11 Quinoa Recipes to Bring Whole Grains to Every Meal (2024)

Quinoa (pronounced like KEEN-wah) is a whole grain known for its high protein and fiber content. It makes a wonderful alternative to rice and is delicious hot or cold. Here you'll find our favorite quinoa recipes, including quinoa salad, quinoa chicken dishes, and more. Get tips for cooking quinoa along the way, too.

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Quinoa Pilaf

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If rice pilaf is a go-to side dish for you, try swapping it with this fiber-rich quinoa recipe. This easy healthy side is packed with fresh veggies including mushrooms, onions, kale or spinach, and zucchini. Serve with cooked chicken breast for a quick and healthy meal.

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Honey-Soaked Quinoa Salad with Cherries and Cashews

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This nutrient-packed quinoa recipe picks up hints of ginger, lime, garlic, and sweet cherries. The homemade honey vinaigrette is so good, you might even want to make extra to keep on hand for all your salads. When cooking quinoa, make sure to rinse it first through a fine-mesh sieve. Quinoa contains a natural coating called saponin, which can often give a soapy or bitter taste.

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Pizza Margherita Quinoa Casserole

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Who needs crust? All the pizza fans in the house will adore this healthier take on pizza. Here our Test Kitchen made an incredible one-pot meal that starts by cooking the quinoa on the stove. From there, the casserole gets topped with cheese and baked until it's bubbly and delicious.

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Black-Eyed Pea & Quinoa Salad

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Those tiny legumes often enjoyed for luck at the start of a new year are an excellent choice for adding fiber and vitamin A to your meal. Whip up this quinoa salad recipe and store it up to 24 hours before enjoying. Once it's time to eat, gently stir in some avocado for a creamy bite.

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Quinoa & Chicken Tabbouleh Bowls

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Ready for a stick-to-your-ribs quinoa recipe? Dive into this colorful quinoa bowl studded with fresh veggies and chopped herbs. Oh, and it's a slow-cooker recipe so all you'll have to do is dump in the chicken, liquid, and quinoa. When it's finished, just shred the chicken; add the fresh cucumber, tomatoes, parsley, and green onions, and then chill it until you are ready to eat.

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Zucchini Cupcakes with Greek Yogurt Frosting

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It's not often the words "healthy" and "cupcakes" are used in the same sentence. So what's the secret? Quinoa, applesauce, and zucchini bring a healthy twist to these tasty cupcakes. If you're more of a chocolate fan, take a browse through our roundup of healthy chocolate recipes.

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Kale-Quinoa Bowls with Miso Dressing and Tuna

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If you're looking for a fresh dinner idea, try this amazing quinoa bowl recipe. Giving tuna a quick sear on the grill will add a delicious flavor to your meal. And as weird as it sounds, it's important to give the kale a good massage to allow it to get nice and tender for eating.

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Greek Quinoa and Avocado Salad

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With four stars and more than 100 reviews, this might be one of our best quinoa recipes ever. Fresh vegetables, creamy avocados, and savory feta cheese team up with quinoa for a quick quinoa recipe that can work for a vegetarian main dish or side. Brush avocado slices with additional lemon juice to prevent browning.

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Mexican Spatchco*ck Chicken with Quinoa Salad

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Spatchco*cking chicken is a process that involves removing the backbone of the chicken, making an impressive display for your main course. Here a unique pepper-and-orange marinade gives this spiced spatchco*ck chicken its bold flavor. Pair with a tropical mango- and black bean-studded quinoa salad for a complete (and totally delicious!) Mexican-inspired meal.

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Peanut Butter and Fruit Quinoa

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11 Quinoa Recipes to Bring Whole Grains to Every Meal (10)

Start your day with a protein-packed bowl of PB&J! You can use any spreadable fruit that you have on hand, though strawberry and raspberry preserves compliment the nutty quinoa especially well. Stir in some chopped banana and top with sliced apple and peanuts for a hearty meal that will keep you going all morning long.

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Quinoa and Butternut Bowl

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If you want an easy quinoa recipe that's loaded with bright flavor, look no further. Put your fresh-from-the-garden parsley, chives, and butternut squash to good use in this delicious quinoa bowl that makes a satisfying breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Bonus points if you top it with a poached egg and some fresh, peppery radish sprouts.