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
