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22 Quinoa Recipes You'll Keep Coming Back To

Updated on February 15, 2024

There aren't many ingredients more versatile than quinoa. This high-protein seed is used much like a grain and serves as the base for bowls, salads and even pizza crust.

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Photo: Stephen Johnson ©

Our Best Ideas for Quinoa

The next time you’re thinking about making rice, why not try quinoa instead? The tiny, high-protein whole grain from South America has been around for thousands of years; if you’re not already eating it regularly, now’s the time. It cooks more quickly than rice and is virtually foolproof — in fact, cooking quinoa to fluffy perfection takes only five simple steps. It’s lighter and more nutritious than other grains too. You can make a quinoa salad in minutes, use it in stuffed peppers, pair it with salmon and more. In this Mexican-inspired bowl, crunchy tortilla chips and roasted pepitas are nicely complemented by avocado cream and hearty quinoa. You can make a big batch of quinoa and keep it frozen in resealable bags for up to a month. Just thaw and reheat as needed. Having an arsenal of the premade stuff in your freezer will help cut down prep time on busy nights!

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Photo: Matt Armendariz ©

Grilled Scallops with Orange-Scented Quinoa

Quinoa takes on a whole new flavor when infused with orange zest and dressed with fresh citrus juice; it makes the perfect accompaniment to grilled scallops.

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Teriyaki Salmon Quinoa Bowls

Punch up your quinoa with Asian-inspired flavor by adding soy sauce and scallion. For an easy, tasty dinner, top the quinoa with shiitake mushrooms, bok choy and teriyaki-marinated salmon.

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Photo: Tara Donne ©

Herbed Quinoa

Nutty and protein-packed, quinoa doesn't need much dressing up: A simple vinaigrette and some chopped herbs are enough to turn this grain into a hearty side for fish, chicken or meat.

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