to low or medium-low once you add the quinoa, but you can start with high heat if you want. As stated earlier, you need 2 parts of water for every 1 part of raw quinoa.
Add Salt and Pepper (Optional)
For more flavor, add a small pinch of salt and black pepper to the water. For more ideas on how to flavor quinoa, keep reading.
Once the Water Comes to a Boil, Add the Quinoa to the Pot
When the water comes to a full boil, pour in the quinoa. Use a large spoon to lightly stir the quinoa to make sure it’s evenly distributed within the pot.
Cover the Pot and Simmer on Low / Medium-Low for 10 Minutes
Once the quinoa grains are evenly distributed, turn the heat down to low / medium-low (I set it to gasmark 2 out of 6), cover the pot, and simmer the quinoa for 10 minutes.
Turn off the Heat and Fluff the Quinoa
After simmering the quinoa, take off the top and use the large spoon or a fork to fluff it. This will help ensure that it doesn’t turn out soggy. Be careful when taking off the lid since the steam will be heat.
Let the Quinoa Sit, Covered, for 5-10 Minutes so the Quinoa Can Absorb the Excess Water
Then, put the cover back on the pot, and let the quinoa sit for 5-10 minutes. This will give any residual water time to either be absorbed into the quinoa grains or evaporate into the air. In the video I let it sit for 15 minutes, but 5-10 minutes is fine–just check the grains for any remaining moisture
How To Tell if the Quinoa is Done
As explained in an EatingWell.com article, you know quinoa is done when the grain looks “popped.” In my video I say that popped quinoa is larger than raw and appears to have a light center, a dark circle around it, and another light circle around it.
Serve!
Now it’s time to served your quinoa. Enjoy!
How to Cook Quinoa on the Stove FAQ’s
Although making quinoa on the stove top is easy, here are answers to a few frequently asked questions to help you avoid any possible issues:
Do You Need to Soak Quinoa?
No, you do not need to soak quinoa. According to DrWeil.com, soaking quinoa can cause the bitter-tasting saponins normally found on the outer coating to leach deep into the seeds, making the unpleasant flavor impossible to remove. All you need is a quick rinse and your quinoa is ready to cook.
Do You Have to Rinse Quinoa?
No. According to FoodNetwork.com, most storebought quinoa is pre-washed, removing the bitter-tasting chemicals called saponins, so commercially-available quinoa usually doesn’t need to be rinsed before cooking. If you’re not sure, check the package to see if it says “pre-washed/rinsed.”
How to Rinse Quinoa
To rinse quinoa, place the raw grains in a fine-mesh sieve, making sure the holes are small enough to not allow the seeds to pass through. Then, run the raw quinoa under cold water for 30-45 minutes, watching for when the water passing through the strainer turns from white to clear then add the quinoa to boiling water for cooking or set aside in a bowl. Be aware that the wet grains will stick to the bowl.
How to Rinse Quinoa Without a Strainer?
To rinse quinoa without a strainer, food blogger Aysegul of FoodProolLiving.com suggests using cheesecloth, nut milk bag, French press, or a basket-style coffee filter. As stated previously, just make sure the holes are small enough the quinoa won’t pass through the small holes.
How Long Does Cooked Quinoa Last in the Fridge?
If stored in a sealed container, quinoa should last 3-5 days in the fridge. After more than 5 days, the grains will likely start getting soggy and the risk of mold starts increasing.
How to Reheat Quinoa
As explained by JanesKitchenMiracles.com, the best way to reheat quinoa is in the microwave.. First, place it in a bowl, fluff with a fork, cover with a damp paper towel, and then microwave on high for 30 seconds, then check to see if it needs more time.
Why Is My Quinoa Mushy?
If your quinoa is mushy, the grains didn’t absorb all the water. This could be because you used too much water, or maybe you took off the lid to check on the quinoa too many times.
Fix mushy quinoa by placing the lid back on the pot and cooking the quinoa on low heat for a few more minutes. If you’re tempted to take off the lid to check on the quinoa, a TheDailyMeal.com article suggests using a glass lid so you can see the quinoa as it cooks.
Cooking Other Types of Quinoa
Different colors of quinoa take more or less time to cook. Here’s a quick breakdown for your reference:
Red Quinoa:
To cook red quinoa on the stove, use the same procedure as for white quinoa–just simmer it longer, about 18 minutes, covered. Use the same 2:1 ration of water to uncooked grains.
Black Quinoa:
Cooking black quinoa takes longer than white or red, so simmer it on the stove for 20 minutes. Once again, use the same 2:1 ratio of water to raw quinoa.
Tricolor Quinoa:
Since the exact cooking time will depend on the ratio of white, red, and black quinoa in the tricolor mix, cook tricolor / rainbow quinoa for about 18-20 minutes. Refer to package directions for more guidance.
How to Cook Quinoa on the Stove Recipe Variations
For other ways to cook quinoa on the stove, you might want to consider:
Toasted Quinoa – For a more intense flavor, heat up 2 teaspoons of oil for 45-60 seconds, add the uncooked quinoa, and then stir for 5 minute. Eventually, the grains will turn golden brown and start smelling nutty. At that point, add the water and continue the recipe normally.
Boil in Bag – Boil-in-bag quinoa is a quick and easy way to make quinoa on the stove while ensuring it comes out perfectly fluffy every time.
Other Healthy Recipes
If you’re looking for more healthy recipes, you might want to try:
Beef Shank Soup with Vegetables – Plenty of meat, potatoes, and other vegetables make this amazing.
Microwave Applesauce for One – This thick, unsweetened applesauce has lemon to bring out the flavor.
Baked Butternut Squash – Learn how to cook butternut squash in the oven so it’s healthy and delicious.
More Argentinian Recipes
For more South American and Argentinian recipes, take a look at:
Carrot Salad – Grated carrot, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt are surprisingly good together.
How to Cook Milanesa Steak in the Oven – Baking milanesa in the oven is a lot healthier than frying it.
Chimichurri Sauce Recipe – This classic Argentinian steak sauce is full of tangy garlic flavor.
How to Cook Quinoa on the Stove Recipe Instructions
How to Cook Quinoa on the Stove
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup uncooked white quinoa (94g)
- 1 cup water (normally, 1 cup is 240g, but I used about 194g to maintain the 2:1 water to uncooked quinoa ratio)
- small pinch salt (less than 1/8 teaspoon)
- small pinch black pepper (less then 1/8 teaspoon)
Instructions
- If your quinoa isn’t pre-rinsed, put it in a fine-mesh strainer and wash it with cold water for 30-45 seconds. Set the washed quinoa aside.
- Pour the water into a pot on the stove, add the salt and pepper, and bring it to a boil.
- Once the water comes to a boil, add the quinoa to the water and stir to distribute the grains evenly.
- Cover the pot and turn down the heat to low / medium-low (I set it to gasmark 2 out of 6) and simmer the quinoa for 10 minutes.
- After boiling the quinoa for 10 minutes, turn off the heat, take off the lid, and fluff the quinoa with a fork.
- Then, put the lid back on the pot and let the quinoa sit for 5-10 minutes so it can absorb any residual water.
- Finally, serve and enjoy!
YouTube Video
Be sure to watch my YouTube video tutorial, too:
